Don't piddle in your puddles...or Adventures in Watercolor on Canvas.

Don’t piddle in your puddles… or adventures in watercolor on Canvas

Watercolor on canvas is an interesting challenge for watercolorists.  The benefits are being able to use standard size canvas by Fredrix that are pretreated for watercolor.

The ability to paint a piece and hang it on the wall without costly framing is a big advantage.  The techniques are basically the same except the pigment floats on top of the canvas instead of soaking into the paper.  The canvas doesn’t buckle or ripple like wet paper allowing you to work as wet as you like. 

I start with Fredrix watercolor canvas or board, with watercolor pencil I sketch the image.  I initially used graphite pencil.  The graphite would leave gray shadows and smears when water was added.  When using watercolor pencil I use a pale blue non-staining color.  I work flat, it works best for me because of the pigment and water floating on the surface.  Air drying or using a hairdryer are two mentions to get the pigment to stay where you placed it. 

Remember this is watercolor and happy accidents happen and you need to go with the flow.

Glazing (painting over pigment already on the canvas) is also as possible as on paper. One gentle glazing over already painted areas will not disturb the initial pigment. (Gentle is the key.) Don’t go back into that area until it is dry. Don’t piddle in your puddles.

The techniques of adding pigment to already wet areas to get shading works great.

Texture techniques like salt and plastic wrap works great. 

Removing pigment with clear water on a paintbrush is another great technique.

Experiment and try different techniques.

When the piece is dry spray it with varnish to protect your work.

Hang on the wall and enjoy!