What's the best way to make sure you don't get air bubbles? It always seems perfectly flat and I press and smooth it out, but the next day the paper has some waves in it! Even when it dries perfectly flat, when I add the watercolour, the wetness of the paint starts to make waves in the paper, when it's still taped down. Any advice much appreciated :)
Buckled about 5 sheets of watercolour paper using these instructions because you state that they only need soaking for UNDER 1 min. They need at least 5 minutes.
hey hi. After stretching your paper can you undo it from the board and do wet on wet techniques without paper buckling up? Because I stretched my paper just now and well it was very dry... I undid from the board and just wet some parts of my paper and its buckling up... was I supposed to paint on the board?
Bob, it's good to see there at least two people on this planet who know how to stretch paper. Although our techniques are different, I think our basic concepts and principles are close. I only use "Gator Board' with a couple of coats of gesso. It's lighter and accepts staples easily. If you keep it gessoed it'll hold it's shape pretty good. Check out my presentations. On MCPOFreeman cahnnel.
What is this 'sticky brown paper' exactly? That term seems quite vague, does that mean that it is easy to get hold of and widely available? And that it is easy to recognize the right sort?
@jesterheadflame666 I have heard the "brown sticky paper" also called Butcher's tape, it should be available in any art store that carries watercolour supplies.
aurajinv - you're an idiot! Bob's technique is tried and true. Simply put it works and it works very well. Cease your assine and crass comments unless you can demonstrate a better method.
Poor aurajinv - tell a truth and get head bitten off. Bob's method is good and works, however, I have been stretch full sheet paper for years and there is no way I would touch the surface of the paper - I wouldn't want natural oils on the paper also dabbing may damage the surface or cause the moisture not to spread evenly - not such a problem with smaller pieces. The trick, as Bob points out, really is in how you use the fishpaste tape. - a good video - recommended.
@ihateoj Did you even read my suggestions? I DID tell a better superior method. I have learned my techniques from the famed John Howe, so you really just insulted a legend. Look him up!
you really should not touch the paper pre soaking it (or otherwise!!) so much with your fingertips as the natural oil on them will transfer onto the surface of the paper. i couldn't believe how often you so casually did this and was screaming with disbelief and horror!!
also, depending on a few things (the temperature of the water, the weight of the paper, etc etc) the paper will more cases than not need much longer than a minute to soak.
one more thing. you do not need to pat dry the paper with a towel. what a pedantic and time wasting thing to do. also, unless that old towel is completely stain free and has no chemicals in it from the wash which is quite unlikely you run the risk of ruining the texture of the paper and transferring nasty polutants onto the surface of the paper and no one wants either.
This comment has received too many negative votesshow
well as a young artist i spend all my money on: rent, food and art supplies. i have no time or money to put into such a endeavour. i would, just to counter this horrid example!
i just do not like the fact that this older man (who should know better!! certainly proves the fact that age doesn't always equal wisdom!!) is corrupting the methods of artists who come on here for sound advise and methods and get THAT. THAT is seriously bad technique, bad habits will lead to bad results. poo poo cachoo!
Acrylics can be used like watercolors, heavily diluted, or used like oils,out of the tube with little or no dilution. If you're planning on using them like watercolors, it is a good idea to stretch the paper first.
Another really effective way of stretching watercolour paper is to use a staple gun. (5 staples on each edge) However, it doesn't work with bockinford paper, as the paper tends to tear from the staples, but works really well with Arches 140lbs. Also to get the staples out you will need a flat head screw driver and a pair of pliers.
I've had all kinds of disasters with stretching paper, even the paper stretchers, but this method with the staples has never let me down.
humans and watercolor paper are quite similar;;;that's what i always say!!
for example, watercolor paper is 2-D. as with humans. wp is a rectangle. humans also! and finally, watercolor paper can be stretched.....just like humans can stretch their muscles!
to learn more about the scientific, direct correlation of paper and our species, check out stretchingwitheva03!
I've updated this video as I wasn't happy with a couple of editing issues. It's essentially the same vid but tidied up a bit. Thanks to those who've already rated the earlier version.
everytime i try to stretch my paper for the watercolors the tape starts to come of while its dryin..u must be thinkin that it wouldnt be applied correctly but no i thn also tried to with applyin pins aswell to give the tape some support but evn thn the paper starts to tear from the point of contact of the pin...i dont know wht to do!!!
does it depend on the type of scholar sheets aswell????
