Watercolor on Canvas vs Paper - How to use watercolor ground

Did you know you can paint with watercolor on CANVAS?
All you need is something called watercolor ground. 😀
In this video I'll paint the same image on both canvas AND watercolor paper so you can see for yourself what is possible when you explore painting on different surfaces!
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Here is a full list of supplies used in this video:
📜 4x4 inch cotton canvas, from Michaels
🎨 Daniel Smith Watercolor Ground Titanium White ➡️ www.anrdoezrs.net/click-911014...
🎨 Daniel Smith Jean Haines Master Artist Set ➡️ www.dpbolvw.net/click-9110133...
🎨 Daniel Smith Jean Haines Master Artist Set (International Shipping from Jackson's) ➡️ www.jacksonsart.com/en-us/dan...
📜 Sennelier Watercolor Paper Block, 140lbs cold pressed 9x4 ➡️ www.anrdoezrs.net/click-91101...
🎨 LOONENG Empty Watercolor Tin with Fold Out Palette with 14 Empty Full Pans ➡️ amzn.to/3JPcrdF
🖌️ Silver Brushes Black Velvet series 3000, Round Size 8 ➡️ www.anrdoezrs.net/click-911014...
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- Canon EOS R Plus RF24-105mm F4-7.1 is STM Lens Kit ➡️ amzn.to/3pC8mR9
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[@rutbrea8796]

I just bought the watercolor canvas and the ground, I haven't tried it it yet, but your video has given me a wonderful time.

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Have fun!

[@Blick_Art]

Terrific demonstration of support preparation and paint behavior on watercolor ground, excellent pro tips! Varnish does tend to deepen dark passages and increase contrast, so artists should perform a patch test before coating finished art, just so the effects aren't an unwelcome surprise. A+++++ for using a varnish with UV light protection, because thin watercolor layers over a reflective white ground can be affected by color change/fading from exposure to light. UV protective glass in a frame is also a good option for these painting, just like any watercolors.

[@artericson]

I agree!

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

SUCH a helpful comment! Thanks so much!

[@Blick_Art]

@@EmilyOlsonArt Thank you for being so gracious and welcoming on your channel! We love these videos, so much good information!

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Hooray!

[@ellymeerleveldt614]

Thank you for this great video Susan❤️

[@oniari77]

Thank you so much! Great explanation and very helpful

[@jill552]

That was great. Thank you.

[@madelinegrudens]

I painted on canvas and got decent results without knowing about the ground paint so now I'll definitely give that a try! Thanks for sharing 🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

My pleasure! Thanks for watching! 🙏🏻

[@roxannerosecrans4441]

Wow awesome video!!! Very informative, I learned something today! Never to old (63) 😉

[@debbieabruzzini7004]

Could you consider doing even a piece the cliff in that gorgous scene behind you! Love everything you teach us, but learning how to do the cliff and water at the base is a huge goal for me!

[@artericson]

Thanks for showing the difference between the ground on canvas and the watercolor paper. It's interesting how the color absorbs into the ground on canvas but it seems like the colors cannot fully show their true colors unless it has the true cotton watercolor paper under it. I think it would be fun to paint with ground on rocks or something of that sort!

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Yes, I think rocks/landscapes are my favorite subject for the watercolor ground!

[@lindalamb6643]

Hi Emily, I very recently did the very same thing. I did a painting for my grand daughter and pulled out a canvas paper that said "prepared for all mediums" I had never done water color on it before I usually work mostly in acrylics on those but I wanted to try the water color. I didn't prepare the canvas at all and the painting actually turned out great! I loved the way the color moved on the surface. It was a different feeling with the texture but I actually really enjoyed doing it. Thank you for all of your videos. You are such a gifted artist and I really enjoy watching and learning from you!!

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Thank you so much for your kind comment!

[@SusieDiamond221]

Thank you, Emily, this is a super topic to explain! Thanks for sharing!! ❤

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

You are so welcome!

