ANN'S LATEST WORKSHOP TECHNIQUES 

Paint on Smooth Surfaces

I love painting on a variety of smooth surfaces. They allow lifting and the translucent watercolor effects and textures I prefer. They are perfect for painting our local streams and rocky lakeshore, as well as flowers and other subjects. Strathmore Aquarius II paper coated with gesso, allows color to be: glazed in layers; lifted easily to white and sprayed to make textures. The gritty surface texture is hard on brushes, so keep some just for that surface. You can sand the surface to smooth it, which adds to the preparation time. Paper covered with Matte, or gloss gel medium, is similar to working on gesso without the texture and is easier on brushes. Strathmore 5 ply Bristol board with a high plate surface is a fairly thick board with a matte smooth surface that is kind to brushes and allows lifting quite well. Since it was discontinued, my replacement is Strathmore’s 500 series illustration board 5 ply High Plate Surface. It is similar to Bristol board, but produces even better results. Although Strathmore still manufactures the 3 and 4-ply boards, I do not like them.

Other choices include: watercolor boards, illustration boards, Clayboard and plastic Yupo sheets. All are interesting, but they vary in liftability and technique. Yupo is challenging, but fun.

It’s exciting to have a new material, or tool, take you in a different direction. I hope you’ll try several surfaces and discover what they have to offer. Challenge yourself and your work will grow. Enjoy your creative path and be open to the possibilities! We never finish learning. It is a lifelong process.

BOARDS & PAPER

CHEAP JOE’S ART STUFF CATALOG & DANIEL SMITH CATALOG

Strathmore Illustration Board (500 Series) 5 ply, High Plate Surface; 20 x 30"5pk

Strathmore Bristol Board (500 Series) Heavy Plate Surface; 4 Ply 23 x 29”: 5pk

Yupo: Medium wt, 20 x 26”; 5pk

Crescent Illustration Board, Hot pressed 20 x 30”

Crescent #114 Watercolor Board

Strathmore Aquarius II Watercolor Paper, 90lb for coating only

TO PREPARE PAPER SURFACES (STRATHMORE 90LB AQUARIUS II (SUGGESTED)

Liquitex Acrylic Gesso / Golden’s Fluid Matte or Gloss Acrylic Medium

Foam brush applicators / Paint Roller / Old 2-3” house painting brush

Plastic Sheeting to protect table 

 
TEXTURES ON ILLUSTRATION BOARD

WATER SPRAY AGAINST ROCKS

Spray clear water with a toothbrush where you want the sprayed texture. You may have to cover any painted areas where you don’t want spray.  Knock excess water out of the toothbrush, or touch it to a sponge to remove excess water. This lets you adjust the size of the spray. Let the water droplets sit for a few seconds and then blot with paper towel or tissue. For directed texture, move the towel as you lift in the direction desired.

ROCKS:

WHILE WET

1. Paint the rocks, wait a few seconds and spray with water, or paint on the toothbrush. Look sideways at the surface, so you can see if it is still shiny, or just damp. Paint will just run down the page if you add more water to a very watery area. The damp stage will react differently since there is less water on the paper. Different textures are made by varying the amount of moisture, or by how wet the surface paint is. Try a test area; spray at different stages of wetness as the paint dries to discover the possible textures. The angle of the board can be adjusted to direct the flow of paint too.
2. While wet, use your finger, palm, or an object to imprint the surface with texture.

WHEN DRY

3. After the painted rocks have dried, spray with a wet toothbrush and blot with a tissue or towel.
4. After the painted rocks have dried, wipe an area with a dampened towel or tissue.

WATER

a. Lay a wash down on a wet or dry surface and spray with a toothbrush, or sprayer. Suggest direction by turning the paper in the direction of the water’s flow. Gravity will suggest flowing water when you spray into the paint. Spray paint on with a toothbrush too.