Which is Better? Watercolor Ground vs Gesso Transparent & White Comparison

Hi friends! This was really fun to do and I have to say I am a bit surprised by the results! Do you have these products? Well, prep some paper (I use book pages and scrapbook paper) and paint along with me! We will paint an easy nest that would be adorable o a greeting card!
If you like this project you will love Hand Painted Holiday and it is 40% off through 12/1/22! SALE & New Lessons added to Hand Painted Holiday: lindsayweirich.teachable.com/... Use coupon code 40OFFNOV22 if the discount doesn't appear automatically. The regular price is $39, with a discount $23.40 Offer ends 12/1/22
Supplies:
Watercolors-Windsor & Newton (A crazy deal on amazon currently!) amzn.to/3gmJyva
*PS Holbein colored pencils are wicked expensive but the set of 150 was $100 cheaper than Blick on amazon: amzn.to/3gvKNIj (Here is blick for comparison: shrsl.com/3t2d7 )
For watercolor ground, I used Transparent and Titanium white: shrsl.com/3t7c3
Gesso (Liquitex Clear gesso is a must-have IMHO!) shrsl.com/3t2dg
Watercolor brushes: www.craftamo.com/products/lin...
Other: Book pages, scrapbook papers, 1" flat brush for applying gesso, Q-tip
The bottom line is the Liquitex clear gesso worked better than the transparent watercolor ground in my opinion plus is a wonderful surface prep for pastels and colored pencils making it a versatile art product. As for white, the Daniel Smith Titiniam white watercolor ground was better as a base for watercolor so I would recommend that if you want to do a lot of priming non-pourous surfaces for watercolor or if you like the idea of a watercolor paper correction fluid. For occasional use gesso is fine just not as absorbent which is to be expected since it is not designed for use with watercolor.
This is not an in-depth look at all gesso or grounds, if you have tried others please let me know your results in the comments!
In conclusion, i recommend the Daniel Smooth Titanium white watercolor ground AND the Liquitex clear gesso.
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Credits:
Video production and Craft ideas: Lindsay Weirich
Music: Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
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#thefrugalcrafter #watercolor #art

[@Blick_Art]

We were particularly interested to see how both products dramatically improved the paper's ability to remain flat while wet. Using the salvaged pages was a great idea for this demo!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

I was really impressed with both products ability. I'll be adding it to my repertoire for sure!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

I wish I taped the paper down before priming, i think it would have been flatter still.

[@Blick_Art]

@@thefrugalcrafter Un-taped was good for illustrating the effect, but we're sure it was harder to paint on that way

[@artatjules]

I wonder how the clear gesso and watercolour would hold up on wood slices? Have you tried it?

[@recoveringsoul755]

@@artatjules I would like to see the clear on a mirror or a glass surface like a pane of a window.

[@warbaby1975]

I found that the Liquitex clear gesso is great to cover a watercolor underpainting because it dries gritty enough to go over the watercolor painting with soft pastels.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Yes!

[@The-Secret-Dragon]

It's wonderful to use on wood too to keep layering coloured pencils!

[@veystone2580]

I tried the watercolor ground not long ago but didn't like it. Now gesso, is a different story. I always have had both white and clear gesso at hand. White for when I was painting with acrylics and the clear gesso, for some of my coloring book pages (if they are super thin), but recently I discovered the clear gesso is super helpful to prep my mix media paper prior to use soft pastels! 🥰 I only paint as a therapeutic aid, so spending lots of money on pastel paper is a big no for me, but clear gesso has been a game changer! 😃

[@mjpete27]

I enjoy watching your videos, I see your experiments and I am truly impressed by your fastidiousness! I love it! I am one of those book geeks and could never use any kind of book like so many people do. I know books get ruined some are so poorly made that they are not meant to last. I would rather use sheet music sheets, I am sure there are some who find that objectionable too! I can see the yellowing and acidic damage and I know or believe those book pages are not going to last much longer but I use watercolor ground for wood and for repainting over a damaged watercolor painting or simply trying to recover from a mistake! Liz Chatterton has a great recipe for watercolor ground, mixing gesso and transparent modeling paste. You might try it as watercolor ground is very pricey! I have used it on larger Masonite panels(wood) and it is watercolor painting without the paper! Wonderful video Lindsay, keep the experiments coming and I hope you and yours have a wonderful holiday season too!

