I have new mediums in my stash.
It's like Christmas morning. New art supply order arrives and I am a child again. Excitedly, I search through the package for mediums for my art supply stash. I am in love with exploring new methods and techniques. My mind gets lost in thinking about new watercolor possibilities for future artworks. Sometimes, I need to shake up my artist techniques a little bit. Can you relate? I have three new mediums to share today. I have been testing out how they can work with my watercolor painting process. Here's the scoop on what I've grasped so far!
I had a specific reason for trying out these mediums:
Watercolor paper can lose its sizing.
I have experienced watercolor paper that is no longer its original best which is frustrating. I learned to buy only the paper I need for several months. Great changes in temperature and humidity can affect the sizing. My art room wasn't always heated and so the range of temperatures was hard on my paper. You might still be asking, "what is sizing?" Watercolor papers are treated with a substance like gelatin that makes the surface less absorbent. The watercolor pigment and water can float on the surface. When a paper loses its sizing, the color and pigment sink down quickly and cannot be lifted out. Many times, a strange speckled texture appears in the paper surface.
I want to add that the papers I have had issues with sizing-wise were high quality 140 lb. watercolor papers. This is not about cheaper paper, though it can happen with any quality of watercolor paper.
I want to add that the papers I have had issues with sizing-wise were high quality 140 lb. watercolor papers. This is not about cheaper paper, though it can happen with any quality of watercolor paper.
If you would like to learn more about watercolor sizing: Birgit O'Connor's blog explains this with more detail. If you would like to see examples of what to watch out for: Karen Sioson's blog describes these paper problems along with photos.
I have odds and ends of 140 lb. cold pressed watercolor paper in my paper stash. I would like to be able to treat those papers so I can still paint on them. My search began with wondering if these mediums would be an asset for this purpose.
I have been playing with these three mediums to understand them better.
For each medium, I first want to know...
For each medium, I first want to know...
Question: Will this medium work to help with sizing problems?
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Before you begin trying any of these:
1. Set up a work area away from watercolor palette. Don't let any of this mix on your palette.
2. Use a water container that you'll rinse well afterwards. You probably don't want any of this to migrate to your watercolor painting sessions.
3. Rinse your brushes well and right away.
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The Mediums I Explored with Watercolors:
QoR Lift Aid 118 ml. $8.74
Holbein Sizing Liquid Medium 60 ml. $12.39
Daniel Smith WC Ground Titanium White 4 oz. $8.19
(Prices at time of order from Cheap Joe's Art Stuff, 2018)
Lift Aid by QoR-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I am not sure why I thought this would be a possible solution. I was all out determined to find some options. The QoR lift aid peaked my curiosity. Lifting back to white can be a challenge and I like the idea of having some extra assistance. Don't get me wrong. I am not going to be prepping all my watercolor paper before I begin paintings.