How to Stretch Watercolor Paper in a Pad Without Damaging It

When working with watercolor paper in a pad, you may find the need to stretch the paper to prevent warping or lifting. However, not all watercolor pads require stretching, and there are various techniques you can use to protect your paper while still achieving optimal results.

Understanding When Stretching is Necessary

For many watercolor artists, stretching paper in a pad is not always necessary. If the pad is glued on four sides, you can work directly on the pad without needing to stretch. Similarly, if you are using a watercolor block with sealed edges, no preparation is required before beginning your painting.

However, if your pad is spiral or tape bound with only one sealed edge, you might consider removing the paper and taping it to a board for better control. If you want to maintain all your paintings within the pad, you can tape the edges, but you may still experience some leakage between pages, especially when working with wet washes.

Experimentation as a Learning Tool

Art is a field where experimentation is key, and only you can decide what works best for your artistic style. Some watercolor artists prefer to dampen the paper first, while others, like myself, find it easier to work with dry paper still bound in the block. Using pencil to draw your layout on dry paper ensures precise lines and easier editing.

Protecting Your Watercolor Paper in a Pad

To protect the paper within the pad, you can tape the edges and use bulldog clips to hold the pad together. This method will work for the first few pages, but you will need to add something to protect the back side of your pages. If you are using at least 140 pound watercolor paper, you can paint on both sides, which would be a waste if you do not use the back side.

An alternative solution is to use a cut-to-size substantial piece of plastic clipped onto the back of the pad, with potentially taped edges. This ensures that you can use both sides of the paper efficiently, making the most of your material.

If your objective is to create a book of your paintings, you can purchase watercolor journals. These journals often allow the pages to be held open with bulldog clips while you paint, ensuring that the pages lie flat. You have the option to paint horizontally across the spine or have different paintings on the left and right sides of each spread. However, make sure to use 140 pound paper unless you are willing to be careful with the amount of water you use.

For those who do pen and ink drawings and apply a light wash of watercolor, 90 pound multi-media paper might be suitable. While this is not the ideal choice, it can be used if you are careful with the amount of water you apply.

In conclusion, whether you choose to stretch your watercolor paper in a pad or maintain it within the pad depends on your artistic needs and preferences. Creative solutions like taping edges, using plastic clips, or investing in specialized journals can help you achieve your desired results without damaging your paper.