Very helpful - I have just been experimenting with the DS ground so it was interesting to know how it compared with the others. But the main thing I wanted to say was, please consider leaving the music off - at least while you are talking; at times it was much louder than you and I really wanted to hear you!
Hi Jane, yes I’m sorry about that! I now don’t put music on while I’m taking! I do take on board thing you all say but I can only fix future videos! Glad you found it helpful! 👍🙏
I have only tried the Daniel Smith WC-ground on canvas. I found that it absorbs water slower than paper and that I had to re-wet it a second time letting it fully absorb again. Doing this, it behaved better. You have convinced me to try the QOR cold press ground.
Fun fact (well maybe not so fun for the creator of this video), Qor’s parent company is Golden. The absorbent ground by Golden and Qor’s watercolor ground is the exact same stuff. Golden’s fiber paste and Qor’s cold press ground, same stuff. Golden’s light molding paste and Qor’s light dimensional ground... same stuff. They don’t (and stores shouldn’t) mark up one product over the other. The reason why Golden does this is because water color artists won’t typically look at acrylic mediums as something they can use in their work, so they rebranded some of their products to appeal to them. So if you use these products and if the store is out of one brand, you can use the other and see zero difference.
Hi Sara, interesting! Will have to look into that. For me I don't really mind who makes what or whether they are the same. I just want a ground that behaves as close to paper as possible and I still have not found that. If you have any suggestions I would love to know. Thanks for watching. Cheers Scott
Scott Swinson I worked at an art supply store when Qor was coming out, and we had regular visits from a rep from Golden. They occasionally do demonstrations of their products, they’re free and worth checking out if you hear about them. Also, I’m a big fan of golden acrylics. I’m.not a watercolor artist (acrylic and oils is my jam) but I think I may have several options for you. A while back I met an artist who stretched watercolor paper over stretcher bars like canvas. You probably already know this but you can buy cold press arches watercolor paper in a roll, www.amazon.com/dp/B00584FJZY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_T3-CFbN7946GW it should be more than big enough to do what you’re looking for. I asked her how she stretched the paper onto bars. She soaked it and then stapled it to the bars just like you would canvas. When it dries it’ll tighten and be good to go. It doesn’t look like you’ve tried light molding paste/light dimensional ground yet. It’s spongy when it’s dry, and you will need a palate knife to apply. It works like frosting. However when it dries it is much more absorbent than the other grounds. It doesn’t behave like paper but it will definitely saturate with water more than the other mediums you’ve tried. Also it will show the direction you sand it, so only go in one direction if you try that. My only complaint is getting a smooth surface is not easy. Fun to work with though. If you want to try acrylics again, I know something that’ll help. Golden makes this stuff called Flow release, in Liquitex they call it Flow Aid. Acrylic has surfactant in it (soap), without it the paint would be grainy. The problem many people have with acrylics is they add too much water and it breaks the paint, makes it sad. Flow release helps you work with the paint ‘wet’. You mix 1 part to 10 parts water (you really don’t need much). This helps keep the surface tension and won’t break the paint when you add the treated water to it. If you try this have two waters, one for cleaning your brushes and the treated water for painting with. I’m gonna wager there are some UA-cam videos about that somewhere. It won’t behave like watercolor but it will let you do wetter techniques that you’re used to. Since you already have those other grounds, may be worth experimenting with I hope that helps. Good luck!
Hi Sara, thanks for all that information. I would really like to ask a few more questions at some stage as I am going to be painting a 2.5m x 1m watercolour over the next few weeks on a roll of Rives BFK etch paper which has less sizing than normal arches watercolour paper and I think a bit less robust. I was going to pre-stretch it. Paint it on a huge board then varnish it, then attach it to canvas then stretch both the canvas and paper over stretcher bars? I want to attach it to canvas because it needs to be transported and it will be stronger that way? Do you have any feedback about this plan? I have tried it on a very small scale and it seems to work. I have watched quite a few youtube videos about it. Cheers Scott
This is awesome information, especially since I see QOR only has small sizes, whereas golden has big ones as well, thanks for sharing! When I was looking form acrylic painting perspective and tried to figure out various mediums, I distinctively remember that I didn't get what's the purpose of fiber paste, but this explains it completely :D
I'm experimenting in the same direction as you but I'm new to painting. I started off using acrylics to colour black line drawings on paper but like you wanted to paint bigger. If I get anywhere interesting I'll get in touch but at the moment I'm still at the early experimental phase...
You should add a bit of acrylic color to your initial gesso layer so you can see what you have covered up afterwards better. Also note the QOR cold pressed ground is the same as Golden fiber paste, and the watercolor ground is the same as Golden absorbent ground, just rebranded. All of the Golden products can be mixed freely together as well, so you can add gesso or golden mediums or paints to the fiber paste to smooth it out a bit. Also worth checking out are the Golden pumice and molding pastes, which can also be mixed with any of the above. If you want to make acrylics act more like watercolors, check out Golden's flow release, various mediums, including airbrush medium (i read someplace could help), and even rubbing alcohol. I am currently (just started) experimenting with those as well to try to get a mix down. Good luck.
Hi Polypys, thanks for the info. Someone a few days so let me know those two brands were the same. I have tried a few different mediums with acrylics but I think acrylics will always be acrylics. I just need to get used to them and use in a slightly different way. Thanks for watching! 👍🙏
Thank you for your diligence. I was going to buy QOR Watercolor Ground but after your demonstration realized that I like the way that Daniel Smoth's Watercolor ground behaved better. And from another video I saw that Golden's Absorbent Ground does not keep the watercolors vibrant . . . and your demo proved that point too. Much appreciated! Rose Ann Vita
Thank you Scott. Great watch! Question. I have just ordered Daniel Smith ground however not planning to use gesso prior as want to have softness of the material I paint on. Lets see how that behaves. PS. Please have music a little quieter next time as it was overtaking your voice
Hi Wojtek! Thanks! Good luck with the Daniel smith ground. I don’t think you had a question.....and thanks for the feedback. I will endeavour to have the music down lower in future videos! 👍
@@ScottSwinson haha that's my clumsy way of not asking the questions. Do you think the watercolour ground can be directly applied to material without the gesso?