[@cheesecakechik7332]

That's fascinating, I think the clear watercolor ground looks more like watercolor, where the clear gesso made the washes more flat and even (almost more like an ink). But the pencils looked so much better on the clear gesso. May still have to get the watercolor ground as I rarely use colored pencils haha. Really good video demonstration of how both white and clear take watercolor (and TIL clear watercolor ground is a thing)

[@cheesecakechik7332]

*When I say flat I don't mean flat as in like lifeless but literally as in it distributed the pigment into a more solid flat wash, which can be good or bad depending on if you want even washes or prefer seeing the texture and flow properties of the paints

[@NelaDunato]

Talens Amsterdam transparent gesso that I'm using has indistinguishable texture from DS watercolor ground, not rough like Liquitex. I find that watercolor lifts too easily from gesso (white and transparent) when layering. Maybe it also depends on the brand. Not sure about lifting on wc ground, I haven't tested it as much yet. I certainly hope it layers better, otherwise what's the point? I use gesso with Neocolor II and Inktense pencils, it works way better than watercolor in my experience.

[@maryannprzybycien2013]

I have the DS clear watercolor ground and I ordered the QoR Cold Press watercolor ground. It's supposed to have a texture like handmade watercolor paper. We shall see. 😁

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Nice! Someone else here said the qor was like paper. I might try it when I run out of DS

[@catap1450]

I have the qor Cold Press one. And yes has a lot of texture!!

[@justacatwhocantype]

I love using the clear gesso with gouache or watercolor and with color pencil on top. I have never tried watercolor ground, and I don't know if I will, now that that I know that it is similar to gesso. I'm really happy with the product that I have and I like that I can use it for all the media that I use.

[@annehebert6959]

This was a great comparison. Thank you. I think the clear gesso would be a really good background for soft pastels...

[@EmmaFalconerArt]

I love using the watercolour ground for waterbased markers I in my sketchbook, I have found I can treat them a little more like watercolour, I can blend them much easier with a wet brush and no pilling! I haven’t tried gesso for this but as you say it was more textured I’d worry about the nibs so I think I’ll stick with the ground but a great comparison video Lindsay 😊

[@cynthiacooke9785]

I think color dulled on gesso/ color more vibrant on ground

[@EmmaFalconerArt]

@@cynthiacooke9785 that’s interesting and good to know, I haven’t tried using gesso for my watercolour. I’ll stick with watercolour ground, thanks!

[@carolyndaughton3373]

Hi Lindsay, thank you for doing the experiment for us. I have both and have wanted to try them both out for comparison. Both of your paintings turned out beautifully. It's amazing what you can do. You can turn anything into beauty. Thank you for sharing your talent.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

You are so welcome!

[@kditty1023]

Please turn these into Christmas cards! Love them!

[@MusingsFromTheDen]

The ground seems to yield more delicate colour that the gesso in both cases. 🤔 I love the colours you used on the eggs. 😊

[@warbaby1975]

I actually use DS water ground for my pastel painting in my sketchbooks. it goes great with my Sennelier oil and soft pastels.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Good to know

[@danielleb.7055]

I tried the clear watercolor ground by d.s to use in my coloring books or pages (when I was into coloring more than watercolor and now it's a complete flip) I found that watercolors did sort of work but it's not like water coloring on watercolor paper it's quite different. I figured and the impression that I was given is that watercolor ground can make every surface able to be painted on ( which it can as far as I have tried) and that it would act like a decent watercolor paper ( which it didn't in my experience) so I was disappointed but it sort of worked. I just couldnt get rid of the brush marks and i found that the granulating paints sat in the marks ( as granulating paints do) and it made the marks much more noticeable than before which is definitely not qhat I was going for. Thanks for sharing what info you found it's definitely helpful. Have a great day

[@cathyquilts2609]

Great demo of your fab brushes, too!! I love your brush set so much.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Thank you!