You are wetting the brown paper to much or your watercolour paper could be too wet let all the water runoff before you stick it down. Then try wetting the brown paper less I use a j, cloth when wetting the brown paper i wet the cloth a wring it out. You could practice with the brown paper to see how much water to put on.
Thanks Bob, really well explained.
TheBwv1012 2 months ago
What's the best way to make sure you don't get air bubbles? It always seems perfectly flat and I press and smooth it out, but the next day the paper has some waves in it! Even when it dries perfectly flat, when I add the watercolour, the wetness of the paint starts to make waves in the paper, when it's still taped down. Any advice much appreciated :)
xbopeepx 3 months ago 2
@xbopeepx I have the same question too. I hope somebody can help us.
Mr16neutron 2 months ago
Thank you so much :) Have a great day!
blakbeauty144 3 months ago
Thanks great and helpful :)
SailAwayMyFriend 6 months ago
Brilliant! Concise and helpful, as louimac65 says!
unlokia 7 months ago
Great video, very consise and helpful!
louimac65 9 months ago
Great demo, Bob! Thanks!
pointpoint10 11 months ago
I ALWAYS stretch my paper regardless of the paper quality; if it's not flat, I'm not happy and I find it affects my work greatly.
bozomahoney 1 year ago
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jenitadias 1 year ago
Recently I bought a big sheet of 300lb Lanaquarelle paper from a roll.
What would be the best way to straighten it. Regardless what I try, it keeps returning back to the rolled up shape. Thanks
6400az 1 year ago
Buckled about 5 sheets of watercolour paper using these instructions because you state that they only need soaking for UNDER 1 min. They need at least 5 minutes.
petetube99 1 year ago 3
hey hi. After stretching your paper can you undo it from the board and do wet on wet techniques without paper buckling up? Because I stretched my paper just now and well it was very dry... I undid from the board and just wet some parts of my paper and its buckling up... was I supposed to paint on the board?
dishy200 1 year ago
Thank you for this tutorial .I have used the brown stiky tape method but sometimes with heavier papers you can have problems.
ozzymandi 1 year ago
Bob, it's good to see there at least two people on this planet who know how to stretch paper. Although our techniques are different, I think our basic concepts and principles are close. I only use "Gator Board' with a couple of coats of gesso. It's lighter and accepts staples easily. If you keep it gessoed it'll hold it's shape pretty good. Check out my presentations. On MCPOFreeman cahnnel.
MCPOFreeman 1 year ago
What is the best way to remove the sticky paper once the paper is dry?
Reesfun 1 year ago
What is this 'sticky brown paper' exactly? That term seems quite vague, does that mean that it is easy to get hold of and widely available? And that it is easy to recognize the right sort?
jesterheadflame666 1 year ago
@jesterheadflame666 I have heard the "brown sticky paper" also called Butcher's tape, it should be available in any art store that carries watercolour supplies.
elegantblackcat 1 year ago
All hail bob!!!!!!!!!!
mingonuts 1 year ago
it's true, less you touch wet paper -- the better.
shown above is just another way to do it, tape or pins or whatever, everything goes if it works.
sledgehammerr84 1 year ago
Thank you so much for such a wonderful instructions..
cestlina 1 year ago
aurajinv - you're an idiot! Bob's technique is tried and true. Simply put it works and it works very well. Cease your assine and crass comments unless you can demonstrate a better method.
ihateoj 2 years ago
Poor aurajinv - tell a truth and get head bitten off. Bob's method is good and works, however, I have been stretch full sheet paper for years and there is no way I would touch the surface of the paper - I wouldn't want natural oils on the paper also dabbing may damage the surface or cause the moisture not to spread evenly - not such a problem with smaller pieces. The trick, as Bob points out, really is in how you use the fishpaste tape. - a good video - recommended.
Kutther1 2 years ago
@ihateoj Did you even read my suggestions? I DID tell a better superior method. I have learned my techniques from the famed John Howe, so you really just insulted a legend. Look him up!
