Tips for painting with coffee - part 1

Hmmm, the smell of fresh coffee - but don't just drink it, paint with it! I share tips and a few dos and don'ts for painting with coffee in this short film. No, I have not lost the plot. Painting with coffee is inexpensive and it's fun and because it's not 'proper' paint, it allows us to free up and experiment while learning all about tone and texture.
If you enjoy this film please hit like and subscribe, or even the notification bell so you will know when I next do a film. Usually I do one a week on a Sunday afternoon.
We will use watercolour paper and instant coffee, first to do a few experiments to work out how it behaves and then in a quick painting of some autumn grasses and teasels. It's great for monochrome landscapes, portraits or animal studies too.
You might find watching this film on using clingfilm/plastic wrap helpful: • How to use plastic wra...
You might also enjoy this film about glass pens, which I refer to: • Tips for drawing with ...
And here is part 2: • Tips for painting with...
#lizchaderton #coffeepainting #watercolour

[@kathleenthompson1569]

I absolutely love your techniques and the relaxed way you teach. I'm now going to try painting with coffee, it's an excellent way to use out of date coffee. Thank you

[@LizChadertonArt]

it smells good too! Have fun

[@OmegaRacer]

Thank you. Very helpful!

[@karenmason1731]

Oh my! I remember doing this at a fun little workshop years ago. Enjoyed watching. Thanks!

[@LizChadertonArt]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@suel4269]

Love this! You answered every question I could think of!

[@LizChadertonArt]

oh good. i do try to!

[@AlexandraBelloArt]

Oh, this is lovely! Beautiful art with coffe, I'm going to try it. Thanks for the tips!

[@LizChadertonArt]

Have fun! And it smells lovely!

[@johnoliveira2788]

Love this experiment! Thanks for sharing it. Cheers.

[@LizChadertonArt]

and it smells so nice!

[@chiarasola826]

Oh what a lovely idea! 🤩

[@LizChadertonArt]

it smells lovely while you are painting!

[@karolfrench5816]

Great. Sepia. Coffee and marmite. Perfect. What a fantastic tutorial THANKYOU

[@LizChadertonArt]

Painting with Marmite would be pretty sticky!!!😂

[@paperplanenomad]

Ooh this was really interesting, thanks for sharing your findings - especially about it drying shiny sometimes! That had confused me a bit in some other videos where I thought they were removing their border tape while the painting was still wet 😂 I'll have to check out part 2!

[@LizChadertonArt]

it’s odd, but the thicker applications do shine….

[@bigblue6917]

Well finally. A use for coffee granules. I certainly would not drink it. I must admit that when I read the title I did have a vision of you dipping your paintbrush in a cappuccino and having a frothy brush

[@LizChadertonArt]

I think we’ve all done that by accident!

[@IcsulX]

Have you tried adding a bit of gum arabic, or using the coffee with a binder? It might reduce the extreme lifting.

[@LizChadertonArt]

No I haven't. I quite like the way it moves. I guess Aquafix might work....

[@kathrynlehotsky2815]

Fun video.

[@LizChadertonArt]

It is a good change from using watercolour and smells great!

[@kellyhalligan1328]

Interesting!

[@LizChadertonArt]

Glad you think so!

[@barbaramilbradt2188]

It's a nice shade of brown.

[@LizChadertonArt]

Yes, a lovely warm brown ans smells good too

[@susanhepburn6040]

I don't drink coffee or have it in the house but it was nonetheless interesting to see. Thank you!

[@LizChadertonArt]

you could try tea, or herbal teas, or red wine? the point is that painting with something which isn’t ‘proper’ can be very freeing.

[@lalawoods3702]

Thank you for a really interesting video Liz. I was going to ask you if the coffee faded but you answered my question so I don’t need to. I wonder what the difference is between painting with coffee or an umber or a Van Dyke? You’re going to tell me to try it and see!

[@LizChadertonArt]

As if I would say that!!! The coffee dries shiny when used strong, whereas the watercolour wouldn't. Watercolour is easier to layer and get really dark. It's just a bit of fun which loosens you up, as it is not 'proper' paint....

[@paulalotte1146]

Well I'll be!!! That is the coolest thing! Thank you, Liz, for sharing those tips and demonstrations with coffee. What I'm curious to know is how it would withstand using a protective wax ...would it reconstitute and wipe off while applying wax? And does it even need a protective layer at all? Would it fade over time as some watercolor paints do?

[@LizChadertonArt]

The Dow I showed was painted at least 4 years ag and has not faded, but I cannot tell if 25 years on it would still be ok. I have never waxed, but vest thing is to try a small area. I would expect it to be fine as irs water soluble coffee not oil/waxed based. But I would do a test first. It wouldn’t harm to do a uv protection coat if you paint something you love.

[@LizChadertonArt]

Just had a go at waxing the fox. No smearing at all. It's quite nice as it unites the picture, because there were shiny bits from the thick coffee. So go for it!!

[@paulalotte1146]

Oh thank you so much, Liz, for trying it out and with such a quick reply! You're awesome!

[@LizChadertonArt]

@@paulalotte1146 I was curious!!

[@pamwheeler6161]

I used instant coffee, a medium-ish color on a canvas panel. I let it dry and repeated with a 2nd wash of coffee . It has been 2 weeks and the canvas panel is very tacky. Why is that? If I touch it, there's a light finger print. Is there any way to correct this. I'm so glad I came across your channel while searching for answers! You have a new subscriber! Thank you!

[@LizChadertonArt]

I’ve noticed that concentrated instant coffee has a shine - I haven’t had it stay tacky. Do you live somewhere humid? I presume it is hydroscopic and attracts moisture from the air. Think what an old jar of instant goes like…. all I can think is gently dry with a hair drier and seal with spray varnish immediately before it can absorb more water. it’s a guess, so let me know if it works!

[@pamwheeler6161]

I appreciate you getting back to me. No humidity. (At this time, and never indoors) I have used a heat gun multiple times. Last night, I used a lint free cloth to blot it. And blot it. And blot it! Ha! To no avail. Should I just accept it as a lost cause? Do you think the panel can be saved with gesso? I've never had the tackiness coffee staining papers! I have use walnut spray and walnut stain made with crystals on canvas panels and there was never an issue. I just don't get it! Thank you so much for your advice! I really appreciate it!

[@moonchaserstudio]

Wonder what it would’ve done with granulating serum. 🤔

[@LizChadertonArt]

I don’t know….give it a go!

[@fanatlarge]

Once I had the idea to sketch with dark red wine. Don't ask! 😃It worked iirc.

[@LizChadertonArt]

Did it fade with time??

[@fanatlarge]

@@LizChadertonArt Unfortunately I can't remember. And didn't know about techniques like layers or salt at the time. But I remember it was a lovely dark Rioja :-) .

[@LizChadertonArt]

@@fanatlarge Sounds like a good excuse for another glass!

[@fanatlarge]

@@LizChadertonArt I will report! 😛

[@LizChadertonArt]

🍷🍷🍷🍷🍷

[@renee7954]

Doesn’t it mold overtime?😅

[@LizChadertonArt]

no! just don’t put milk and cream in it!