Hi again Wojtek, I’m not sure about the absorbent ground straight into material? I only have a small amount of experience with those grounds and have not tried that. Let me know because I have some unprimed canvas I could try that with if it works for you! 👍
@@ScottSwinson I got Daniel Smith one (was on order when I saw your video) and primed last night so will explore how it acts tomorrow. I really like the sound of the Schmincke version as well so will test on one point. Will let you know how they behave too.
Hi Patsy! I ended up deciding to paint watercolours on watercolour paper then varnish it as i could not find a ground that worked to my liking when comparing the process of painting onto paper. But you never know! I am more likely to paint acrylics onto canvas in a watercolour style! Cheers Scott
Thank you for testing these products it was very informative.....I never know which one works the best when looking at new supplies. I'm not sure if anyone has told you but, you can buy a 10-yard roll of watercolor paper which lets you make any size painting you want.
Hi Charlene! Glad you found it helpful! Yes I’ve found rolls of paper and that is how I paint large watercolours now. I use watercolour on paper, then varnish it, then wrap it around a nice heavy weight canvas. It looks really modern and means I don’t need to be disappointed painting on a ground on a canvas! 👍👍
Thankyou Scott, I like the way you openly explained your insuccesses and the way you explained and demonstrated everything, and I liked the music too. Very helpful! Many blessings to you. Big hug!
Hi thanks a lot, I just discovered this medium in some article and was going to order golden, so happy I checked you video first)) maybe will try DS instead) May I ask what brand number teal and cobalt colours are you using in the video, they are beautiful. Also if you have a video on how to fix the watercolours on canvas please let me know, as due to easy lifting I am struggling to think how to fixate and protect it))
Hi Mag, sorry for the delay in replying! Yes I found Daniel smith the best in terms of ground but I also have a video on painting onto fredrix watercolour canvas and that was the best of all. The brand was winsor and newton artist quality. I use them almost exclusively as I know them and so keep using them! I have not done a video fixing watercolour on canvas or paper but can do one soon! I did do that the other day using a satin spray varnish and it worked well! Good luck! Thanks for watching! Hope that answers your questions! 👍🙏
I do watercolor on wooden ornaments and I make my own watercolor ground. (Liz chaderton does a video on it). I’ve wondered if the daniel smith wg works better or not. Looks like none of these are as good as paper. Also I’ve looked into water soluble oil paints because I hear it’s like watercolor. (I haven’t tried it yet). Thanks so much for this video. I’m going to be painting a large watercolor painting and would like to try canvas.
I have the DS ground and will try it out today on a small canvas but I'm very interested in the QoR cold pressed ground. (The company website says to apply it with a palette knife and wet the knife to smooth it out once it's on the canvas or surface.)
The grounds are very interesting and do work fairly well but I have reverted back to huge pieces of paper wrapped around a canvas as I have not found any ground to really emulate paper in a way that makes me feel comfortable just expressing myself on a large scale. Good luck!
Hi! Did you try the watercolor ground with multiple layers of paint? I work with many layers in my paintings and I need to know which one would work best or does it only work for wet in wet techniques? Thank you! 😊
Random passerby, but, I find layering it works okay. But I need to be patient. If it’s not fully dried I get a messy bloom. This is on QOR light dim & watercolour ground AND DS transparent AND shmicke transparent, the last one being the worst for it.
Hi Scott I just started watching your video and I'm enjoying it. Have you tried aquaboard? I absolutely love it. I use acrylic inks on it. They make bigger panels and also panels with cradle board I'm not sure what the largest size is. I hope this is helpful:)
I was wondering wich ground I should use to coat a masonite plate that's 12×12in. To paint it with so could do a wet in wet and other watercolor techniques
Hi Mae, the ground would totally cover watercolour if it was underneath. It depends on the ground. Some might need a couple of layers but it would cover it again if you didn't like the painting and wanted to try again....thanks for watching! Cheers Scott
I’m so glad Mae asked this question. I used Golden Absorbent Ground in an attempt to COVER a big green splotch mistake on Arches 140# watercolor paper. Using a 1” flat brush, I only needed to cover a 1” x 2” area. I applied one coat, let it dry for about 1/2 hour then applied mother coat. Let it dry. I painted a pink color over it and while it covered my big green splotch, the pink was quite chalky-opaque. This makes me think maybe the Daniel Smith product is worth a try.
Hi Scott! Thank you for these comparisons. Love the top right effect of the watercolor on the QOR Watercolor Ground! Just beautiful!!! I hope you kept these, and even completed the paintings! Thanks again!
Thanks for doing this video, it was very helpful. I am about to do a project - large watercolor on photography backdrop paper for a banner. I was thinking that I would rather use watercolor because I am not that familiar with acrylics. I am thinking of using watercolor ground. Now I know which one I will buy. At times during the video the music was louder than your voice and I wished that the music was more subdued.
Hi Kathy! Yes I’m sorry about the music! I’ve changed my ways! To be honest I’ve ended up painting on watercolour paper snd then varnishing it then stretching it around a canvas! Good luck with the project! 👍👍
What if you applied the ground with a sponge roller instead of a brush??? Would that make a smoother surface so the watercolor isn't affected? I may try this out and come back with results.
Scott! Love you dearly. Watch every video, and just purchased DS pearlescent ground, and ordered the gold as well. Please forgive me.. I couldn't hear you with the music on. I didn't know you had to wait 24 hours. I'd like to try this on canvas for watercolors. 😘👍💖
Hi, I like your style so much, thank you for sharing your work on this channel. I know that Schminke has a very nice ground for watercolo white or transparent, and it behaves well. Also their watercolor are great and lightfast. Hope this may help you in any way. Thank you again and keep up you work.
