Stop Your Paper From Curling.

Most painters use either the tape, staples or towel method. In this blog we discuss each option and the benefits of each.

The first step to a successful watercolor painting is ensuring that your setup helps your paper remain flat, with no buckling or curling. There are a few other areas to consider when setting up your work station. In this article we’ll cover the different options as well as offer setup tips for watercolor painting.

Key Takeaways

1. Setting a watercolor painting work station consists of choosing how to ensure that your paper remains flat while you paint.

2. Watercolor paper setup options consists of using either tape, glue or a towel.

3. The towel method provides the most consistent results without a waiting period like the other two options.

Watercolor setup options

Tape: Some people prefer to tape down their paper. To use this method, choose a good quality painters masking tape and a rigid surface such as Masonite sketch board. Place your paper on the board and carefully tape along each edge of the paper creating a nice, straight frame. You can also use a few small pieces of tape to help hold the paper in place while you tape your first edge. Painters tape is preferable, as it's designed to not damage surfaces when removed. The beige tape is best because it won’t distract your eye as much as the colored tape. With this option, you get a crisp white frame around the edges of your work.

Staples: With this method you will need a stapler and rigid surface like Gator board or foam core. Gator board has a rigid veneer over a foam core that will accept the staples. Wet the paper on both sides to let the fibers relax and expand. Place on the gator board and staple every one to two inches near the edge of all for sides. Let the paper dry and shrink. Once dry, you can paint directly on the mounted paper and remove when complete.

Towel: With the towel method, you’ll need a large terry cloth towel. This towel should be bigger than your paper size. As the fibres of the towel begin to get wet, it will dampen the back of the paper and pull it down and hold it in place. This method is awesome because you can float the colors off the edges of the page and on to the towel without making a mess. You get to use your full canvas and paint the entire scene, without cropping anything out and you can also use the towel to remove excess water from your brushes.

Which watercolor setup is right for you?

So which option is best? The towel method tends to give the most consistent results for all types of paintings with the least downsides. There’s no waiting for glue to dry, just put down your towel and go. You can also paint right off the edge of the paper, whereas tape creates a frame. Tape is also a slick surface, so when you float the paint off the page and onto the tape, it can sometimes pool there. This can create a backwash effect, where it leaks back into your painting, creating unwanted blooms where it lands. In most situations, the towel method will serve you best.

Setup tips for watercolor painting

If you’re going for the towel method, there is a little bit of prep involved. You’ll want to get the terry cloth towel slightly damp to begin with. Using a spray bottle, spray the towel with water until it’s damp - not soaking wet. Cover your surface with the towel evenly before laying your paper onto it. Then, as you begin painting and your paper gets wet, you’ll notice the towel sucking the painting down even more.

As you paint with the towel method, don’t be afraid to paint right off the paper and onto the towel - this will give you a really gorgeous, uninterrupted brushstroke. The towel also allows you to clean and dry your brush more easily. You can go from your cup of water right to dry off the brush on the towel, and back into your color palette. Using this method, your work station stays cleaner and more organized, and your painting will stay flat with no buckling.

Closing thoughts

Whatever method you choose for your watercolor setup, the key is being prepared. You should always keep supplies on hand for all of the methods you like, so you’re never forced to use a method that is less than desirable for the type of painting you’re working on. Try them all and see what works best for you!

Interested in learning more?

Check out our YouTube video on this subject with Arts of Course instructor Jess Rice.

You may also want to read 16 simple things to know to begin with watercolors and create successful paintings.

Download our free Top 10 Watercolor Tips by 200 passionate painters

Categories: Watercolor Techniques, Watercolor tips