Don't Touch My Paper!

 This entry was originally posted on Saturday, April 7, 2012 

 Be careful when handling your paper and don't let others fondle it!

 

I am a paper snob.

I don't like other people touching my paper.

I don't know where their fingers have been and I don't know what they have on them.

If greasy fingers touch my paper they leave greasy marks.

Greasy marks leave blemishes in my paintings and in my beautiful washes. 

Not good.

 

To avoid this from happening, I am careful about choosing my paper from the paper drawer.

The top piece is usually the one that has been touched the most by other people.

So I carefully pull out my paper from the middle of the pile.

I try to only touch the edges of the paper so I don't leave marks for others. 

 

Then I carry it to the cashier by the edges.

This is when my snobiness really comes through.

I refuse to lay it on the counter and I refuse to let the cashier handle my paper.

They can hold the bag open but they can't touch my paper.

Sunday Secrets #11

   This entry was originally posted on Sunday, April 1, 2012 

Today's Sunday Secrets comes from Dana in France.

It is 

"What size do you normally use for your watercolor work?" 

Thanks Dana for asking the question.

 

I normally use the sizes of watercolor paper.

A full sheet is 22x30" which I use for my large paintings.

Cut that in half to get the half sheet size of 15x22".

A quarter sheet is 11x15" but I usually tape it off for an 11x14" painting.

This fits nicely into a 16x20" frame.

And finally, I will cut that in half (7.5x11") for small quick studies.

Only Paper

  This entry was originally posted on Monday March 19, 2012 

Remember, it is only paper.

It costs about the same as a Starbucks coffee.

So skip you coffee today and paint instead.

You will feel so much more refreshed.

Sunday Secrets #8

    This entry was originally posted on Sunday, March 11, 2012 

Even when you tape your watercolor paper to the board, the paper will still sometimes warp and buckle.

One of my students, Sandy, asked me this past week how to flatten her warped watercolor paintings for framing.

To do this, first wet the BACK of the painting.

Flip it over placing it onto a board, some Plexiglas, or a smooth countertop.

Then place some paper towels on top of the painting.

The paper towels will absorb the excess moisture without doing any harm to the painting.

Let the books sit on top of your painting for 24-48 hours.

Now you will be able to frame your watercolor without it looking warped behind the mat.

Easy Way to Draw

   This entry was originally posted on Monday, February 6, 2012.

When I teach a class or workshop, I don't make my students draw out their work.

The reason for this is that if I did have them draw, we would never get to painting.

Instead of drawing, I have them transfer a photocopy of what we will be painting onto the watercolor paper.

This is done by placing the photocopy onto the watercolor paper and taping it down so it doesn't move while transferring.

Then a piece of transfer (also called graphite) paper is placed underneath the photocopy with the dark side down.

The photocopy is then transferred onto the watercolor paper.

Now you are ready to paint.

Don't Draw on Your Paper!

  This entry was originally posted on Saturday, February 4, 2012.

Unless I am working plein air (painting outdoors) or from life, I try not to draw on my paper.

That is because when I draw, I want to erase.

Then draw again.

And erase again.

Then before I know it, I have ruined my beautiful paper with my multiple pencil marks, eraser smudges, and the oils from my fingers.

It becomes difficult to have a nice even wash when this happens.

Here is my tip for the day:

Instead of drawing directly onto your paper, draw your image out on tracing paper. You can erase and smudge to your little heart's content and not ruin your paper.

After it is on the tracing paper, it can then be transferred onto the watercolor paper using graphite/transfer paper.

Now your paper stays pristine. 

Plus you still have that drawing just in case your kids decide they want to paint on your painting when you are not looking.

Stretching Paper

 This entry was originally posted on Monday, January 30, 2012.

Stretching paper is not a necessary thing to do but some may wonder why it is done.

Here is why:

First of all, sometimes the paper will buckle and warp if you get it too wet. Some artists like to make sure it won't do that as they paint.

The other reason is that there is sizing (which is a gelatin) in your paper that is there to protect it.

Sizing inhibits the paint from flowing too much. Soaking the paper will remove the sizing and your paint will now be able to flow more.

I will only stretch my paper depending on what I am doing.

For instance, I stretch my paper when I am doing my pours and my portraits.

Even if it is 300lb.

For everything else, I usually just tape the paper to a board.