Hi Anica, thanks for the message. I really need to do more experiments with watercolour on canvas. Still have a lot to learn in that area so I can paint in the style I like to paint on a large scale. Thanks for watching! 👍😄
I just saw this just now. Thanks for testing these different types of grounds. BTW, next time less volume on the backgound music, hard to hear your voice. Otherwise rather informative.
Thank you Scott, This was most informative. Framing under glass has become so expensive, I have been considering experimenting with watercolour on other surfaces….believe you may have saved me $$
Thanks for this it certainly answered lots of questions! One disappointment your music was too loud! At times could hardly hear you talking but enjoyed your test results. Many thanks 👍😷
Hi Wendy, glad you liked the video. I'm sorry about the music being too loud. It has taken me a while to learn how to tone down the music. I find it hard to have a painting process without music as for me they are an inseparable pair. Any further questions I can answer let me know. Thanks. Scott
Have you ever used the sand and atomizer effect? Steve Rieman, an awesome sculptor (teacher) of mine showed me how to do abstract paintings with it. Love the subtleties of it. He has his stuff for sale on his site.
Hi Nina! No worries. I have some videos done since then and I now just paint onto large pieces of watercolour paper then varnish, then wrap around a canvas. It seems to work really well! 👍🙏
love this comparison, super helpful! Did you end up working more regularly with surfaces prepped in watercolour ground so you could watercolour paint on other surfaces?
Hi Anaya, I ended up painting on watercolour paper (huge rolls) then varnishing and wrapping around a canvas. I think if I went any bigger I would just use acrylics like watercolour instead as watercolour is so expensive! 👍
Try Qor watercolor paint on the qor cold press covered canvas. Than you get the paint help with the blending. Other watercolor paints are have different binders that will not work well on grounded canvas.
Hi Light Shamana, thanks for the suggestion. I will give that a go at some stage in the future but at the moment I have found that I can paint onto large sheets of watercolour paper, varnish it, then wrap it around a canvas. It's working well for me! Cheers Scott
@@ScottSwinson it is definitely working solution. Although I found that the edges get loose after a few years. Probably because of the moisture in the air. Certainly more economical than prep the canvas. I love your work.
Muchas gracias por el vídeo, me interesaba pintar con acuarela o acrílico aguado, en un lienzo de oleo y acrílico, con una base especial y ahora se que si no son lienzos (Canvas) especial para acuarela , es muy díficil , lograr los mismos resultados que en papel para acuarela
Hi Dolores, I am still really interested if anyone can find a way of priming a canvas so it is really close to painting on paper but so far I have not found the answer that I am happy with. Good luck with your painting and thanks for watching! adios.
Hi Mr S. Yes granulation happens more on rough paper because of the peaks and troughs on the paper. And like you said sizing would make a difference too. I am not sure what would create more granulation more or less sizing. Maybe more sizing would create more granulation? Do you know?
Scott Swinson I know Winsor and Newton makes a granulating medium... as far as sizing goes, I know that it makes a tremendous difference in terms of paint behavior and it must be within the paper and on top of the paper. My assumption is that if the paper has the right amount of sizing for optimum performance, then probably granulating paints will show better on paper with such qualities but only with granulating colors. However, if a granulating medium does what it promises to do, I guess sizing doesn’t matter
Hi finessence, no I haven’t tried gelatin. It would be interesting to see if that helped the canvas behave like paper. Thanks Lp see if I can get melt hands on some. 👍
Hi Charli! Yes sorry about that! I have learnt from that! I now don't put music on when I am talking...pretty much all the time and if I do on rare occasions then I make it really low! Hope it was still a bit useful! Cheers Scott
Thanks my fellow Aussie 👍😎 just one tip... No music would be better... Couldn't hear your helpful commentary 😉 Also, heads up - QOR is pronounced KOR/core 👍 very helpful nonetheless!🙏🤗
Hi Mary, thanks for the feedback. I have gradually evolved the videos so there is generally no music with talking. Glad you enjoyed the video. Which part of Australia do you live in? I’m in engadine, Sydney.
@@ScottSwinson Hey Scott, cool, I haven't had time to watch any more of your videos yet 😁😉 I'm in sunny Brisbane 😎 my sister lives in Byron 👍 but can't get to see them since the boarders have been closed 😒
@@TheLord_MyShepherd Brisvagas! Nice! I was born in Townsville but then moved to Tasmania before I was 1 so not really a banana bender! Yes the border thing must be hard when they are quite close! Hopefully soon things will change! I love Queensland! really amazing! Thanks for watching some of the other videos! Hope you find them useful. Cheers Scott
Hi Dominique, I know I’m sorry. It took me a while to work out how to make videos. I now never put music on when I’m talking and time lapse bits with no speech. Cheers Scott
@@ScottSwinson I really liked the full length format, even though it is not for everyone. But yes, the music was really not working mainly because I really wanted to hear what you were saying but then my ears start hurting. I would still think a very faint music (like just 10% of what we have here) in the background is a nice way to fill the vacuum, if you know what I mean.
@@rupamg hi rupam! Yes I know! I have reduced music in the videos so there is less but will see how I go bringing it in slowly and very quietly! Glad you like the video! 👍🙏
We both came to the exact same conclusion, it's not the same in any way shape or form. I have the golden ground, I was curious to ask you if you tried this with only one layer of each watercolor ground? It would have been amazing if it actually behaved like watercolor paper, that would have been revolutionary!
Hi Michael, yes! I would love to know if there is anything out there that can be like paper. I am about to embark on a huge watercolour over 200cm wide and about 100cm high. then I will mount it onto a canvas. If there was a ground or canvas that worked like paper I would be doing that not doing this process. If you ever find anything let me know. Some people have made some suggestions on here which I will look into. thanks for watching. Cheers Scott 👍🙏
Hi Diane! i know! I'm sorry about that it took me a while to learn that and have now changed my ways! Although my latest video does have a very small amount of music in the background but most of my videos don't any more. Try using headphones it can help a bit. Sorry about that! Scott
@@ScottSwinson I realize that now. I should have read the other comments first. I think I was able to get information from it just by watching. It is my understanding that you liked the DS watercolor ground, and the QOR cold press ground....but all do work but some have a longer learning curve.
