ART BASICS

Watercolor on Canvas - Carol Sass Tuttle

Like many watercolor artists I sometimes paint directly onto stretched canvas instead of traditional watercolor paper. The effects are terrific and framing is no longer necessary if the painting is protected after it has dried. (More about that later.)
 
Here are some things I've learned along the way while exploring this medium.

Not all canvas is the same! Some canvas has been treated with a finish that makes it hard for traditional watercolor paints to stick. You might like this effect after you have used it for a while but I suggest you try a sample painting on each type of canvas you purchase before beginning a painting you hope to turn into a keeper. Painting in watercolor is difficult enough without having the paint slide off the surface when your back is turned or puddle where you have not intended it to puddle.
 
Some types of canvas I've used were perfect and needed no primer. But another canvas was so slick I wiped off the watercolor paint, let the surface dry and then coated the canvas with matte medium. After letting the matte medium dry thoroughly I proceeded with my watercolor. I continue my designs on the sides of the canvas to finish them, too.
 
When I do not like my painting or want to make changes I can remove some of the paint down to the canvas or matte medium surface with water if the pigments I use are non-staining. Or I can remove only some of the paint if my pigments stain. I can also go over parts of the painting with more matte medium and block out parts I do not like. Matte medium will pick up some of the paint beneath it however so I don't expect it to be a true white unless I have been able to remove all the paint first. I make sure the matte medium is completely dry before I rework an area.
 
I use my less favorite watercolor brushes when working directly on canvas and canvas treated with matte medium. The surface is rougher than watercolor paper and I want to know my best brushes have not lost any of their spring or edge from working on this coarser surface.
 
After my painting is done and I am satisfied with it, I let it dry thoroughly. Then I spray it with a coat or two of clear permanent fixative. I use Krylon low odor, clear, matte finish. After each coat has dried completely I can brush on a coat of varnish. Most often I use Golden Polymer Varnish with UVLS (Matte). I have tried their satin and gloss finishes also for different effects.
 
I'm still exploring this medium but love having finished pieces that are durable and do not require framing or glass protection. 

Comments

[Valli Thayer McDougle]

Golden's Absorbent Ground is another choice for preparing canvas -- and other surfaces, such as metal, wood, etc. -- for painting with watercolor. The manufacturer describes it as "A 100% Acrylic Polymer Emulsion Ground, useful for creating acrylic and traditional watercolor washes on gessoed surfaces...." As Carol has described with the other surface preparations, one can easily get back to the white of the canvas or other surface. Absorbent Ground is highly recommended by artist and workshop instructor Robert Burridge.