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Michael Robinson

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Just wondered if anyone has used a watercolour canvas? I bought a few last year and tried one out but it ended up in the bin as it was so awful. Thought I may try again and wondered if anyone had any tips.
With Sarah, Phil, Ellen, Rose the dentist, and the granddaughter whose name I forget.

Robert Jones, Napa

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I saw some watercolours on canvas, from an artist's trip to the Taklamakan Desert - they were quite fantastic. Unfortunately, that's as far as I can go, because I've never used watercolour on canvas, or even know, I'm afraid, how they're prepared to take the watercolour. I THINK the article in which I saw these paintings was in The Artist magazine, although it may have been Leisure Painter. Reluctant to send Dawn, Ingrid and Dr Bulgin on a wild goosechase, but I wonder if they remember the article and can reproduce it? When I read the piece, I was not at all proficient with watercolour - which makes it, he said modestly, a few years old because I'm at least less hopeless now, if not actually good; and I wouldn't mind giving it a go, if I could get a bit of guidance (I'm OK in oils and acrylic - watercolour is a much more recent adventure for me). Of course it might not have been either of these publications - my memory is a little wobbly (compared to what it was, anyway: I DID have an excellent memory in me yoof) - so apologies in advance if I saw it somewhere else. But if it could be found, I'd appreciate it as much as you. http://www.isleofwightlandscapes.net http://www.wightpaint.blogspot.co.uk

Peter Davison

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No experience of this myself but wonder if a coat of texture paste might be an effective preparation. A future experiment maybe? I'll add it to the ever lengthening list!
Moi 17

Linda Wilson

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The tip is to not put canvases in the bin. They can always be gesso'd and painted on again. But why would you want to use watercolour on canvas? I've accidentally produced a watercolour effect on canvas, by using too much water with acrylic. I got a wet into wet effect. But I have since learnt that this could result in the paint becoming unstable.

Sylvia Evans

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I will have a go at this it really appeals, not sure if I would use the textured paste. I think a surface e.g. Gesso to mimic w/c paper. I can imagine it would have a lovely time running around the canvas texture. .

Sylvia Evans

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no ignorant than I am Ellen. My assumption and I could be wrong is that it is a normal canvas and Im going to gesso it....anyone got another idea?

Michael Robinson

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I bought three of them from SAA. They are called Frisk Artist's Watercolour Canvas (specifically formulated for watercolour) made from 100% cotton 250gm, mould made and acid free. Pine stretched bars with stapled back and wooden wedges. Size 12" x 10". Don't know if they come in different sizes. I think they are made by 'Artcoe'. I bought them thinking it would save on framing but as I said, the first one I tried didn't work really well. I'm so surprised that you lot haven't heard of them, maybe they have come out quite recently. I must try again and see if I can make a better job. I will get some gesso and paint over the ruined one!

Michael Robinson

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Well I've had another go and am pleased with the result of my anemone. I build the watercolour up in stages until I get to the colour I want. I will certainly try these watercolour canvases again in the future although it was a 'different feel' when painting. I've put a photo in the gallery but for some reason it looks a bit blurry.

Sylvia Evans

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Looks good. Glad you tried again. Is this with a gesso finish ?

Michael Robinson

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You made me laugh Syd and many thanks. Sylvia it doesn't say on the packaging whether or not if it is gesso but it must be something like it. I must say the canvas stayed wetter for longer than paper and I'm going to try it again.
With Sarah, Phil, Ellen, Rose the dentist, and the granddaughter whose name I forget.

Robert Jones, Napa

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Mae West's reply to someone who said he wanted her in the worst possible way. "The worst way I know," she drawled, "is standin' up, in a hammock." And I'm sure she was right, but I've never tried it. I think we should give Dawn the task of finding out which magazine this article on watercolour canvases was covered in, because I'm sure it was covered in one of them. (I just hope it wasn't ........ a Rival publication.) http://www.isleofwightlandscapes.net http://www.wightpaint.blogspot.co.uk

Ruth Dolan

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Robert.. .Re Mae West...I doubt she ever crossed the Irish channel in a rough ...VERY rough...sea sharing a single bunk on a ship bound for North America.....! Yes, the mind boggles, doesn't it! She don't know nuthink, mate! In comparison a hammock would be a doddle..... ( Ruth! Control yourself! Sorry about that, Robert, but could not resist.) I get these naughty moments but as they say "Laughter is good for the soul" and oh boy, how true that is! I have been killing myself with the giggles ever since I read your posting and visualised the implications. Dear Mae West, she was a breath of fresh air in a stifled world, no doubt about it.