This just changed my life. I always stretch my paper, stapling just like you demonstrated. But then I removed it, used a light table to transfer and then re-attached to gatorboard. I'm trying this today. Just found your channel. I'm a detail junkie and can't imagine painting any other way. Thank you for sharing your work and knowledge.
Since gator board was so costly, I went to my home improvement store and bought a foam board. It was relatively inexpensive and came in a large sheet. I then cut into smaller boards. Seems to work well. I also wet , stretch and glue my paper onto wood art boards. It’s a daring move since I feel I can’t mess up. But it’s perfect for not wrinkling or buckling. And it’s ready to mount when I’m finished. I rub with the wax when I’m done to preserve it.
Thanks for sharing this, Melanie. I tried foam board from a home store, but it wasn't thick enough and buckled when the paper dried. Maybe I can find some thicker.
Thank you so much for making this video. I have avoided doing stretching because it seemed so complicated. But you explained it in such a way that I think I can do it. Thanks again!!!
Thanks Karen! Like you, I used to avoid stretching for the same reason as you mentioned, but it really is simple. And when you make it a habit, it's easy!
Excellent! I wet my paper on both sides with a very wet sponge. Since we are in a drought here, I don’t use a tub of water. I staple to gator board also.
Hi Rebecca, excellent video on stretching watercolor paper! And its exactly how I learned years ago to do it. Im looking forward to your portrait lesson on the 28th of this month.
When I got my foam board equivalent of gatorboard it came in very large panels that I cut down into different sizes for different sizes of paper. then I take some time and prepare 4 or 5 pieces of paper at a time so that when the desire to paint arises, it's all ready! I didn't know about the product from Blick at the time
Thanks for the video Rebecca, it's really interesting to see how different artists have different ways of stretching paper! When you are done with the painting, do you then remove the staples and trim all four sides of the paper?
Yes, Bradford, I agree. Graphite paper can be difficult to erase. I use a light touch when creating the drawing. When it's pale, it's erasable. I'm using Kingart Graphite Transfer paper from Dick Blick. I'll put the link in the description.
I tried drawing on paper and then stretching, It works, but, it does show through on the back side. In my case, it was a ‘failed’ painting in which case I use the other side. But, with the pencil sketch bleeding through, I couldn’t do that. So for me, I do not sketch before stretching
