learn: Stretching Watercolour Paper with Michele Kempees

I have been teaching watercolor for many years and the first two classes are all about how to shrink paper, what supplies are best and why.

I learnt the hard way by trail and error at first but then I did a lot of research about the science about paints and the pigments that are in them.

It sure made the difference in my art.

STEP 1
This is the paper that I use - Winsor & Newton 140 pound/300gsm cold press paper.

Paper Used

STEP 2
Hint: There are usually two watermarks on watercolour paper. I have found that for some paper it DOES matter which side you paint on because of the way the paper is pressed. The side that is easy to read straight on is the face of the paper to paint on.

Watermark - the side of paper to use

STEP 3
These are the supplies you will need.

• a sturdy wood board.
  The one shown is made for watercolour painting. (gator board, foam board and masonite does NOT work). You can cut plywood to the size you need and seal with polyurethane.
• Winsor & Newton watercolour paper (cut or torn to size)
• White school glue
• Gummed paper tape (white or kraft brown)
• Natural sponge (it holds more water)

Materials used

STEP 4

Cut or tear paper tape to lengths needed (about 3-4 inches longer than paper side, to extend beyond edge)

STEP 5

Put paper in a large sink or bath tub of water. Let soak about one minute or longer if using 300 pound paper. It should be limp and flexible.

STEP 6

Carefully pick up a corner of paper to allow the access of water to run off.

STEP 7

Lay paper onto board. (it will be a little wavy, don't worry)

STEP 8

Put a small bead of glue just 1/2 inch (1.5cm) on edge of wet paper

STEP 9
Wet paper tape (to activate the adhesive) and place on the wet paper all the way around. Half on the paper, half on the board. Take the wet sponge and wet the top of the tape to evenly press down tape and wet it. This allows the wet tape and wet paper to dry evenly.

The paper might be wavy. Set aside and let dry, don't worry it WILL dry flat every time.

HINT: Seeing the wet wavy paper drying flat with no wrinkle will reassure you a very wet watercolour wash (causing wavy paper) will dry flat. Sometimes I have my paper get very wavy during a painting but because of that small bead of glue the paper tape will not come off, drying your paper flat every time.

When you are finished with your painting you can use a utility knife to cut free. You can use a ruler and knife but I don't want to damage my board.

I do not take the time to wet and take off the paper tape after each painting. I will do several paintings until I feel it is time to clean off the extra tape. I want to spend my time painting not cleaning up boards.

I hope this helps you!

You can see more of Michele's work at www.michelekempees.com

learn: Yupo Paper and Watercolour with Trish Davis

At first it can be quite a challenging technique, persevere and you will be amazed at what you can do with this amazing paper.

Equipment:

Yupo Paper
Watercolour paints (of your choice)
Watercolour pencil (a light colour)
Gold and Silver spray paint
Fine mist bottle
Brush and rigger brush (for fine lines)


Roughly sketch your drawing with watercolour pencil. Lightly wet your butterfly with clean water trying not to go out of your sketch (otherwise the paint will follow the water).

sketch with watercolour pencil

Starting with the wings paint with your choice of colours ( 2 would be best until you understand how the paint can be manipulated)

adding colour

2 colours added

With a clean paintbrush & clear water slowly drag your brush around the outside edge of the wings just touching the paint. This will move the paint to where you want the shape to go.

moving paint to desired shape

At this stage you can spray finely inside the wings ONLY to move the paint around.

spray finely

Continue with the yellow / blue for the flowers & leaves. Spraying only where u want to manipulate the colours.

flowers and leaves

With a lightly damp tissue you can wipe around & shape your butterfly if needed, or clean away any mishaps.

clean away mishaps with tissue

Using gold & silver spray paint, spray very lightly where you would like the colour to go. Be very careful when doing this otherwise you will end up with a big blob of paint.  Using your fine mist water spray you will be able to manoeuvre the spray paint to your liking.

gold and silver spray paint

Finely add your detail to your butterfly very carefully.

Mostly have fun because it's only a piece of paper.

Thank you
      

Trish Davis

learn: Paper Tesselation with Sally Fawcett

When I first saw a tessellation artwork by M.C. Escher, I was amazed.  'How does he do it?' I thought. Then I was shown a simple way to create an Escher-style tessellation.

This is a wonderful activity to do with children. Every child I have introduced to this artwork has been 'switched-on' to create. Mathematics meets Art, in a marvellously creative way.

Below I have shared the steps I followed to create a fish tessellation.

1. Start with a simple geometric shape of card that will tessellate. (Fits together without gaps, to cover a flat surface.) For this fish, I used a square.

2. Draw a line from top to bottom to form the fish's face. Cut along this line.

3. Tape the two pieces together.

4. Cut a fin shape out of the bottom of the fish.

5. Flip and slide the fin to the top and tape it. This will form a fish template.

6. Trace around fish and repeat in a tessellating pattern. You will need to flip the fish for each new row.

7. Decorate and admire!

This idea can be adapted to make other animals, monsters, birds, or even just an interesting shape. You don't have to start with a square, but I find it is the easiest. You can experiment with hexagons, triangles, rectangles, or any geometric shape that will tessellate.

Happy Creating!

See more of Sally's work at sallyfawcett.blogspot.com.au