[@maribelteklado7491]

You can use the DS watercolor ground on metals, glass, plastic and wood….after drying for at least 24 hrs, you can apply watercolor paint on any of these surfaces…. An idea would be applying the ground on jars so you can paint designs on them….I have seen some people applying them on metal travel palettes then painted pretty designs….the ideas are endless….I just used the white watercolor ground on a silk painting I am working on. I used it to enhance the feathers . Applying the pigments became easier

[@yasuewho]

I think there's a huge difference between the two for sure. The easiest spot I see it is in the leaves on both. The brush stroke on the Daniel Smith ground is far more subtle. The nest branches also had more visual interest because the flow was a little better. Overall, the radiant, transparent nature of watercolors is better on the specific ground. If the beauty of watercolor is your main medium, I would think it's very worth it to buy the specific ground and skip clear gesso (if you already have white for other uses). If it's just for cards, watercolor is not your main medium, and one has neither, then maybe the clear is good. Some artists say buying the watercolor ground is a great alternative because it performs better than "meh" paper, so I wonder how it compares in price to certain grades of paper? Most of my mixed media is on wood, so this may be the perfect marriage of mediums for me once I have a more nuanced grip on watercolor. Also: you can also make your own gesso at home, no kidding! You can find a few people showing how easy it is on KZbin. I may buy the DS for my "serious" art projects since I prefer painting on wood panels and make my own clear gesso for little cards or sketchbook work! Thanks so much for this comparison!

[@Linda-qq5mg]

The pages turned out so pretty! What a great idea to use them! Thank you Lindsay.😉

[@maryyoungblood8550]

My favorite of the paintings is the one you did on the clear DS Watercolor Ground paper. With that said, however, as an artist that does multiple media including acrylics I think that the gesso products would be more useful in my studio than the watercolor ground products if I can only afford one.

[@gwensimmons_gigi1629]

Hi MaryY! I agree with you totally!!

[@annettefournier9655]

Thanks Lindsay. I have the clear ground and liquitex gesso. I'm now excited to use them more! 💜

[@darleneblair5254]

This is very useful, Lindsey. Thank you for doing this!!

[@LakerSlots]

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family! I just purchased some White Watercolour ground and already had clear gesso so now I have all that I need. Thank you for another in-depth comparison.

[@susanbaker3078]

Love the comparison, the painting was interesting to watch and turned out beautifully! Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family, Lindsey, and everyone else here!!💕

[@geriprior751]

Turned out so well. Will definitely give my clear gesso a try. I learn something new every video you put out. Thanks Lindsay.

[@jennw6809]

Hey what a great experiment!! And as for robin eggs at Christmas... I mean... we used to put these cardinal bird ornaments on the tree! And I'm sure we had a crafty nest ornament too.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Sounds great!

[@dietzdesigndetails413]

This is so amazingly adorable!!!!

[@melissaaldosari8024]

This was a great comparison! I have wanted to try this, but couldn’t figure out what to use it on first. Thank you for the inspiration!

[@karemmathes1443]

Can’t wait to try it. Thanks

[@susanreinersuedahl]

Very nice comparison. Thanks.

[@gwensimmons_gigi1629]

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family, Lindsay!! 🥧🦃🥗✨👍🏾 Loved your interesting demo, and your choice of robin eggs gave your wreath a different yet beautiful Christmas color combo. I think you spent more time on the Gesso-ed piece but both came out gorgeous!! Thanks for sharing❤🎉🙏🏾✨🤘🏾🥰✨👍🏾

[@deb.e.mixedmedia]

Thanks for comparing these, good to know! Beautiful paintings! ❤️🎨

[@joycemccauley4505]

Really lovely work, the are both beautiful and elegant! It would be great on a junk journal, a card, an album cover! Really beautiful!

[@tracyvis2101]

Love this idea!

[@shallremainnameless1998]

They all look great, Lindsay. Really pretty. The paintings on the clear grounds would cut down into beautiful square cards. I bought white Pebeo gesso to use with acrylic inks and it works great with them but it's really not absorbent enough for watercolour - the colours look wishy washy, even with good quality paint. Then I bought some Liquitex clear gesso in the Hobbycraft sale to paint on sheet music. Wow. Like you, I was impressed with it. Going to try Inktense on it next.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Great idea!!