I know! A terrible video! Crappy audio, music playing over the top of my talking! sorry! I have learnt over the months and years I hope! Sorry! There are crickets and rain and music and talking! OMG! Crazy!
@@ScottSwinson Yes, I've enjoyed your later videos, although the scratching of the whites with a knife blade is like chalk on a blackboard to me so I have to skip ahead at those points :)
@@ScottSwinson Might be an idea. It might just be more annoying for me since I listen to vid's via Bluetooth through my hearing aids. If something comes on that is too loud, etc. my only option is to fast forward since I cannot quickly mute the sound.
I find that the music in the Background is too loud. I love your artstyle but the music is just hurting my ears. (Just in some parts of the Video, I noticed that the music Covers your Voice.)
Hi Maria, sorry about that. I should probably get rid of the music but it is strange for me because painting and music have always gone together! I’ll make sure it’s very low in the background when I’m talking! Thanks for watching! Let me know in the next video if it’s better! I edit them with headphones in so maybe the voice is clearer in those headphones compared to coming out of a speaker? 😃👍🙏
The music in the background is maddening!! It’s so loud I can barely hear the voice. The worst part is, there is no other video comparing these 4 grounds, so, no other option but to be stuck with the annoying music. Other than that, it’s great painting, and thorough comparison. But, please, no more music over voice, it makes the voice uncomprehensible and the instrument impossible to enjoy.
I love the crickets reminders me of the home I lost ,there was also had like a million frogs going at it mixed in. Better then the piano. I think I like the crickets better then the piano and his lovely voice. I’m watching and listening till the end, 🤩 with my morning tea and ginger and colouring 🤪👩🎨
This was a dissapointing video. I could not hear what you were saying because the music was drowning you out! And I could barely make out the names written on the canvas, so not sure what was what. I'm trying to find a watercolour ground that acts the closest to watercolour paper! I have been playing around trying different things when I came across Golden Molding Paste. It actually reacts well to watercolour paints. The course one works best but I'm going to try different mixtures of Molding paste with the absorbent ground and it also says you can add gesso to it to smooth it out more. Sorry you still have this video on UA-cam wasting peoples time. : (
Hi JL, sorry you feel that way! Obviously not everyone feels that way as it has been viewed 1600 odd times and has 55 likes vs 2 dislikes. That 97% of people happy. Feel free to not watch. I am sorry about the music. I am improving that by not having music when I talk. I think your feedback is a bit strong. Happy painting. 👍🇦🇺
Very helpful - I have just been experimenting with the DS ground so it was interesting to know how it compared with the others. But the main thing I wanted to say was, please consider leaving the music off - at least while you are talking; at times it was much louder than you and I really wanted to hear you!
Hi Jane, yes I’m sorry about that! I now don’t put music on while I’m taking! I do take on board thing you all say but I can only fix future videos! Glad you found it helpful! 👍🙏
I agree, Jane, and it doesn't matter how beautiful the music, it still makes it hard to hear and understand, Great video, though.
Whole heartedly agree about the sound/music being off while you talk - excellent review!!
Hear hear! Music drowned you out😢
I have only tried the Daniel Smith WC-ground on canvas. I found that it absorbs water slower than paper and that I had to re-wet it a second time letting it fully absorb again. Doing this, it behaved better. You have convinced me to try the QOR cold press ground.
Fun fact (well maybe not so fun for the creator of this video), Qor’s parent company is Golden. The absorbent ground by Golden and Qor’s watercolor ground is the exact same stuff. Golden’s fiber paste and Qor’s cold press ground, same stuff. Golden’s light molding paste and Qor’s light dimensional ground... same stuff.
They don’t (and stores shouldn’t) mark up one product over the other. The reason why Golden does this is because water color artists won’t typically look at acrylic mediums as something they can use in their work, so they rebranded some of their products to appeal to them. So if you use these products and if the store is out of one brand, you can use the other and see zero difference.
Hi Sara, interesting! Will have to look into that. For me I don't really mind who makes what or whether they are the same. I just want a ground that behaves as close to paper as possible and I still have not found that. If you have any suggestions I would love to know. Thanks for watching. Cheers Scott
Scott Swinson I worked at an art supply store when Qor was coming out, and we had regular visits from a rep from Golden. They occasionally do demonstrations of their products, they’re free and worth checking out if you hear about them. Also, I’m a big fan of golden acrylics.
I’m.not a watercolor artist (acrylic and oils is my jam) but I think I may have several options for you. A while back I met an artist who stretched watercolor paper over stretcher bars like canvas. You probably already know this but you can buy cold press arches watercolor paper in a roll, www.amazon.com/dp/B00584FJZY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_T3-CFbN7946GW it should be more than big enough to do what you’re looking for. I asked her how she stretched the paper onto bars. She soaked it and then stapled it to the bars just like you would canvas. When it dries it’ll tighten and be good to go.
It doesn’t look like you’ve tried light molding paste/light dimensional ground yet. It’s spongy when it’s dry, and you will need a palate knife to apply. It works like frosting. However when it dries it is much more absorbent than the other grounds. It doesn’t behave like paper but it will definitely saturate with water more than the other mediums you’ve tried. Also it will show the direction you sand it, so only go in one direction if you try that. My only complaint is getting a smooth surface is not easy. Fun to work with though.
If you want to try acrylics again, I know something that’ll help. Golden makes this stuff called Flow release, in Liquitex they call it Flow Aid. Acrylic has surfactant in it (soap), without it the paint would be grainy. The problem many people have with acrylics is they add too much water and it breaks the paint, makes it sad. Flow release helps you work with the paint ‘wet’. You mix 1 part to 10 parts water (you really don’t need much). This helps keep the surface tension and won’t break the paint when you add the treated water to it. If you try this have two waters, one for cleaning your brushes and the treated water for painting with. I’m gonna wager there are some UA-cam videos about that somewhere. It won’t behave like watercolor but it will let you do wetter techniques that you’re used to. Since you already have those other grounds, may be worth experimenting with
I hope that helps. Good luck!
