Isabella Flores
Painting on regular paper can be challenging due to the paper's tendency to warp or buckle when exposed to water or paint. This occurs when paper fibres absorb moisture unevenly, causing the paper to expand and contract in different areas, resulting in a warped surface that dries in that position. To prevent this, artists employ various techniques, including using heavier paper, taping down the paper's edges, applying paint gradually, and soaking the paper before painting to ensure uniform expansion. Additionally, watercolour paper, designed with sizing to prevent excessive water absorption, can be used to minimise warping. These methods help artists create beautiful paintings without the frustration of dealing with warped paper.
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What You'll Learn
Use heavier paper
Using heavier paper is a great way to prevent warping when painting. Warping occurs when the fibres in the paper absorb moisture unevenly, causing it to expand and contract in different places. Heavier paper, such as watercolour paper, contains more fibres and is therefore less prone to warping.
When choosing paper, look for a higher gram weight per square metre (GSM) or pound weight. Most good watercolour paper is around 300 GSM, but you can also find heavier options. For example, the Strathmore 400 series acrylic paper is slightly heavier than 140 lb, while the Arches Oil Paper is suitable for acrylic paints and is even heavier.
If you are using a lot of water, consider opting for even thicker paper. Thicker paper can absorb more water without warping. You can also try using watercolour paper blocks, where the paper is fixed on all sides, helping it to retain its dimensions and prevent warping.
While heavier papers may be more expensive and less convenient, they can be a worthwhile investment to prevent warping and ensure your paintings remain flat and even.
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Tape down the edges
Taping down the edges of your paper is a great way to prevent it from warping or curling. This method is especially useful if you are using a lot of water, as this can cause the fibres in the paper to absorb moisture unevenly, leading to warping as it dries.
To effectively tape down your paper, start by choosing a sturdy, flat surface to work on. A wooden board or desk are both good options. Next, select an appropriate tape. Acid-free, pH-neutral, or archival-grade tape is best, as it won't cause your paper to degrade over time. You can use masking tape, but some people find that this can rip the paper. Instead, you could opt for drafting tape or washi tape, which is less sticky but still strong enough to hold the paper in place. Before applying the tape to your paper, you can try pressing it onto your pants first to remove some of the stickiness and reduce the chance of tearing.
Once you have your tape, apply it to the edges of your paper, holding it in place on your chosen surface. You can also tape the edges of the paper directly to your desk or board, although this will make it less portable. Alternatively, you can attach your paper to a board that can be moved if needed.
Taping down the edges of your paper is a simple and effective way to prevent warping. By following these steps, you can ensure your paper stays flat and secure while you paint.
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Apply washes gradually
To avoid warping regular paper when painting, it is important to apply washes gradually. This means that instead of adding large volumes of water in one go, you should gradually add washes, allowing each layer to dry before adding the next. This technique helps to prevent warping by giving the paper time to absorb the water evenly and reducing the formation of puddles or pools of water, which can cause the paper fibres to expand and contract unevenly, resulting in warping.
When applying washes gradually, start by loading your brush with the paint mixture and begin painting at the top of the paper, working your way down. Use smooth, sweeping motions and apply the paint evenly, ensuring that you avoid creating puddles or dry patches. You can use a large, flat brush to help you cover a larger area with each stroke and maintain a consistent application of paint.
If you are working on a large area, it is a good idea to break it down into smaller sections and focus on one section at a time. This helps you to control the amount of water applied and ensures that each section has an even wash. By working in sections, you can also easily manage the drying process, as you can let each section dry before moving on to the next, preventing the paper from becoming oversaturated.
Additionally, you can use techniques such as wetting the paper before painting to help control the absorption of water. This involves using a damp brush or sponge to lightly wet the paper before applying the paint. This technique helps to prevent the paper from soaking up too much paint and water, reducing the risk of warping.
Applying washes gradually is a technique that takes practice and patience. It is important to experiment and find the right balance of water and paint, as well as the speed at which you work, to achieve the desired results without warping your paper.