Assine is not even a word, you fool.
aurajinv 1 year ago
you really should not touch the paper pre soaking it (or otherwise!!) so much with your fingertips as the natural oil on them will transfer onto the surface of the paper. i couldn't believe how often you so casually did this and was screaming with disbelief and horror!!
also, depending on a few things (the temperature of the water, the weight of the paper, etc etc) the paper will more cases than not need much longer than a minute to soak.
aurajinv 2 years ago
one more thing. you do not need to pat dry the paper with a towel. what a pedantic and time wasting thing to do. also, unless that old towel is completely stain free and has no chemicals in it from the wash which is quite unlikely you run the risk of ruining the texture of the paper and transferring nasty polutants onto the surface of the paper and no one wants either.
aurajinv 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
ARGH!! you touched it AGAIN after you put the gum tape over. you will be the death of me, sir!!
you can use a staple gun to more readily secure the paper.
@4:20 do you wear the same shirt every day??
aurajinv 2 years ago
haha, u really dont like this guy do u. idea: make ur own video with ur superior methods!
snaporaz1 2 years ago 3
This comment has received too many negative votes show
well as a young artist i spend all my money on: rent, food and art supplies. i have no time or money to put into such a endeavour. i would, just to counter this horrid example!
i just do not like the fact that this older man (who should know better!! certainly proves the fact that age doesn't always equal wisdom!!) is corrupting the methods of artists who come on here for sound advise and methods and get THAT. THAT is seriously bad technique, bad habits will lead to bad results. poo poo cachoo!
aurajinv 2 years ago
lol
snaporaz1 2 years ago
Thanks for this informative video. I just started painting and I have a couple questions...
Do I need to stretch acrylic paper?
Can I use any flat surface to dry the paper on, or does it have to be a drawing board?
Thanks
thesaxman547 2 years ago
Acrylics can be used like watercolors, heavily diluted, or used like oils,out of the tube with little or no dilution. If you're planning on using them like watercolors, it is a good idea to stretch the paper first.
Nilsosmar 2 years ago
This man is the best teacher ever!
lisa22862 2 years ago
Another really effective way of stretching watercolour paper is to use a staple gun. (5 staples on each edge) However, it doesn't work with bockinford paper, as the paper tends to tear from the staples, but works really well with Arches 140lbs. Also to get the staples out you will need a flat head screw driver and a pair of pliers.
I've had all kinds of disasters with stretching paper, even the paper stretchers, but this method with the staples has never let me down.
horrorfan24 2 years ago
this is not true. i use staples with bockingford paper (300gsm) daily without any tearing. perhaps your technique needs tweaking?
and to get the staples out all you need is a small staple remover, it does not need to become complicated!
aurajinv 2 years ago
You need masking Tape for Watercolour.The Glue on this Tape is
,dont know the English name,"Arabic Gum".The Same stuff that is on cigarette Paper too.You get it on cheap 200 Meters rolls.
Weedus2 2 years ago
can yu use masking tape instead of doin all that?
koohkoo7 3 years ago
Masking tape won't stick to the paper when it's soaked with water. Better to use brown sticky-back paper-tape like he shows in the video.
Nilsosmar 2 years ago
Bob i wanted to ask: dose it mater what kinda tape you use? and if it dose where could i find that brown thingy?
JuodaPastele 3 years ago
humans and watercolor paper are quite similar;;;that's what i always say!!
for example, watercolor paper is 2-D. as with humans. wp is a rectangle. humans also! and finally, watercolor paper can be stretched.....just like humans can stretch their muscles!
to learn more about the scientific, direct correlation of paper and our species, check out stretchingwitheva03!
stretchingwitheva 3 years ago
BOB YOU ARE A GREAT TEACHER.THANK YOU.
stockman8 4 years ago 8
Hi Folks.
I've updated this video as I wasn't happy with a couple of editing issues. It's essentially the same vid but tidied up a bit. Thanks to those who've already rated the earlier version.
cheers
Bob
BobDavies88 4 years ago 5
everytime i try to stretch my paper for the watercolors the tape starts to come of while its dryin..u must be thinkin that it wouldnt be applied correctly but no i thn also tried to with applyin pins aswell to give the tape some support but evn thn the paper starts to tear from the point of contact of the pin...i dont know wht to do!!!
does it depend on the type of scholar sheets aswell????
akhan1 4 years ago
You are wetting the brown paper to much or your watercolour paper could be too wet let all the water runoff before you stick it down. Then try wetting the brown paper less I use a j, cloth when wetting the brown paper i wet the cloth a wring it out. You could practice with the brown paper to see how much water to put on.
rhts54 3 years ago