How to stretch watercolor paper
If you are using watercolor paper that is less than 260lbs, then you need to stretch it first so that it does not warp when you apply the paint. It takes a little effort, but it will ensure that your painting stays flat.
Here are the steps to follow for stretching your watercolor paper.
Materials
- gummed brown tape
- watercolor paper
- a large flat pan of cold water (or a bathtub)
- two sponges (preferably different colors)
- drawing board
Steps
- Cut your watercolor paper to the size you want to paint on.
- Cut four strips of gummed brown tape, one for each side of the paper. Make the strips slightly longer than the sides.
- Place the watercolor paper in the cold water, using a sliding motion, until it is thoroughly soaked (no more than five to ten minutes, depending on the weight or it will disintegrate).
- Gently lift the watercolor paper out of the water and allow the water to drip off.
- Lay the watercolor paper onto the clean drawing board, which must be lying flat.
- Smooth the paper with one of the sponges, which will also remove any excess water.
- Moisten a strip of the gummed tape with the other sponge, and stick it firmly along one side of the watercolor paper. Make sure the tape is one-third of its width on the watercolor paper and two-thirds of its width on the drawing board.
- Smooth the tape with the sponge.
- Apply the other stips of tape on the on the other three sides.
- Leave to dry for several hours, away from any direct heat source. Keep the board flat at all times or the water will drain to one side and the paper will dry unevenly.