[@SorrensSorrow]

I love the watercolor ground one best.

[@monsoongirlnyc]

Fun video. I like the watercolor ground effect. Happy Thanksgiving, and thank you for having this up to watch when I got home from playing bumper cars in grocery store parking lots.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

It's rough out there 😆

[@Pebblesmas]

OMG, just bought the liquitex clear Gesso, so 👍good news, thx 4 yet another fab video, helps me a lot, wish i would have thought to look you up before buying, but... Got lucky this time

[@tiffertoes86]

What a great video! I have clear Daniel smith watercolor ground and qor cold press watercolor ground, I personally prefer the qor cold press ground because I think it behaves more like paper. I feel like the DS ground felt gummy when it was rewet with paint?

[@jam4441]

Perfect timing thank you . Would love to see a comparison of Goldens absorbent ground also.

[@karenclarkcreations]

I love this!

[@brigitteitg]

Thanks, that was a great test and very useful for me! I’ve got the white watercolour ground by Daniel Smith, so for a transparent base I will consider the transparent gesso by Liquitex - it sounds perfect for mixed media work. 😊 Lovely paintings too!

[@JustJohnnyCreations]

So strange was deciding whether or not to get gesso for junk journaling then saw your video. I already have the ground I use for wood slices. Got a good deal on Amazon. Lovely paintings. Thank you for sharing.

[@-.-4]

Thank you! I’d go with the gesso. I do have ground, different brand..cheaper. Haven’t used it yet. Love the colored pencils.

[@janicescragg2388]

Thank you for this is the best video I have watched so far on this subject. Well done❤.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Wow, thank you!

[@cherylbrewer1218]

Very useful video. Thank you Lindsay 👍😊

[@DeniseBrooks1955]

Thank you Lindsay! Very useful info 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@mijotwentyseven3935]

Gorgeous paintings, Lindsay!! I love this. Tfs.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Thank you so much!

[@bellnorton1691]

Watching you work was amazing! I can not draw stick people. Your work is beautiful.

[@vikibanaszak4881]

These are amazi ngly fun. I will def. play with this design and see what I come up with. I have some watercolor ground around here some where. I don't remember if it is clear or white though.

[@Bugiddle]

I'm just seeing this now. It popped up in my feed. I recently became very interested in using old book pages to watercolor on! I didn't have any old books at hand (that I wanted to rip up!) but I ordered this neat pad of small sheets of reproduction old book pages and sheet music from Temu. I mounted them on watercolor paper (but I think I will use cardstock next time) with a thin layer of tacky glue. I then put the first layer of clear watercolor ground on the pages, and I'm going to do a thicker layer tomorrow. I had bought some of the DS ground months ago to use in those cute adult coloring books with thin pages from Daiso (with the example to follow - almost like paint by number). I tried a test on another coloring book page and then used watercolor pencil. It worked very well.I may get some of the clear gesso, too. I'm a little afraid it would damage my brushes...but if it's too toothy, I can use pastels or pastel pencils on it instead of watercolor.

[@kimberlywalker280]

Your artwork is beautiful. I like them both. Also, some people like a natural Christmas tree...and, sometimes, one might find a 🐦 nest ornament or two.🙂

[@sonyaoart]

hm it seems I need to find some books with words that’ll go well with my paintings. Thanks for the demo and for saving me money 😅

[@yelsyels]

Love it Thank and appreciated!♥♥

[@128titanicsokwonkim]

Thank you for your video and sharing.

[@nedanashu5025]

I tried this myself & I liked the ground better, but I had both & Blick's has a good price for the ground. Just me, you are way better at the watercolor than me, I am just starting out. I like your painting on the ground better as well.

[@twiggalina]

A very interesting video! Happy Thanksgiving!

[@mariajoseguadron7292]

Thks 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉 thanks for the review

[@thefrugalcrafter]

No problem!!

[@ErinEnoArt]

It would be interesting to see more bleeds to have a better idea of how the paint reacts on each

[@dianekey4780]

Very helpful, thanks!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Glad it was helpful!

[@christinenewell9215]

Have you tried to stack the gesso and wc ground? In theory… gesso will keep the paper from buckling, and wc ground will be easy on your brush.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Thanks for the tips!