Oh btw, I don’t work for Golden. I’m just a big ol nerd about this stuff. You should hear me go on about pigments 🤣
Hi Sara, thanks for all that information. I would really like to ask a few more questions at some stage as I am going to be painting a 2.5m x 1m watercolour over the next few weeks on a roll of Rives BFK etch paper which has less sizing than normal arches watercolour paper and I think a bit less robust. I was going to pre-stretch it. Paint it on a huge board then varnish it, then attach it to canvas then stretch both the canvas and paper over stretcher bars? I want to attach it to canvas because it needs to be transported and it will be stronger that way? Do you have any feedback about this plan? I have tried it on a very small scale and it seems to work. I have watched quite a few youtube videos about it. Cheers Scott
This is awesome information, especially since I see QOR only has small sizes, whereas golden has big ones as well, thanks for sharing! When I was looking form acrylic painting perspective and tried to figure out various mediums, I distinctively remember that I didn't get what's the purpose of fiber paste, but this explains it completely :D
I'm experimenting in the same direction as you but I'm new to painting. I started off using acrylics to colour black line drawings on paper but like you wanted to paint bigger. If I get anywhere interesting I'll get in touch but at the moment I'm still at the early experimental phase...
You should add a bit of acrylic color to your initial gesso layer so you can see what you have covered up afterwards better. Also note the QOR cold pressed ground is the same as Golden fiber paste, and the watercolor ground is the same as Golden absorbent ground, just rebranded. All of the Golden products can be mixed freely together as well, so you can add gesso or golden mediums or paints to the fiber paste to smooth it out a bit. Also worth checking out are the Golden pumice and molding pastes, which can also be mixed with any of the above. If you want to make acrylics act more like watercolors, check out Golden's flow release, various mediums, including airbrush medium (i read someplace could help), and even rubbing alcohol. I am currently (just started) experimenting with those as well to try to get a mix down. Good luck.
Hi Polypys, thanks for the info. Someone a few days so let me know those two brands were the same. I have tried a few different mediums with acrylics but I think acrylics will always be acrylics. I just need to get used to them and use in a slightly different way. Thanks for watching! 👍🙏
I love your work and enjoy your videos but don't need to watch you coat each sheet with the different grounds show us the end result
I read somewhere you can actually go over the dried ground gently with a very fine sand paper to remove brush lines also ... Maybe a thought to try
its true :)
@0:26 u know u can buy a roll of watercolor paper that’s like 10 yards a roll right?
Hi Seasonal frostbite! Yes that’s what I’m doing now. Painting into large pieces of watercolour from a roll. 👍🙏 thanks!
Where can I find the rolls?
Thank you for your diligence. I was going to buy QOR Watercolor Ground but after your demonstration realized that I like the way that Daniel Smoth's Watercolor ground behaved better. And from another video I saw that Golden's Absorbent Ground does not keep the watercolors vibrant . . . and your demo proved that point too. Much appreciated! Rose Ann Vita
Hi Rose, no worries. Glad you found it helpful. It's not easy to find a ground that feels just like paper. Good luck!
Thank you Scott. Great watch! Question. I have just ordered Daniel Smith ground however not planning to use gesso prior as want to have softness of the material I paint on. Lets see how that behaves. PS. Please have music a little quieter next time as it was overtaking your voice
Hi Wojtek! Thanks! Good luck with the Daniel smith ground. I don’t think you had a question.....and thanks for the feedback. I will endeavour to have the music down lower in future videos! 👍
@@ScottSwinson haha that's my clumsy way of not asking the questions. Do you think the watercolour ground can be directly applied to material without the gesso?
Hi again Wojtek, I’m not sure about the absorbent ground straight into material? I only have a small amount of experience with those grounds and have not tried that. Let me know because I have some unprimed canvas I could try that with if it works for you! 👍
@@ScottSwinson I got Daniel Smith one (was on order when I saw your video) and primed last night so will explore how it acts tomorrow. I really like the sound of the Schmincke version as well so will test on one point. Will let you know how they behave too.
Wojtek London Art sounds good! Hope it goes well!! 👍
This was so interesting! I’ve been wondering about how to paint watercolour on canvas, so it’s really helpful. Thank you.
Always wondered about different grounds and painting on canvas. Very interesting and informative. Excited to see you paint on your canvas too. Thanks!
Hi Patsy! I ended up deciding to paint watercolours on watercolour paper then varnish it as i could not find a ground that worked to my liking when comparing the process of painting onto paper. But you never know! I am more likely to paint acrylics onto canvas in a watercolour style! Cheers Scott
Thank you for testing these products it was very informative.....I never know which one works the best when looking at new supplies. I'm not sure if anyone has told you but, you can buy a 10-yard roll of watercolor paper which lets you make any size painting you want.
Hi Charlene! Glad you found it helpful! Yes I’ve found rolls of paper and that is how I paint large watercolours now. I use watercolour on paper, then varnish it, then wrap it around a nice heavy weight canvas. It looks really modern and means I don’t need to be disappointed painting on a ground on a canvas! 👍👍
Where!? Never heard of this!?
Thankyou Scott, I like the way you openly explained your insuccesses and the way you explained and demonstrated everything, and I liked the music too. Very helpful! Many blessings to you. Big hug!
Hi Alexandra! Glad you liked the video! Good luck exploring this process and medium! Cheers Scott
Does the ground lift off when you apply the water?
Hi Patricia! No it stays attached. 👍👍
Hi thanks a lot, I just discovered this medium in some article and was going to order golden, so happy I checked you video first)) maybe will try DS instead)
May I ask what brand number teal and cobalt colours are you using in the video, they are beautiful.
Also if you have a video on how to fix the watercolours on canvas please let me know, as due to easy lifting I am struggling to think how to fixate and protect it))
Hi Mag, sorry for the delay in replying! Yes I found Daniel smith the best in terms of ground but I also have a video on painting onto fredrix watercolour canvas and that was the best of all. The brand was winsor and newton artist quality. I use them almost exclusively as I know them and so keep using them!
