I'm still refining my skills in gallery wrapping a watercolour. This time I used some foam core cut to size on top of the stretcher bars and then wrapped the stretched watercolour paper around both. It makes the painted surface far more sturdy both while you are working on it and once its finished. I still have to fix and varnish it but its looking promising. I'm getting to grips with the wrapping stage but It is definitely worth having a willing helper for a few extra hands.
This one has taken a bit longer than the last (about 7 hours) as I wanted to play with a low key effect. The black background is created with transparent watercolours (no black was used) Its actually about 10 glazes of different blues, both siennas, sepia and raw umber.
I took the photo from this angle so you can see that I have gallery wrapped the painting too. I ended up balancing the stretched frame on an upturned pot so I could work on the sides at the same time as the front of the painting to get a nice smooth wash over the whole area. I'm really pleased with the effect and it will certainly be an option that I offer to any future client requesting a commission. This painting, along with the painting of the baby are not for sale but will be used as examples of the effect that can be created in this style of presenting a watercolour.
Ona
Great painting and I am enjoying learning about your new technique too. What size is your painting? Are you using 140lb or 300lb watercolor paper?
ReplyDeleteOh, I have another question. Do you put the paper on the stretcher bars dry or do you wet it first? I am intriqued. I have varnished my watercolors before but they were on claybord.
ReplyDeleteHi Vicki, I use 140lb. I dont think you could wrap 300lb. The painting is 10 by 10 inches. Yes I stretch the paper while wet before painting. Are you going to have a go?
ReplyDeleteOna
Thank you so much for the info Ona. Yes, I want to give this a try. Yours looks so professional!
ReplyDeleteLooking good Ona!!
ReplyDeleteLooks great, Ona! Love your black!
ReplyDeleteI have a couple of technical questions:
How do you attach the foamcore to the stretcher frame?
What varnish do you use?
This way of finishing a watercolor is something I really want to try. Thank you in advance for your reply.
I am really liking the gallery wrap look and the painting is just beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThanks JJ
ReplyDeleteAlex, I didn't attach the foam core to the frame. It really is just sandwiched in between the frame and paper. I might consider it for a larger frame size, just along one side to stabilize it while i'm wrapping but for a small one and several hands it was ok.
I'm using liquitex satin varnish. I really seems to bring out the texture of the watercolour paper without causing too much glare. If you have a go I hope you will let me see your results.
Thank you Ann.
Ona
Thank you for the quick reply, Ona! I will try this - looks very good - like all things you do!
ReplyDeleteOna thank you for me also - I am going to try this method also. I can't wait to see this floated in frame. Excellent work!
ReplyDeleteWell, I gave this a try Ona - its on my blog. It was a bit of work folding in the corners, but I'm pleased with the results. Thank you for your sharing with us.
ReplyDeleteso good to see so many of you trying this out yourselves. Its such fun to do. You get all the joy of working on good quality watercolour paper and with watercolour paints but the finished result looks like a gallery wrapped canvas.
ReplyDeleteJeanne, thank you so much for letting me know. I love your painting! I'm glad you are pleased with it too. The wrapping is definitely something that gets easier with practice. I've done three now (my third one is still being painted) and I'm heaps better at the wrapping already.