[@-.-4]

Ok, white ground and clear gesso. I agree.

[@artonthecreek]

Well the jury is out but I want to test this as well. Ok-unsolicited observation-the Watercolor ground would be my vote for now. The eggs have a lot more depth and dimension on the watercolor ground sample. The gesso sample looks a bit “flat.” Much like using cotton watercolor paper vs. wood pulp paper. Does that make sense? They both work, yes. But from my phone and my tv, (maybe it’s a monitor color issue), the watercolor ground sample is my preference. Fun experiment! Also-how old is the book? That may or may not be a factor. I’ve heard older books use hardier paper. I have a children’s songbook from my childhood (1960s) that I love using because the pages are more substantial. The printed ink used might make a difference in paper quality too over time. Who knows-all of that might be a moot point. Time to try it myself! ❤

[@zestygurl]

Love to see you create a more comprehensive in depth video on this. You & your skills testing as many Cold pressed Grounds vs. Gesso out on many materials wood, plastic, recycled scrap paper to cardboard- since Blick is on your channel commenting lol The black Cold pressed grounds vs. The Black Gesso ⚫ 🖤 to say the Buff or Pearl Cold pressed grounds to create a Grey tone paper surface? To the transparent test again on other surfaces especially cardboard. Even the hard sandable. Have so many watercolors I just don't like buying special precious paper more enjoy turning whatever into a surface to test out or explore on. The grounds offer that. My cart and bank account on Blick shows I'm in no position at the moment to test that. Hopefully you consider making that video? Be very helpful. Thank you. L♡ve a scrappy scrapbook art journal. Especially appreciated you using book pages know some are not acid free papers just nice to learn how to overcome challenges of certain supplies on certain types of paper. With the acid in the book page for example how exactly does that affect the watercolor long term? Or different art supplies?

[@Miastrong930]

Watercolor ground looks much better on my screen than the gesso. I did a slightly different experiment on black watercolor paper. I was using watercolor metalic paints for greeting cards. At one point I decided to add regular watercolor red ornaments. To make the red watercolor show I decided to use white watercolor ground on one card and white watercolor paint on another card. I preferred the results with plain white watercolor paint undercoat. I liked the end results on the shading and how the paint brush and paint move on the paper. The watercolor ground caused the brush to drag when applying the red watercolor paint and the shading was not as smooth.

[@JanineMarieChrysler]

❤❤❤

[@roxanne7147]

Oh how I wish I could paint like that

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Give it a try:)

[@patriciaphare-camp2859]

Lindsay, FYI, acrylic based paint and gesso will neutralize the ph of your substrate; making questionable papers more archival 😁

[@thefrugalcrafter]

I didn't know that. Cool!

[@paulalister80]

Would be great on a card here, Pukeko eggs are around, kiwi eggs hatch in December so could do Kiwi eggs and the little blue penguin (live on the West Coast of NZ friend have them under there houses in the bush at the moment) hatch in December too, so a very Christmas card here in NZ. These look great and supper cute. Lovin the clear gesso one and bonus I have it! Aww should so do a few for friends living in the bush. Very interesting fun watch.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Good idea!

[@berolinastrassmann]

Love the idea of a summer Christmas card with NZ blue penguins!

[@sharonyoung8251]

I use the Dina Wakley/Ranger or Art Basics clear gesso in my Bible, they are not as gritty as other brands. I have also used the Daniel Smith clear watercolor ground and. It works well. I only use the ground/gesso when using stamps or markers as they bleed through. Don’t use for watercolor.

[@nattyw495]

Found video interesting and informative...👩‍🎨🎨✍

[@livinglovefamily]

Ty! So helpful! Do you think there is a major difference between the liquitex “basics” gesso and the professional line?

[@thefrugalcrafter]

I'm not sure. I haven't tried it.

[@Cryptichroma]

Great test! I loved your holly nests and what a way to use up books we don't love. I've been curious about these grounds, too. I think I'll give that rougher, gesso version a try. The W&N deal you mentioned wasn't working for me (maybe because I'm in Australia?) and it changed price twice while I was looking at it? $56 then $75?? (Amazon - you ok there buddy?). I did see a few deals worth taking advantage of so there goes my money 😅

[@thefrugalcrafter]

It was a amazon UK product in the amazon USA site so who knows.