[@hyacinthdemello3598]

Thank you for a quick, well explained & wonderful side by side paintings....God Bless🙏

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

My pleasure 😊

[@mjrewerts]

I just finished my first watercolor painting on canvas (16”x20”). Hobby Lobby had so many already prepped and so affordable that I had to try it. I was pleasantly surprised. The only thing I didn’t like was how easily the paint lifted up with the following layers which was a learning curve since I’m used to working mostly on Cold Press. I think it would work best to try to get the background in with the first layer as much as possible so that it would be less blotchy. Then the following layers added with very little water and as few brushstrokes as possible. Overall, I found it was very doable and turned out nicely. I’m going to do a watercolor painting on Aqua board next. I like the idea of the sturdy board rather than a vulnerable canvas. 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@pintsizestories196]

My dad was a professional artist and I remember him using Krylon fifty years ago! Good product, I guess, to be around for so long.

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

That's saying something! 😀

[@wileycom]

Thank you so much for this lovely tutorial. I have been wondering about watercolor ground and how it’s used! I’m a new sub ie to your channel and deeply appreciate all that you do!💕

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Thanks, and welcome!

[@fuzzydragons]

worth trying the ground out, even just on a tiny canvas or 2 like here to see how i like it and prob not too much money getting a small jar

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Definitely!

[@annenglish2935]

I have the canvas and DS ground... the canvas description said it was ready to use ... wasn't sure... will use the ground!!! For fun with my granddaughters I thought of a lot of things to paint... and it's up to them to choose... Galaxies is a great one for beginners! Thank 😊 you for sharing this! Have a wonderful weekend! A California Gramma ♥️

[@annenglish2935]

Absolutely beautiful 🌹 roses!!! Unbelievable!

[@nellkrams3698]

Great comparison! I’ve used watercolor ground on metal, canvas and wood and was really pleased with the surface. I’ve sealed my paintings with wax….never tried the spray. I’ll definitely try it. For some reason, it looked like the rose on the canvas stood out more than the one on the paper…maybe it was the way the background paint took on the canvas. Both paintings were beautiful. I’m thinking I’d like to try a comparison….just to see for myself how it looks. Thanks so much for sharing this.

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Thanks for the comment, Nell!

[@bleuvertetforetdepin7308]

Great video! Like all the others 😁👍. You've ask during the "Jean Haines" video if there was other Daniel Smith artist palette we'd like you to test. I would love to see you experience the Paul Wang palette. Thank you.

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Thank you! Great suggestion!

[@misskitty2270]

Hey there! I just bought a DS watercolor ground yeaterday and I was wondering if I could use an archival spray on any surface I paint on? Thanks!

[@claraw7976]

I've always seen the product at art stores but never really bothered to pick it up. I'll definitely do it after watching this vid though.Think it would be a nice change even though it performs slightly differently than paper. Thank you, and new subscriber here. =)

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Thank you Clara, and welcome!

[@claraw7976]

@@EmilyOlsonArt You're welcome. I've watched several very useful videos already. And your art is also very beautiful.

[@RashmiDokey]

Please answer my question which is what watercolor paints you recommend for beginner and which palette.

[@AFAskygoddess]

Have you ever tried to paint a base of watercolor ground on 300 lb watercolor paper? Not sure 140 lb paper would be thick enough, but maybe so. If you wanted to highlight a specific area of texture in the painting, the ground might be able to create interesting swirls or patterns, but you'd still utilizing the cold press texture in other parts.

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

I haven't used it on watercolor paper yet, but I know other artists who use it in their watercolor sketchbooks. It works well!

[@SereneStudio]

Thanks for thos! I've been thinking about using canvas for watercolor. Have you ever used the watercolor paper canvases? beautiful rose painting!! :D

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

I have used the watercolor paper panels--not sure if those are the same as a canvas? I do love them!

[@lynnephelps2370]

Wonderful video! I was always afraid the Krylon spray would reactivate the watercolor and ruin it. Can you use the spray on your watercolor paper pieces also?

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Yes you can!

[@prexytheartist]

Paper looks more textured than the canvas one but they both look almost the same, it's crazy! When you varnish watercolors, does it not affect the texture or colors?

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

As long as you use a spray, the texture and color are not affected.

[@tonys8613]

Do you need to gesso first?

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

No gesso, just the watercolor ground. :)

[@lesliepease3988]

Can the ground be watered down?

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

I’m not sure why you would need to water it down. I’ve never tried it.