Watercolor Paper
Ask Susie - Watercolor Q & A
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2y ago
Hi Susie, In the last few weeks I ordered your DVD's Beyond the Sunset and Texas Bluebonnets and Live Oaks.  They are great videos.  Would you let me know what kind of paper you are using?  My paper will not get as pliable as yours does when it is wet.  I am using 140 pound, Strathmore cold press paper. Thanks, Marie SUSIE'S REPLY:  Hi Marie, Thanks, I'm pleased your are enjoying the DVD's. I use and recommend Arches 140# CP paper. It is strong and durable and it works best for my style of painting. And it is a good choice for beginners who are just learning the wat ..read more
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Drawing with Watercolor Pencils
Ask Susie - Watercolor Q & A
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2y ago
Hi Susie, I’m curious about something. Is it considered cheating to start off watercolor with watercolor pencils? I’ve been considering doing it that way first to teach myself the brush strokes I’d be most comfortable with by following the pencil lines. Although I’m not sure if that would hinder using actual watercolors.  Can you help me with this? Thank you for your time, Courtney Susie's Reply: Personally, I don’t like pencil lines in my work so using a watercolor pencil to “save” an area as I paint in my shapes is a good choice for me. Drawing with watercolor pencils is one of my fav ..read more
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More questions about gum arabic used for watercolors
Ask Susie - Watercolor Q & A
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2y ago
QUESTION: Why is photo-grade gum arabic less expensive than gum arabic sold for watercolors? Can photo-grade gum arabic be used with watercolor? Thank you :-) SUSIE"S REPLY: I did some investigating and I've learned that gum arabic is used in several forms for several purposes from food stabilizers to inks and textiles. It can be obtained in a powder, syrup, chunk solids, or pellets. Some of its non food uses include traditional lithography, when used in paints, inks, glues, and printing. As you mentioned it is also used in photography as well as cosmetics. Another interesting thing I le ..read more
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Metal vs Plastic watercolor palettes
Ask Susie - Watercolor Q & A
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2y ago
QUESTION: Hi, Susie. I use tube paints and I'm wondering the differences between a metal palette and a plastic palette?  Which one is best?  I would like to keep my paints in the palette and mist them to re-use the colors.  Any suggestions?   Debby SUSIE'S REPLY: Debby-- Using the metal enameled butcher type trays for a watercolor palette is a very popular choice. When I began painting in the 60's I had several I used and I loved the extra large mixing areas. I can see how they would be ideal for mixing and pouring paint if you are into that technique. The metal ..read more
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Copyright issues when painting from a demo
Ask Susie - Watercolor Q & A
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2y ago
QUESTION: :-) Hi Susie Happened upon your site as I was looking for sea scapes/waves breaking, I,m a beginner In art, I was enthralled by your easy demo of waves, may I ask you the gram weight of the water colour paper you use, as well as to ask if I follow your patterns and instructions and do a painting, I see it is copy right, does that mean I am not allowed to show the finished article at a art gallery, and put my name on the finished painting? obviously I will change as much as I can to make it look different, I would not like to do anything illegal, waiting in anticipation for your answe ..read more
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Moldy Watercolor Palettes
Ask Susie - Watercolor Q & A
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2y ago
QUESTION: I left my watercolors in the palette over the summer to garden. From time to time I put a damp cloth over them & sprayed them with water. Several have grown mold. I'm able to scrape off the mold. may I use them w/out trouble. How do you store watercolors in a palette for up to 2-3 months?   Judy, Olympia, WA Susie's Reply: Hi Judy,  I have several suggestions for you. Let's start with the mold issue. Scraping the mold off is a good start. A solution of vinegar and water will also neutralize any mold spores that remain. If the paint is a professional grad ..read more
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Using Acrylics and Watercolor Together
Ask Susie - Watercolor Q & A
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2y ago
QUESTION: Could I spray my watercolor background with an acrylic then paint on top with acrylic paints? Alicia SUSIE'S REPLY: Thanks for writing! Acrylics and watercolor are both water soluble and considered water based mediums.  Once an acrylic dries it becomes a type of plastic and is no longer water soluble. You can paint acrylics over a watercolor base or background without any problems. There is no need to spray the background first. However, you can not paint watercolor over an acrylic background without creating some issues. These issues may or may not be a problem. Usually waterco ..read more
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Gum Arabic and Acrylics
Ask Susie - Watercolor Q & A
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2y ago
QUESTION:  Hi Susie, could I use Gum Arabic as a retarder for Acrylic Painting. I do like to work wet with my acrylics so that I can get better blending in my painting. I do have a retarder but i would like to try another form of keeping my paints wet. I am not into watercolours yet as I am still in the learning stages. Thank you for your advice Vera S SUSIE'S REPLY: Hi Vera, I'm not a chemist but I don't think gum arabic would make a suitable retardant for acrylics. It's used as a binder in watercolors because it dissolves with water. I'm sure if it worked well with acrylics it would be ..read more
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Buckling paper on Watercolor blocks
Ask Susie - Watercolor Q & A
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2y ago
QUESTION:  Susie, I have a problem. Almost a year ago I bought 140 lb, cold pressed, 16"X10" 'The Langton' block by Daler & Rowney. I stored it well for 11 months. yesterday when I tried to paint on it the paper buckled up also it dries very fast and is almost like bloating paper. I never had this problem before. I sent a mail to D&R about the problem but no reply yet. It's been 11 months since I bought it so the dealer refused to replace it. . Tried to stretch it. I didn't sock it for 10 minutes but sprayed some water until it's fully wait then wiped it and taped it to the board ..read more
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Different paper for better results
Ask Susie - Watercolor Q & A
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2y ago
QUESTION: Hello, I am trying to do a somewhat abstract painting with watercolors. I am using 140 lb. canson watercolor paper. I am pre wetting areas and then applying the color so it will spread randomly. However, I don't even have that much water on the paper but It fuzzes up and starts falling apart. Would bumping up to 300 lb. watercolor paper help?  Colin SUSIE'S REPLY:  Hi Colin, You might want to try another brand of paper.  Just because the weight of the paper is 140# does not mean they share the same equality.  Bumping up to 300# Canson will not guarantee a be ..read more
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