This video shows my preferred method, stretching on the same stretcher bars used for canvas, and an alternate method for those who have difficulty. How to stretch the paper:
Two alternatives to stretching watercolor paper
Remember to apply a little water to the adhesive of the paper but not too much as that can ruin the glue.
How to stretch watercolor paper with tape. Blot away any excess paper on the paper surface with a clean towel or sponge and leave to dry flat overnight. The paper, soaked and ready to tape to the board taping down the soaked paper with brown gummed tape the freshly taped paper, with a roll of kitchen towel to dry it with. Why would you stretch watercolor paper?
Tape the sheet to the board using gummed paper tape or masking tape. When you soak the paper it expands. Fill a large sink or bath with water and submerge the paper, rolling or folding it as necessary, but avoiding creasing it.
Fasten the paper down to the board or frame with masking tape or with binder clips. You then fix the edges of the paper so that when. Removing a gummed tape on an already stretch watercolor paper is most of the times horrifying.
Create your painting while the sheet is still taped to the board. The heaviest paper (300 lb) may not need to be stretched; Soak your paper taking care to blot the excess water from paper surface and edges.
She is using arches 140lb cold pressed bright white paper. Simply rewet your paper for a minute or two. How to avoid the dilemma.
It is a chore to do this, but there will be no more valleys collecting the paint and no more buckles. First you soak the pape r, then you stretch it. After measuring the paper dimensions, straighten the piece and start cutting the tape to cover around 0.25 to 0.5 inches of the paper edges.
The risk with gummed tape on a stretch watercolor paper. Press, smooth and blot with sponge or paper towel. Stretching your watercolour doesn't have to be messy or difficult.
It doesn’t matter if the tape folds around the edges of the board. Just like any adhesive tapes which help in a lot of ways. You can do it with masking tape and be ready to paint 15 minutes!
Let the paper dry overnight. A bowl of clean water: Lay the board on a flat surface and wait for paper to completely dry.
If you have a relatively small piece of paper, say 9×12″, then you can just use cheap clear packing tape to hold the watercolor paper down to a hard surface or board. Stick the tape along all four edges of your paper. Using a utility sponge moisten the adhesive on the tape for the top edge of your paper.
Spray the gummed side of the tape with a very light misting of water. The knack to a successful 'stretch' is to ensure that the paper and the gummed tape are of a similar wetness and, so, will dry at the same rate. Paper can be stretched up to a size of approximately 1.5m x 2.5m but if you go beyond that, the tension in the paper will be too strong.
Once the paper is dry, it will be stretched tight on the board and will not warp when watercolor is added. Now, use plain old masking tape around the stapled edges. Re tape the paper to the board using new tape.
How to stretch watercolor paper. To wet the gummed tape. Place the tape along all four edges of the paper, covering about a quarter of an inch.
Whichever method you choose to stretch your paper, the basic approach is the same: I like to just tape the dry paper right down to my work table. Align it with the top edge and let it overlap onto the paper at least an inch.
Whichever method you choose to stretch your paper, the basic approach is the same: The packing tape will peel cleanly off of the watercolor paper without ripping. Allow 1″ for gummed paper tape all the way round your paper when cutting to size.
I lay dry paper on a board, wet it with a wash of clean water with a 3 inch wide soft chinese brush, leave for a minute and then tape the top edge and stand the board upright on the floor for a couple of minutes, the excess water drains off and the weight of the wetted paper stretches it down a little. If the paper is too wet, blot it with a clean sponge and if the tape is too dry, simply run a damp sponge over it. Try to leave the paper in a warm dry place to dry overnight or if you are in a hurry leave it some minutes.
Apply the gummed tape to each side of the paper/board, overlapping the paper by about 2 cm, and board by about 2cm. Let the sheet dry overnight. How do you tape watercolor paper mounting or taping watercolor paper is a breeze if you have your scissors, a ruler, and tape with you.
It depends on the amount of water you anticipate using in your painting. Repeat step 3 with left, right and bottom edges. How to stretch your watercolor paper:
Lightly wet the gummed strips by dipping your fingers in water and running them across the surface or with a lightly wetted sponge. That is why some artist uses staples as an alternative to. Reduce the amount of moisture on your paper by laying a towel or paper towel over the top of your newly stretched paper.
First you soak the paper, then you stretch it.
