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Coloured Watercolour paper
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Message
Posted
I have just purchased so Bockingford Tint Watercolour paper 300gsm (140lbs) NOT, the colours are cream and light blue, this is the first time i have purchased colored paper and I intend to use it for painting birds, wildlife, flowers etc, is there any pit falls to look out for with using this paper.
Amy advice most welcome.
Phil
Posted
The only pitfall I can think of is that you might find yourself fighting with the colour of the paper as opposed to making use of it to provide patches where you might not actually need paint. I have used a pale blue tinted paper before now: it didn't really work for me because it seemed to dictate the mood of the painting: it made it colder than I wanted - but then, I shouldn't have chosen that paper for what I was trying to do. Pastellists often use a tinted paper, but then pastel is an opaque medium - you might find your paper works with gouache; using it with transparent watercolour is likely to test you: but then, that's what painting is about.
http://www.isleofwightlandscapes.net
http://www.wightpaint.blogspot.co.uk
Posted
Hi ,
Welcome to the site, Phil,
Tinted/coloured paper is not the best for you to use for watercolour as it defeats the purpose. The advantage to using white paper as opposed to a coloured one is that the white shines through, giving that lovely clarity which watercolourists look for. Many watercolourists leave as much white as possible in their paintings as it adds a freshness and sparkle.
A more effective medium, for the subjects you mention... birds especially... is gouache. Also this is most effective on a tinted paper, which you have just bought. Gouache is relatively inexpensive...you really need only the three primary colours, red, blue and yellow, with white, plus black unless you know how to mix black (from the other colours combined) are all that you need to start with. Gouache (Or Poster paint as it was then called,) is what I started with and I loved it, and still do. It will always have a necessary place in my collection.
Posted
I would say in defence of coloured watercolour paper that it is absolutely first class if you want to set a mood to a painting. I have seen some very good paintings of moonlight and fog. Also if an atmosphere of menace is wanted. Paintings which have a very high eye line and many shadows could also be done on coloured paper.
John
Posted
Congratulations PhotoPhil on taking an adventurous plunge by trying a tinted Bockingford watercolour paper. Other comments warn against its use by stating that it should not be used - very sad.
Well things have progressed and the use of purely transparent wash techniques have given way to more expressive ones which incorporate Acrylic and Gouache with fine ground transparent watercolours.
So to get the best out of your tinted Bockingford you will have to devise different ways of applying paint to the paper. You can get inspiration from contributors to the ever shifting Gallery!. A nice example was a contribution from David Wilkes. Unfortunately by the time I was ready to post this comment his picture had vanished so you will have to search for him or follow him.
To see the whole gamut of watercolour techniques being used by contemporary RWS members you will have to acquire a copy of 'The Watercolour Expert'. Worth every penny if you are a serious student of Watercolour.
Edited
by robK2
Posted
I've just acquired a copy of said book and it's worth every penny. Loads of advice from loads of artists on different aspects and something you can dip into and out of at your leisure and return to over and over again. I've not read all the articles yet but already treasure it - second hand copies available on Amazon - I got mine for just over £6 including postage.