Painting On Watercolor Canvas

By Mary Ann Boysen

Painting watercolors on the new Watercolor Canvas is an exciting adventure, with results that will amaze you!

The watercolor canvas offers the ability to change, to erase mistakes, to create a traditional watercolor look or to make the painting appear like an oil (strong and bold color, with texture). In my book about the canvas, there are paintings with step-by-step procedures that you can follow, or you can apply to your own subjects. Each of them deal with a slightly different approach to the canvas.

Watercolor Painting on Canvas I suggest that you start with small canvases, perhaps the panels that have the watercolor canvas adhered to the surface. They are easy to handle and when the painting is finished, it can easily sit on a table easel without the expense of framing. BUT, to enhance them for hanging on a wall, they should be framed.

There are many finishes that can be used to protect the painting, and selection of those that you prefer will create the final look of the piece, whether it be watercolor or oil in appearance.

There are sprays that must be used, but in addition (and optional), there are gel mediums that can show brush strokes as if the medium was something other than watercolor. They are made in matte, semi-gloss, and gloss finishes, and each gives the art a different look.

I've become so intrigued by this medium that I wrote an ebook on painting with watercolor canvas. To me, it is a wonderful and rewarding challenge...something new and innovative, and the watercolor, if treated with an acrylic varnish does not need glass in the frame. I am enthusiastic about the future of this new way of painting in watercolor. There are so many variations and methods of achieving new and exciting effects.

Big Benefits of Watercolor Canvas

Painting on canvas offers these diverse opportunities relating to style and appearance of the finished work:

Light and watery as some traditional watercolors

The appearance of an oil painting. This will depend on your preference and possibly the preference of your customer.

Easy changes during the painting process.

Framing is unnecessary!

Lightweight for transporting

NO GLASS/NO GLARE!

EASY SHIPPING by rolling up in a tube or around the unassembled stretcher bars.

Big Watercolor Canvas News

One of the most exciting things about the canvas that no one has mentioned yet is that if it becomes wrinkled before you stretch it (or if it appears buckled on the stretcher bars), there is a simple solution:

WET IT!

The canvas shrinks so fast that you can watch the wrinkles disappear before your eyes. This also means that you can easily pack it in a travel bag by folding it, if the size is too large for your suitcase! Once it is placed on the stretcher bars and brushed with clear water, it becomes very taut, and devoid of wrinkles. You need not use canvas pliers to adhere it to the bars, nor the keys to make it tight.

NOW, doesn't that get you interested? Once watercolor paper is creased it is of no use! The canvas has eliminated that problem. If you want to learn more about this great medium click here

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Watercolor Painting Tips