I have not done a video fixing watercolour on canvas or paper but can do one soon! I did do that the other day using a satin spray varnish and it worked well! Good luck! Thanks for watching! Hope that answers your questions! 👍🙏
I do watercolor on wooden ornaments and I make my own watercolor ground. (Liz chaderton does a video on it). I’ve wondered if the daniel smith wg works better or not. Looks like none of these are as good as paper. Also I’ve looked into water soluble oil paints because I hear it’s like watercolor. (I haven’t tried it yet).
Thanks so much for this video. I’m going to be painting a large watercolor painting and would like to try canvas.
Very helpful. I'm trying to paint watercolor on canvas. You use some spray after it's done to protect and conserve?
Yes I would use archival quality varnish in a can. I know that works well! 👍
I have the DS ground and will try it out today on a small canvas but I'm very interested in the QoR cold pressed ground. (The company website says to apply it with a palette knife and wet the knife to smooth it out once it's on the canvas or surface.)
The grounds are very interesting and do work fairly well but I have reverted back to huge pieces of paper wrapped around a canvas as I have not found any ground to really emulate paper in a way that makes me feel comfortable just expressing myself on a large scale. Good luck!
Hi! Did you try the watercolor ground with multiple layers of paint? I work with many layers in my paintings and I need to know which one would work best or does it only work for wet in wet techniques? Thank you! 😊
Random passerby, but, I find layering it works okay. But I need to be patient. If it’s not fully dried I get a messy bloom. This is on QOR light dim & watercolour ground AND DS transparent AND shmicke transparent, the last one being the worst for it.
Hi Scott I just started watching your video and I'm enjoying it. Have you tried aquaboard? I absolutely love it. I use acrylic inks on it. They make bigger panels and also panels with cradle board I'm not sure what the largest size is. I hope this is helpful:)
Hi Cecilia, I have not tried aqua board! Maybe I should try that! Thanks! 🙏
This was so extremely helpful!!!!! Thank you so much for doing this!!😊🙏
I was wondering wich ground I should use to coat a masonite plate that's 12×12in. To paint it with so could do a wet in wet and other watercolor techniques
Hi Katie, I’m not sure if the ground would attach directly to Masonite. You would want some gesso first or some form of primer. Good luck! 👍👍🙏
@@ScottSwinson thanks for your advice
i wonder how well does it COVER watercolour below if I were to use ground on top of them
Hi Mae, the ground would totally cover watercolour if it was underneath. It depends on the ground. Some might need a couple of layers but it would cover it again if you didn't like the painting and wanted to try again....thanks for watching! Cheers Scott
but will it stick? given there is already a layer of watercolour,...that's my other concern.
Thanks Scot
Hi Mae, yes it will totally stick over watercolour! It is essentially an acrylic ground. That can easily go over any watercolour! Enjoy! 👍🙏
thanks
THAT is exactly what most reviewers failed to cover - pun intended
HAHHAAAA
I’m so glad Mae asked this question. I used Golden Absorbent Ground in an attempt to COVER a big green splotch mistake on Arches 140# watercolor paper. Using a 1” flat brush, I only needed to cover a 1” x 2” area. I applied one coat, let it dry for about 1/2 hour then applied mother coat. Let it dry. I painted a pink color over it and while it covered my big green splotch, the pink was quite chalky-opaque. This makes me think maybe the Daniel Smith product is worth a try.
Hi Scott! Thank you for these comparisons. Love the top right effect of the watercolor on the QOR Watercolor Ground! Just beautiful!!! I hope you kept these, and even completed the paintings! Thanks again!
Hi Linda! I am sure they are stuffed in a draw somewhere! lol! Glad you found it helpful! Cheers Scott
Thanks for doing this video, it was very helpful. I am about to do a project - large watercolor on photography backdrop paper for a banner. I was thinking that I would rather use watercolor because I am not that familiar with acrylics. I am thinking of using watercolor ground. Now I know which one I will buy. At times during the video the music was louder than your voice and I wished that the music was more subdued.
Hi Kathy! Yes I’m sorry about the music! I’ve changed my ways! To be honest I’ve ended up painting on watercolour paper snd then varnishing it then stretching it around a canvas! Good luck with the project! 👍👍
@@ScottSwinson Thanks, I look forward to watching more videos.
See you there Kathy!
What if you applied the ground with a sponge roller instead of a brush??? Would that make a smoother surface so the watercolor isn't affected? I may try this out and come back with results.
Good idea! I have not tried that! I might be doing some more experiments around this into the future! Let me know how you get on. 👍
Thanks for this! Exactly what I wanted to know.
Very helpful! I will go for the Golden. Fits my technique best I think.
Sounds like a plan! Good luck!
Scott! Love you dearly. Watch every video, and just purchased DS pearlescent ground, and ordered the gold as well. Please forgive me..
I couldn't hear you with the music on.
I didn't know you had to wait 24 hours.
I'd like to try this on canvas for watercolors.
😘👍💖
I was really liking the QOR cold press but it seemed a bit too unruly nd the dry color was very dull.
Hi, I like your style so much, thank you for sharing your work on this channel. I know that Schminke has a very nice ground for watercolo white or transparent, and it behaves well. Also their watercolor are great and lightfast. Hope this may help you in any way. Thank you again and keep up you work.
Hi Anica, thanks for the message. I really need to do more experiments with watercolour on canvas. Still have a lot to learn in that area so I can paint in the style I like to paint on a large scale. Thanks for watching! 👍😄
I just saw this just now. Thanks for testing these different types of grounds. BTW, next time less volume on the backgound music, hard to hear your voice. Otherwise rather informative.
Hi Ghent! Glad you liked the videos! I make sure there is no music over my voice these days. Made that one a while ago! 👍
Thank you Scott, This was most informative. Framing under glass has become so expensive, I have been considering experimenting with watercolour on other surfaces….believe you may have saved me $$
Thank you. I could hardly hear you with the loud music.
