In this article I share how to prepare surfaces other than paper to receive watercolor paint using a Watercolor Ground medium. Surfaces discussed are canvas, wood, plastic, glass and metal. Then, I paint 2 onions (one white and one red) on 2 canvas surfaces; one of which has been tinted.
“Sprouting Onion 2” watercolor on wood panel sealed with wax by artist Tristina Dietz Elmes.
Some of the things you will learn from this workshop include:
what is watercolor ground medium;
what sealers to use if your surface is porous (wood) or non-porous (canvas, metal, glass) before applying watercolor ground medium;
how to apply watercolor ground medium;
how to tint watercolor ground medium;
building watercolors in layers on a prepared surface;
how easy it is to lift color and make adjustments on a surface prepared with watercolor ground medium;
how to seal a watercolor painting if you do not want to put it behind glass;
and more…
“Sprouting Red Onion” watercolor painting on tinted canvas panel by Tristina Dietz Elmes. At the time of writing this article, the original painting is available on my Etsy Shop HERE.
Watercolor Painting on Special Surfaces Workshop Video Replay
Below is the full video workshop of my Live painting session. The paints, surfaces and accessories used in the video are listed afterwards in this article. Enjoy! 🎨
Here are the video timeline sections if you want to jump to a particular part of the live session:
0:00:00 - Intro To Prepping & Painting Watercolor Onions on Various Surfaces
0:05:47 - Porous vs Non-Porous Surface Prep Supplies & Techniques
0:23:56 - Paints & Other Supplies
0:40:10 - Paint Colors & Pigments Discussion
0:52:47 - Paint Yellow Onion on White Canvas
1:36:09 - Paint Red Onion on Tinted Canvas
Here is the paints Pigment details database I mentioned during the live class:
https://www.artiscreation.com/Color_index_names.html
Here are my reference images of the Sprouting Onions:
Feel free to ask me any follow-up questions in the comments below. Thanks for watching! 😍
Supplies List for Watercolor Painting on Special Surfaces Workshop
The Schmincke Horadam Watercolors I used from the tube during the workshop were:
Quinacridone Gold Hue #217 (PY150, PR101)
Transparent Sienna #653 (PR101)
Yellow Orange #222 (PY110)
Gold Brown #654 (PY65, PBr41)
Mahogany Brown #672 (PBr33)
Bordeaux #362 (PR187)
Helio Cerulean Blue #479 (PB15:3)
Green Earth #516 (PBr7, PG7)
May Green #524 (PY151, PG7)
Perm. Green Olive #534 (PO62, PG7)
Perylene Green #784 (PBk31)
Here are links to the supplies list for the surfaces, mediums, paints and accessories shown during the video. As a Blick Affiliate and Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases for links below that lead to Blick Art Materials or Amazon.
Schmincke Watercolor Tubes and Pans on Blick - https://www.jdoqocy.com/click-101491996-12117697?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dickblick.com%2Fproducts%2Fschmincke-horadam-aquarell-artist-watercolor-paints%2F
Daniel Smith and Golden Watercolor Ground, Various Sizes and Colors - https://amzn.to/4aM9d9O
Golden GAC 100 Acrylic Sealer for Porous Surfaces (wood) 8oz Bottle - https://amzn.to/4cVkNAS
Golden GAC 200 Acrylic Prep for Non-Porous Surfaces (glass, plastic, metal) 8oz Bottle - https://amzn.to/4r571iI
Pebeo Gouache Opaque Watercolors 12ml Tubes Set of 12 - https://amzn.to/4aUnXSN
Turner Acryl (Acrylic) Gouache 20ml Tubes Set of 12 - https://amzn.to/4aWVGuT
Dr PH Martins Bleedproof White 1oz Jar - https://amzn.to/4s6PTtw
Jacquard Dorland's Wax Sealer 4oz Jar - https://amzn.to/3OICZDV
US Art Supply Spiral Bound Watercolor Paper Set of 3 - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08T21BSDQ?ref=t_ac_view_request_product_image&campaignId=amzn1.campaign.2KXA587IB1GL4&linkCode=tr1&tag=dietzart-20&linkId=amzn1.campaign.2KXA587IB1GL4_1772431089872
Canson XL Watercolor Paper Cold Press 140lb 9x12in 30 Sheets Spiral Bound - https://amzn.to/4rp0v6P
Shuttle Art 34-Pack Various Sizes Stretched 3/4" Canvas and Canvas Boards, GOOD DEAL - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08XYYRCMP?ref=t_ac_view_request_product_image&campaignId=amzn1.campaign.1KIILYXYJ2XBZ&linkCode=tr1&tag=dietzart-20&linkId=amzn1.campaign.1KIILYXYJ2XBZ_1772431765381
Falling in Art Birch Wood Panels 3/4" Cradle Various Sizes Available - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08M98KH6C?ref=t_ac_view_request_product_image&campaignId=amzn1.campaign.21H8S0VXWUS5N&linkCode=tr1&tag=dietzart-20&linkId=amzn1.campaign.21H8S0VXWUS5N_1772432101876
Fuumuui Professional Series 10 Brush Set - https://amzn.to/3ZcuzXj
Princeton Brush Willow's Blender 3/8" - https://amzn.to/40oLQxf
White Ceramic Palette Tray 8x4in - https://amzn.to/4rIoONv
White Ceramic Palette Tray 10x5in - https://amzn.to/4ayFCAA
Faber Castell Collapsible Tulip Edge Brush Holder Water Cup - https://amzn.to/3Pxxyon
General's The Master's Brush Soap 2.5oz Jar - https://amzn.to/49k2Jgq
General's The Master's Brush Soap 24oz Tub - https://amzn.to/49k2Qsm
Wood Brush Rest Stand Set of 2 Holds 4 Brushes Each - https://amzn.to/3OrurOi
My Recommended Cloth-Like Viva Paper Towels 3 Double Rolls - https://amzn.to/3EPZhOW
🎨🎨🎨
Note that most of the list of supplies above can be found on the Blick Art Materials website and shipping is generally free for orders of $79 or more. Check them out here:
https://www.jdoqocy.com/click-101492004-12117697?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dickblick.com%2F
************************************If you would like to see other paints, mediums and art supplies that I recommend, click below to go to the Supply Links page on my website:
https://www.dietzart.gallery/supply-links
Or, check out art supply recommendations on my Amazon Storefront. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
https://www.amazon.com/shop/tristinadietzelmes
Sprouting white onion watercolor painting on stretched canvas by Tristina Dietz Elmes.
FREE Live Art Lessons Sunday Afternoons
SUNDAY afternoons I teach a FREE ART LESSON simulcast on YouTube Live and on the WhatNot auction platform followed by a giveaway and sale of my handmade artworks, gift items and some art supplies on WhatNot. You can follow the QR code appearing in the YouTube video or follow the Invite link in the video description to join me on WhatNot for some great Live Auction Art & Gifts deals.
If you're new to Whatnot, sign up with the following link and get $15 in Whatnot credit to use to shop on the platform:
https://www.whatnot.com/invite/tristi...
I hope you'll join me and the thriving Artisan community over on WhatNot soon!
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Happy Arting! 🎉