Tiny Watercolor Painting Adventures: Paper vs. Canvas
- Emily Thompson
- Jul 7, 2024
- 5 min read
Updated: Jul 10, 2024
Inspired By...
Since before I was born, my family has had a vacation home at Lake Lure in North Carolina. My grandparents discovered the lake through their best friends and eventually built their own house on the property next door. Over time, my parents came to own the house and have kept it going for mine and my sister's families to enjoy. Our kids have followed in our footsteps, spending countless holidays and weekends taking in the beauty of the lake. The days largely begin on the porch with coffee and relaxation and end on the boat, or back on the porch, for some of the most beautiful sunsets one could imagine. The number of photos I have taken over the years, capturing the beauty of the Lake Lure skies, could fill more than a few coffee table books! One of my favorites was the inspiration behind this fun experiment, which I decided to take on as we were all up here enjoying Memorial Day weekend this year. Come along and see what happened!
Inspired also by Karen Libecap’s mesmerizing Tiny Paintings that I had the pleasure of discovering years ago at Artisphere in Greenville, SC, I decided to create my own tiny masterpieces. Each painting measures less than 2 inches—a true testament to the beauty that can be captured in small spaces. I chose to combine my two inspirations with my love for watercolor painting, however, being an art teacher that also strives to keep learning I knew I couldn't stop there. I decided to add a fun twist and experiment with some of my favorite art supplies already in my box as well as materials I had not yet investigated.
If you need your own supplies, feel free to click on any of the links within this article, or view the full list I have compiled for you here. The links in this article are affiliate links that allow me to continue maintaining this website and experimenting to bring you new techniques and materials. Thanks for your support in helping the studio stay smART!!!
Supplies and Materials
For both of the paintings, I used Dr. Ph. Martin's Hydrus Fine Art Liquid Watercolors, a reliable and affordable choice for any watercolor artist. Since I was on vacation and away from home, I only had Quinacridone Magenta, Hansa Yellow Light, Cobalt Blue, and Sepia in my easel box this time, but there are SO many other individual colors and sets to choose from on Dick Blick. But I didn't stop there; I wanted to see how things would perform on different surfaces. So, I created two (mostly) identical paintings using different substrates: high-quality Arches Watercolor Paper and a pre-primed stretched canvas, which I also prepared with a homemade watercolor ground that I'll tell you more about in a minute. In addition to the paints and surfaces, I also used my current favorite Transon watercolor brushes that I received in a workshop directed by renowned plein-air watercolorist Russell Jewell, as well as an inexpensive palette that I've had for years.
The Paper Experience
First up, the Arches Watercolor Paper. This paper is a staple in the watercolor community, known for its excellent absorption and durability. As I painted, I was reminded why I love this paper so much. The colors blended seamlessly, creating soft gradients and sharp details where needed. The texture of the paper added an extra dimension to the artwork, enhancing the overall feel of the painting. Most of all, though, Arches is great for reworking and lifting off areas that may need correction, which is essential to those still learning and experimenting with watercolor painting. It has allowed me to feel more confident in making mistakes and has cut down on a great deal of frustration throughout my painting journey.
The Canvas Adventure
Next, I tackled the pre-primed stretched canvas. Before starting, I applied a layer of my homemade watercolor ground to create a surface that in theory, mimics the texture of watercolor paper and encourage watercolors to interact in a similar way to paper. This step is crucial for anyone wanting to use watercolors on canvas according to several watercolorists I have talked to. The medium is a simple mix of 3 parts acrylic gesso and 1 part modeling paste and was a much more cost effective alternative to the store bought, pre-mixed versions given that it makes a much larger quantity. To my delight, the colors were just as vibrant on the canvas as they were on the paper, however, the paint didn't seem to move on the canvas the way it does on the paper. The canvas provided a slightly different finish that, in the end, looked more like acrylic paint than watercolor. While I like the look of the final painting, it did not appear the way I thought it would.
Tiny Details, Big Differences
Despite their small size, both paintings turned out beautifully. The Arches Watercolor Paper offered a more traditional watercolor look, with its soft textures and smooth color transitions. On the other hand, the canvas gave the painting a bit of a modern twist, with slightly more defined details and a different interaction with the paint.
Future Experiments
This experiment has sparked some new ideas and desires to further my knowledge of this discipline that comes with so many fun challenges! I'm planning to try painting on an unprimed stretched canvas, applying my homemade watercolor ground directly to the raw canvas to see how it affects the painting process and final look. Additionally, I want to compare this with pre-made watercolor ground to explore any differences in texture and performance from my homemade version. Stay tuned for updates on these exciting experiments!
Choose Your Adventure
Whether you prefer the classic feel of watercolor paper or the unique texture of canvas, both options have their own charm. And the best part? You can try them both and see which one you love the most.
I hope this little experiment inspires you to explore different materials and discover new ways to express your creativity. I'd love to see your own experiments, so if you try something out based on this article make sure to post and tag me using #smartstudiosc. Remember, the journey of art is all about trying new things and finding what works best for you.
Happy painting!
Emily
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