How to Prepare Watercolor Paper: Stretching and Gluing

Watercolor paper is a fundamental material in the process of creating a work of art. In this article, we will present some tips and techniques to prepare watercolor paper: Stretch and Paste, to achieve the best results in your works.

In addition, proper preparation of watercolor paper is essential to achieve a flat, stable surface capable of withstanding the moisture of the paint. This ensures that the paint is applied evenly and that the colors blend properly.

Why is proper preparation of watercolor paper important?

Watercolor is a painting technique characterized by its transparency and its ability to create subtle and delicate effects. Watercolor paper is the ideal support for this technique, as its porous surface allows the paint to adhere evenly and dry quickly.

However, the moisture of the paint can cause the paper to wrinkle or deform, which can affect the quality of the work. Therefore, it is essential to prepare the watercolor paper before starting to paint.

Proper preparation of watercolor paper is important for several reasons.

Firstly, stretching the watercolor paper helps to prevent it from deforming or wrinkling during the painting process. This ensures that the paint is applied evenly and that the colors blend properly.

Secondly, proper preparation of watercolor paper helps to prevent the paint from bleeding or smudging. This ensures that the fine and delicate details of the work remain intact.

Finally, proper preparation of watercolor paper is important to ensure the durability of the work. If the watercolor paper is not prepared properly, the paint may fade or disappear over time.

Types of Watercolor Paper

“Before starting to prepare the watercolor paper, it is important to know the different types of watercolor paper available in the market. There are three types of watercolor paper:

Cold-pressed, hot-pressed, and handmade watercolor paper.

Hot-pressed paper is the most common type of watercolor paper and is ideal for beginners. It has a smooth surface and is easy to work with.

Cold-pressed paper has a rougher surface and is ideal for creating texture effects in the work.

Handmade watercolor paper is the most expensive type of watercolor paper and has a unique texture that is ideal for creating unique and original works of art.

To learn more about watercolor paper, CLICK HERE.

How to Prepare Watercolor Paper:

Below you will see how to stretch and how to glue the watercolor paper.

How to Stretch Watercolor Paper

Stretching watercolor paper is an important process that helps to prevent the paper from warping or buckling during the painting process. There are several methods for stretching watercolor paper, but the most common method is water stretching.

This method involves soaking the watercolor paper in water for a set period of time and then stretching it onto a drawing board.

To stretch watercolor paper using water, follow these steps:

1.Immerse watercolor paper in water for about 10 minutes. Make sure the paper is completely submerged and that no air bubbles remain inside.

2. Once the paper is sufficiently soaked, remove it from the water and place it on a flat surface. Use a paper towel to absorb the excess water.

3. Place the wet paper on a drawing board and stretch it with masking tape. Make sure the paper is completely stretched and that there are no wrinkles or creases.

4. Let the paper dry completely before you start painting.

How to glue watercolor paper

Gluing watercolor paper is an important process that helps ensure the paper is firmly attached to the drawing board.

There are three main methods for gluing watercolor paper:

The tape method, the gummed tape method, and the methyl cellulose glue method

The adhesive tape method

This is the most common method of gluing watercolor paper. This method involves taping the watercolor paper to the drawing board with masking tape.

To tape watercolor paper, follow these steps:

1.Cut pieces of masking tape the same size as the watercolor paper.

2. Place the paper on the drawing board.

3. Place the pieces of masking tape lengthwise on each side, along the edges of the watercolor paper.

4. Tape the watercolor paper to the drawing board. Make sure the paper is completely stretched and that there are no wrinkles or creases.

The gummed tape method

is used to secure the paper to a rigid surface, such as a wooden board, to prevent it from wrinkling or moving when painting.

Gummed tape is a kraft paper tape that is slightly moistened with water and placed over the edges of the paper.

The methylcellulose glue method

This is a more advanced method of gluing watercolor paper. This method involves mixing methyl cellulose glue with water and applying it to watercolor paper. Methyl cellulose glue is transparent, flexible and non-toxic.

To glue the watercolor paper with methylcellulose glue, follow these steps:

1. Wet the paper with clean water using a brush or sponge and allow to soak thoroughly.

2. Mix the methylcellulose glue with water according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

3. Apply the methylcellulose glue to the paper on the side you are not going to paint (or on the side that will be in contact with the drawing board) with a brush or spatula, covering the entire surface and edges.

4. Place the paper on the board and smooth out any wrinkles or bubbles with your hands or a roller.

5. Let the paper dry completely before starting to paint.

To prepare the methyl cellulose glue, the following is needed:

Methyl cellulose powder or granules, which can be purchased at drugstores or craft stores.

Water at room temperature

A glass or metal container with a lid

A spoon or stirrer

The procedure for making methyl cellulose glue is as follows:

1.Mix one part of methyl cellulose with 16 parts of water in the container.

2. Stir the mixture well and let it stand overnight.

3. Stir the mixture again the next day and store it in the container with a lid.

Gluing techniques for watercolor paper

Sizing is a layer that is applied to watercolor paper so that the paint does not absorb too much and remain on the surface. There are different sizing techniques for watercolor paper,

such as the following:

Gluing with gelatin:

It involves mixing the sizing with the pulp of the paper during its manufacture, it is used for the best quality papers, which are sized both on the inside and on the surfaces. Gelatin makes the paper stronger and more durable.

Gluing with synthetic sizing:

It is used for lower quality papers, which are only glued on surfaces. Synthetic sizing makes the paper more economical and less absorbent.

Glued on four sides:

It is used for watercolor paper pads that are already stretched and glued together on all four sides. This system allows you to keep the paper taut and prevent it from deforming when painting. To separate the leaves you need a cutter or a scalpel.

Common mistakes when preparing watercolor paper

There are several common mistakes that are made when preparing watercolor paper. One of the most common mistakes is not stretching the watercolor paper properly before painting. If the watercolor paper is not stretched correctly, it can warp during the painting process, which can affect the quality of the work.

Another common mistake is not gluing the watercolor paper correctly to the drawing board. If the watercolor paper is not firmly attached to the drawing board, it can move during the painting process, which can affect the quality of the artwork.

Tips for the maintenance of stretched paper

Once the watercolor paper is stretched and glued, it is important to keep it in good condition to ensure the quality of the work. To keep stretched watercolor paper in good condition, follow these tips:

1.Store watercolor paper in a cool, dry place.

2. Avoid exposing watercolor paper to direct sunlight or moisture.

3. Use a drawing board to protect watercolor paper during transport.

4. Use a fixative spray to protect the work once it is dry.

Conclusion: The Impact of Proper Paper Preparation

In conclusion, proper preparation of the watercolor paper is essential to achieve the best results in your work. This involves stretching and gluing the watercolor paper, and gluing it if necessary.

Proper preparation of the watercolor paper helps to prevent the paper from warping during the painting process, ensure that the paint is applied evenly, and make sure that the work is durable and sturdy.

By following the tips and techniques presented in this article, you will be able to properly prepare watercolor paper and achieve the best results in your artwork.