Thanks for this it certainly answered lots of questions! One disappointment your music was too loud! At times could hardly hear you talking but enjoyed your test results. Many thanks 👍😷
Hi Wendy, glad you liked the video. I'm sorry about the music being too loud. It has taken me a while to learn how to tone down the music. I find it hard to have a painting process without music as for me they are an inseparable pair. Any further questions I can answer let me know. Thanks. Scott
Nice comparisons experiment...🎨👍 Thanks🙏
Interesting. I want to mess around with painting watercolour on boards. I too liked the Qor cold press and the Daniel Smith.
Have fun Grannie Annie! Cheers Scott
Have you ever used the sand and atomizer effect? Steve Rieman, an awesome sculptor (teacher) of mine showed me how to do abstract paintings with it. Love the subtleties of it. He has his stuff for sale on his site.
Hi Shannon, can you share a link to what that effect is please? I would love to check it out! 👍
Thanks for a good demonstration.
No worries Brannon! Thanks for watching! 👍
exactly my predicament. thanks for the info!
Hi Nina! No worries. I have some videos done since then and I now just paint onto large pieces of watercolour paper then varnish, then wrap around a canvas. It seems to work really well! 👍🙏
Thank you definitely need to buy cold press one 💗🦋
Hi Zara, glad it helped you make a decision! 👍
Love the different techniques in this video and the music is pretty cool.
Thanks Shannon! 🙏
love this comparison, super helpful! Did you end up working more regularly with surfaces prepped in watercolour ground so you could watercolour paint on other surfaces?
Hi Anaya, I ended up painting on watercolour paper (huge rolls) then varnishing and wrapping around a canvas. I think if I went any bigger I would just use acrylics like watercolour instead as watercolour is so expensive! 👍
Try Qor watercolor paint on the qor cold press covered canvas. Than you get the paint help with the blending. Other watercolor paints are have different binders that will not work well on grounded canvas.
Hi Light Shamana, thanks for the suggestion. I will give that a go at some stage in the future but at the moment I have found that I can paint onto large sheets of watercolour paper, varnish it, then wrap it around a canvas. It's working well for me! Cheers Scott
@@ScottSwinson it is definitely working solution.
Although I found that the edges get loose after a few years. Probably because of the moisture in the air.
Certainly more economical than prep the canvas. I love your work.
Thanks! It’s good to know! 🙏 glad you like my work! 👍
Thanks for posting.
No worries. You are always welcome!
Nice one ❤
Muchas gracias por el vídeo, me interesaba pintar con acuarela o acrílico aguado, en un lienzo de oleo y acrílico, con una base especial y ahora se que si no son lienzos (Canvas) especial para acuarela , es muy díficil , lograr los mismos resultados que en papel para acuarela
Hi Dolores, I am still really interested if anyone can find a way of priming a canvas so it is really close to painting on paper but so far I have not found the answer that I am happy with. Good luck with your painting and thanks for watching! adios.
Isn’t granulation more obvious on rough paper by and large? Also, the lack of sizing must be a factor in watercolor performance I suppose
Hi Mr S. Yes granulation happens more on rough paper because of the peaks and troughs on the paper. And like you said sizing would make a difference too. I am not sure what would create more granulation more or less sizing. Maybe more sizing would create more granulation? Do you know?
Scott Swinson I know Winsor and Newton makes a granulating medium... as far as sizing goes, I know that it makes a tremendous difference in terms of paint behavior and it must be within the paper and on top of the paper. My assumption is that if the paper has the right amount of sizing for optimum performance, then probably granulating paints will show better on paper with such qualities but only with granulating colors. However, if a granulating medium does what it promises to do, I guess sizing doesn’t matter
The granulation will drive me nuts... Love this video, so thank you for it! Golden, and Smith D. gives a better results in my opinion...
Hi Roxana! Glad it was helpful! I ended up painting on large rolls of watercolour paper, wrapped around a canvas then varnished! 👍👍
I prefer the result you got on the DS ground.
Nice video.
Thanks.
no worries Ana!
Would have liked to hear what you wrre saying but the background music was too loud ☹️
Hi Lesley! Yes I know! Sorry about that! I don’t do that any more! One of my earlier videos! 🙏
thanks for this video but I could not hear your comments over the music.. no idea what you said much of the time
Have you tried gelatin layers? I thought watercolor paper is coated with gelatin to make the Watercolor sit in top on the paper. Give it a go🤷🏾
Hi finessence, no I haven’t tried gelatin. It would be interesting to see if that helped the canvas behave like paper. Thanks Lp see if I can get melt hands on some. 👍
The music in the background makes it very difficult to follow. Would really appreciate without the music.
I know! Sorry I learnt my lesson on that!
I just glue my watercolors onto a prestretched canvas then u don’t need to deal with frames. Also because I prefer painting on paper
Hi Diana, that is just what I’m going to do in the coming weeks! Thanks! 👍
music made it hard to hear what you were saying..... good info, from what I could hear.
Hi Charli! Yes sorry about that! I have learnt from that! I now don't put music on when I am talking...pretty much all the time and if I do on rare occasions then I make it really low! Hope it was still a bit useful! Cheers Scott
I like seeing that you are experimenting with new mediums. Wish I could hear you. The music is drowning you out.
Thank you for sharing. Only I can't hear you too well over the music unfortunately. Even the captions is struggling to pic up your voice at times.
Thanks my fellow Aussie 👍😎 just one tip... No music would be better... Couldn't hear your helpful commentary 😉 Also, heads up - QOR is pronounced KOR/core 👍 very helpful nonetheless!🙏🤗
Hi Mary, thanks for the feedback. I have gradually evolved the videos so there is generally no music with talking. Glad you enjoyed the video. Which part of Australia do you live in? I’m in engadine, Sydney.