[@Melindrea]

I bought Caran d'ache neocolor 2 30 set on black week sale! (you happen to have an idea on the size of the tin for the 30? I'm suffering from waiting anxiety and musing making a sketchbook to stick into the tin)

[@thefrugalcrafter]

I'm not sure

[@arleenaartvark1141]

I’ve tried cold watercolor ground and it makes surface rough! Very rough. But very easy lifting of colors.

[@theresapalmer7892]

I have gesso so this was very helpful, I don't think I need to buy ground

[@abilitycrafting864]

I can't find anyone with videos on mixing mica powders or paint in the textured pasts for making cards that are out now. I'm really interested in mixing my own colors for Luna paste. Have you done it in the past in a video I can see? Also, interested in making my own gouache. Thanks and have some happy holidays.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

I haven't. Cool idea!

[@shannonwolff2599]

One question Lindsay, you said the gesso was rougher and could damage good natural hair watercolor brushes, would you recommend using something like a white or golden taklon instead if you are using the gesso?? As I also use acrylics plus having some cheaper brushes in my collection (like all artists/crafters I do tend to hoard art supplies and can't resist a deal,,,LOL!!) I have quite a number of white, golden and brown taklon I could use, and was wondering which you thought would be the best to use, or should we just experiment and see!!!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Yes in both cases use synthetics as they are rougher than paper.

[@Raven56875]

I got to ask . do you know if A. Gallo watercolor are any good?

[@thefrugalcrafter]

from what I hear they are, pricy and hard to find tho.

[@Rockymtnbloom]

Which of these products would be good for re-doing a large area of a watercolor? I have an area I have tried everything to remove Lunar Black gritty remnants of pigment on a sky and would like to salvage the painting.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

White watercolor ground

[@128titanicsokwonkim]

♥️♥️.

[@marikareimer4411]

Great review Lindsay. Watched this with my friend. We learned a lot. We also love how the paintings turned out. 😊 I do have a question, what did you mean by the Windsor Newton paints being "unimpressive"?

[@thefrugalcrafter]

I might have been soeaking of their earth tones and sap green. They are not as strongly pigmented compared to other brands but they are fine.

[@marikareimer4411]

@@thefrugalcrafter Thank you Lindsay, Have a lovely weekend! 😊

[@w.vangaal1077]

Any tips on how to apply gesso? The grain sometimes disappears on some parts.. and I think it has to do with how I am applying it because I am using the same gesso brand.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

I use a large golden taklon flat brush and apply in one direction and then feather it out in the other direction with the brush wiped clean.

[@shannonwolff2599]

Another question (full of them today apparently!) wondering if you have tried or reviewed any of the jelly gouache currently on the market. Just bought a set of 24 Himi ones and playing with them but looking for tips!! 🙂

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Yes, I have reviews and tutorials:)

[@shannonwolff2599]

@@thefrugalcrafter LOL! I know as I have watched most of them by now, just trying to get the hang of the thicker jelly gouache!!! Having fun playing mind you, gotta love new toys!! Everytime you do a review on a new product my bank card starts crying!!!

[@DeniseSmithCreative]

Lindsay, how in the heck do you find those deals on wc paint? The Windsor and newton was 95 by the time I got to it. I was going to grab it at 40 😅 but went to Amazon via your link and I know they go fast but any pointers?

[@thefrugalcrafter]

It's been $44 for about a week and I posted on my ommunity tab when I first saw the deal, that is where I post deals first so check there if my community posts don't pop up on your feed automatically: kzbin.infocommunity amazon can change prices so fast!

[@sandyb4693]

Very informative! A comparison I've been wanting to do, but never got around to. The demos you did would make adorable x-mas cards! I do like the Liquitex Clear gesso, but in my trials I get bits of the texture that are rather big (at least to me.) I don't mind a rough sandpaper texture, but what I get is random bits that are larger. I'm thinking I'm not applying it correctly. Any thought on how to minimize them. Or do you think I should perhaps sand the big bits down (I just thought of that idea lol)? Another question.... When using vintage paper that is a bit brittle, do you have any suggestions on how to treat it to hopefully prevent further breaking? Thanks as always for all you do!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Maybe there are some clumps. I'd strain it through a cheesecloth and use a 1" or wider flat taklon or nylon brush to apply.