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Soak the paper before painting
If you want to paint on regular paper without it warping, one method you can try is soaking and stretching the paper before you start painting. This process involves first soaking the paper in water and then stretching it out on a flat surface to dry. Here's a step-by-step guide:
Soak the Paper
Start by thoroughly wetting both sides of your paper with clean water. Use a brush or sponge to apply a thin, even layer of water to the surface of the paper. Make sure the paper is completely wet but not saturated to the point of puddling or dripping.
Stretch the Paper
Once your paper is wet, place it on a flat surface, such as a wooden board or a flat tabletop. Gently pull and stretch the paper, smoothing out any wrinkles or creases. Use strong painter's tape or staples to secure the edges of the paper to the surface, holding it taut. You can also try using a stapler to secure the paper, but be careful not to tear it.
Let it Dry
Allow the paper to air-dry completely before removing the tape or staples. The drying process may take several hours or even overnight, depending on the thickness of the paper and the humidity of your environment. Make sure the paper is completely dry before removing the tape, as removing it too soon may result in the paper shrinking back and undoing your efforts.
Tips and Tricks
- This method is particularly useful for watercolour paper, which is prone to warping due to its absorbency.
- If you're using a heavy-duty paper, you may need to weigh down the corners or edges to keep the paper flat and taut as it dries.
- Some artists recommend stretching paper before painting to minimise warping, but this technique may be fiddly and time-consuming for beginners.
- You can also try coating the paper with an acrylic medium or gel before painting to reduce absorbency and warping, although this may not completely eliminate buckling.
- Remember that thinner papers are more prone to warping, so choosing a heavier weight paper (e.g., 300 gsm or higher) can help reduce the issue.
By soaking and stretching your paper before painting, you can minimise warping and create a more stable surface for your artwork. This technique requires some patience and experimentation, but it can be a useful tool to add to your artistic arsenal.
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Use watercolour paper
Watercolour paper is designed to prevent warping, so it is a good option if you're looking to paint on regular paper without this issue. This type of paper contains a special glue called 'sizing' that prevents too much water from getting into the paper fibres, giving you time to mix and blend.
Thin watercolour papers have fewer fibres, making them more prone to warping, so it's a good idea to go for a heavier weight paper. Most good watercolour paper is around 300 gsm (grams per square metre), so this is a good benchmark weight to look out for. Sketchbooks, for example, tend to be thinner at 150-200 gsm.
You can also buy watercolour paper blocks, where the paper comes in a pad and is glued down on two or four sides, meaning it can't warp as much. This is a more expensive option but can save a lot of frustration.
If you're using a lot of water, you might still experience some warping, but there are some tips you can follow to minimise this. Firstly, try to spot any puddles as you paint and pick them up with a dry brush or paper towel. Apply washes gradually, allowing each layer to dry before adding the next, and if your paper starts to buckle, take a short break and let it dry. You can also tape down the edges of your paper to stop it from lifting.
If your watercolour paper is still warping slightly, you could try the old-school method of soaking the paper in water for about 15 minutes, then blotting it dry, smoothing it down on a wooden board, and stapling it to the board to let it dry completely for a few days. This should mean you can paint as 'wet' as you like without the paper warping.
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Frequently asked questions
To prevent warping, you should use thicker, better-quality paper. You can also tape the paper down to a flat surface, such as a wooden board, to prevent it from curling.
If you are painting with watercolours, you should use paper that is specifically designed for watercolour painting. This paper contains a special glue called 'sizing' that prevents too much water from getting into the paper fibres. A watercolour paper block can also be used to prevent warping as the paper comes glued down on two or four sides.
To flatten a painting that has warped, you can mist the back of the paper with water using a fine mist or a damp sponge. Then, place the painting image-side down on a sheet of sketch paper or a towel, and go over it with a warm iron. Finally, place weights or books on top and leave for 24-72 hours until the paper is completely dry.