@@ScottSwinson Hey Scott, cool, I haven't had time to watch any more of your videos yet 😁😉 I'm in sunny Brisbane 😎 my sister lives in Byron 👍 but can't get to see them since the boarders have been closed 😒
@@TheLord_MyShepherd Brisvagas! Nice! I was born in Townsville but then moved to Tasmania before I was 1 so not really a banana bender! Yes the border thing must be hard when they are quite close! Hopefully soon things will change! I love Queensland! really amazing! Thanks for watching some of the other videos! Hope you find them useful. Cheers Scott
@@ScottSwinson watching again 2 years on... Still very helpful to me 🙏👍😉 THANK YOU!! You are FABULOUS 👌😎😇
FYI for your future videos. The music is louder than your voice, which makes it harder to hear you. Thanks for the video.
The music covers the voice. More fast forward should have been used
Hi Dominique, I know I’m sorry. It took me a while to work out how to make videos. I now never put music on when I’m talking and time lapse bits with no speech. Cheers Scott
@@ScottSwinson I really liked the full length format, even though it is not for everyone. But yes, the music was really not working mainly because I really wanted to hear what you were saying but then my ears start hurting. I would still think a very faint music (like just 10% of what we have here) in the background is a nice way to fill the vacuum, if you know what I mean.
@@rupamg hi rupam! Yes I know! I have reduced music in the videos so there is less but will see how I go bringing it in slowly and very quietly! Glad you like the video! 👍🙏
Happy to see your experiment but I can’t hear what you’re saying over the beautiful music.
Hi Lisa! I know I’m really sorry! I don’t do that any more! Early days in the steep learning curve of how to make a video! 🙏🙏
Vous devriez lorsque vous parlez ne pas avoir de musique en arrière fond. Il est difficile de vous comprendre.
Je sais que je suis désolé pour ça ! J'ai appris qu'il n'est pas bon d'avoir en arrière-plan !
“Background” music is far too loud
We both came to the exact same conclusion, it's not the same in any way shape or form. I have the golden ground, I was curious to ask you if you tried this with only one layer of each watercolor ground? It would have been amazing if it actually behaved like watercolor paper, that would have been revolutionary!
Hi Michael, yes! I would love to know if there is anything out there that can be like paper. I am about to embark on a huge watercolour over 200cm wide and about 100cm high. then I will mount it onto a canvas. If there was a ground or canvas that worked like paper I would be doing that not doing this process. If you ever find anything let me know. Some people have made some suggestions on here which I will look into. thanks for watching. Cheers Scott 👍🙏
Your background music makes hearing your comments VERY difficult.
Hi Diane! i know! I'm sorry about that it took me a while to learn that and have now changed my ways! Although my latest video does have a very small amount of music in the background but most of my videos don't any more. Try using headphones it can help a bit. Sorry about that! Scott
@@ScottSwinson I realize that now. I should have read the other comments first. I think I was able to get information from it just by watching. It is my understanding that you liked the DS watercolor ground, and the QOR cold press ground....but all do work but some have a longer learning curve.
Can’t hear you you over music
I know! Sorry! I don't do that any more! You could try it with headphones?
Was your home invaded by hundreds of crickets? The audio is just terrible on this one. Had to turn it right down and couldn’t hear you talking.
I know! A terrible video! Crappy audio, music playing over the top of my talking! sorry! I have learnt over the months and years I hope! Sorry! There are crickets and rain and music and talking! OMG! Crazy!
@@ScottSwinson Yes, I've enjoyed your later videos, although the scratching of the whites with a knife blade is like chalk on a blackboard to me so I have to skip ahead at those points :)
@@goilo888 I’m sure lots of people hate that sound! Maybe I should play music and mute the scratching! 👍👍
@@ScottSwinson Might be an idea. It might just be more annoying for me since I listen to vid's via Bluetooth through my hearing aids. If something comes on that is too loud, etc. my only option is to fast forward since I cannot quickly mute the sound.
I find that the music in the Background is too loud. I love your artstyle but the music is just hurting my ears. (Just in some parts of the Video, I noticed that the music Covers your Voice.)
Hi Maria, sorry about that. I should probably get rid of the music but it is strange for me because painting and music have always gone together! I’ll make sure it’s very low in the background when I’m talking! Thanks for watching! Let me know in the next video if it’s better! I edit them with headphones in so maybe the voice is clearer in those headphones compared to coming out of a speaker? 😃👍🙏
I think the fault is your paper which is too smooth and is not absorbing the paint or water enough to give you effect you are looking for ...
Hi David, good thought. I’ll check that out as an idea. Thanks for mentioning that! 👍
Couldn't hear a single word you said
Sorry Philip! I’ve learnt a lot since then!! 👍👍
If only we could hear your observations over the loud AF music
The music in the background is maddening!!
It’s so loud I can barely hear the voice.
The worst part is, there is no other video comparing these 4 grounds, so, no other option but to be stuck with the annoying music.
Other than that, it’s great painting, and thorough comparison.
But, please, no more music over voice, it makes the voice uncomprehensible and the instrument impossible to enjoy.
Turn off your music please😊
099ni
Hello,
This video is rendered useless because of the background cricket noise.
Lawrence
I love the crickets reminders me of the home I lost ,there was also had like a million frogs going at it mixed in. Better then the piano. I think I like the crickets better then the piano and his lovely voice. I’m watching and listening till the end, 🤩 with my morning tea and ginger and colouring 🤪👩🎨
This was a dissapointing video. I could not hear what you were saying because the music was drowning you out! And I could barely make out the names written on the canvas, so not sure what was what. I'm trying to find a watercolour ground that acts the closest to watercolour paper! I have been playing around trying different things when I came across Golden Molding Paste. It actually reacts well to watercolour paints. The course one works best but I'm going to try different mixtures of Molding paste with the absorbent ground and it also says you can add gesso to it to smooth it out more. Sorry you still have this video on UA-cam wasting peoples time. : (
Hi JL, sorry you feel that way! Obviously not everyone feels that way as it has been viewed 1600 odd times and has 55 likes vs 2 dislikes. That 97% of people happy. Feel free to not watch. I am sorry about the music. I am improving that by not having music when I talk. I think your feedback is a bit strong. Happy painting. 👍🇦🇺