[@sandyb4693]

@@thefrugalcrafter Thanks! I'll give that a try.

[@ghentsy1]

That's beautiful. Question: So is the Watercolor Ground is "the same" as the regular Acrylic Clear Liquidex Gesso? Will the watercolor adhere to the Acrylic Gesso? This is a game changer 💡

[@thefrugalcrafter]

You tell me, the results are in the video.

[@MatildaRabbit]

Okay, I watched this before, but I got to wondering which you would use if you wanted to paint on thin paper, like Bible page thin? I can see how the ground would be used to make the pages porous, but the gesso would give you a foundation. Would you need one or the other or both? I'm thinking gesso might be needed to make it firm enough, but I am not sure at all. Would it buckle, regardless?

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Both would work

[@MatildaRabbit]

@@thefrugalcrafter Thank you! :)

[@Horsewoman-pt2ku]

I tried 3x to order the 24 pan WN watercolor set when it was $60 with different colors than the new set and Amazon canceled my order all 3xs. I don’t know why

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Huh. I ordered this time. Not shipped or charged yet. Fingers crossed!

[@ciannacoleman5125]

I much have laid down my ground wrong because it was VERY gritty and difficult to paint on

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Add some water and stir it up. The white gets thick.

[@joyfulldj]

still not sure what to make of the ds wc ground... mine felt like painting on rubber? I suppose that is user error as I rarely use it... have the liquitex one for wc as well... and ehh all I can say, not really my thing, I guess. Do like it with fluid acryllics specially the more rough gesso for acryllics, but wc ground still has me puzzled in how it should feel like.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

I prefer paper too but it nice to have options for other surfaces or a whiteout;)

[@joyfulldj]

@@thefrugalcrafter Hon I was not being critical. Not in the slightest. I was nearly wondering wthat the F I am doing wrong bc I can hear the texure you get with it. Mine doesn't even come close to that. Guess that is user error; I am lazy in that regard and tend to want everything dry when I WANT it. Guess that stuff does not like a heatgun or hairdryer.

[@joycestevens376]

Is $75 for the W&N a crazy deal? The nests are beautiful.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

No it was $44

[@joycestevens376]

Not when I brought up the link you provided. I would have ordered it immediatelt. They must have stopped the sale. Sorry I missed that deal.

[@miriammoore1261]

Water color on gesso has been done for centuries. It is called Fresco. Michaelangelo painted the Cistine Celling with watercolor and plaster and glue. Gesso is plaster and glue, for clear...add white paint and you have the costly gesso in a jar. There is absolutely NO need for watercolor ground, unless you just want to waste money. How about giving the money you would spend on watercolor ground to the poor. There are a lot of homeless right now due to the economy. GOD BLESS.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Thanks for the info!

[@zestygurl]

Part 2 comment - Mind trying this recipe? kzbin.info/www/bejne/aZjVYmSdqbaBp7c She is using transparent modeling paste + clear gesso to make a transparent ground. Love using inks on scraps too. Saw black gesso and white thought maybe you could mix together something on your end test it out? Saw Windsor Newton has a modeling paste like she is using.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

I don't like to copy other creators. I'd ask questions to the person who posted the video.

[@zestygurl]

@@thefrugalcrafter Already did certainly isn't copying when it's an open source recipe. That was the point. She's also based in a country outside of the US we're certain materials are more difficult for her to get. Why I asked you based here. Don't like copying other people and I don't. Different when it's an open source recipe and fair trade/fair use crediting properly where the idea 💡 came from. In art we are all copying someone even nature. Just pointing that out.

[@lesliepease3988]

Here's a good "excuse" for robin eggs in the holidays.... "Some fables link robin to Christianity. The story goes that the robin was once a plain, brown bird. The bird went to sing to Jesus who was dying on the cross. Blood from Jesus’ wounds stained the breast of the bird and from that moment on, the robin passed its red breast down through the generations."