Gallery-wrapped Watercolours

A step by step tutorial by Shelley Prior on how to wrap a gallery canvas with watercolour paper.
Supplies needed -
CLEAN surface to work on
140lb cold press watercolour paper
gallery canvas
heavy duty staple gun
clean sponge, basin or tub to soak your watercolour paper
ruler
knife and cutting surface or scissors
Thanks Char McGill and Ellen Catherwood for introducing me to this fantastic method!

[@suel4269]

Excellent information!

[@aprilbraca3921]

Thanks Shelly, your videos are most often addressing things I need and want to know. Love spending time with you on my iPad.

[@shelleypriorfineart]

Thanks so much April. I’m happy that you have joined me and are finding my demos helpful

[@lynnfrenette8706]

Just came across this one and I have a stack of canvas I was going to give away because I no longer work with acrylics. But I am going to try this the next time I stretch my paper. Thanks for the tips!

[@shelleypriorfineart]

Thanks. It's a great alternative to framing and there's no need for glass or mats!

[@goilo888]

Interesting. I did this to one of my paintings before seeing this. I actually wrapped the paper to stretcher bars AFTER I had painted it which kind of defeats the purpose really (no buckling of paper when actually painting!). Additionally, I removed the canvas first. I see from your note at the end that this was something I perhaps should not have done, due to possible problems with acid in the wood. Live and learn. In hindsight I think your method is better because the strength and spring of the canvas underneath the paper would help when painting. Instead of wax (which I didn't know about) I sprayed the final painting with a few coats of fixative and then brushed on two light coats of acrylic gloss medium. You could of course use matte medium, which probably is more suited to a watercolour.

[@shelleypriorfineart]

Third Dimension Jewellery - Thanks so much for your reply! I’m glad you found some useful tips here. If you didn’t want the canvas you can also purchase regular stretcher bars (cost-saving) and just seal them first. I believe quite a few artists use spray to seal their watercolours as well.

[@lesleyhoban6559]

Th very much ... this I will try

[@shelleypriorfineart]

Happy painting Lesley :)

[@WendyMoule]

Thanks for this video! I subscribed to you as it was so useful.

[@shelleypriorfineart]

Wendy M thanks so much Wendy!

[@suel4269]

How would you paint the front and sides so you have an even wash?

[@shelleypriorfineart]

Hi Sue. Wet the area first and paint continuously on the front and sides.

[@deeporter7369]

I use the cold wax. medium on my watercolours after fixing then to birch panels.... I love not having to fuss with glass

[@shelleypriorfineart]

Yes and customers really enjoy seeing the watercolor without glass too ... no glare or breakage and nothing visible coming between the viewer and the art.

[@christineykim]

Is there a reason you leave the canvas on? It seems like it would just add bulk on the sides.

[@coolrunnings3]

I think it helps to make the surface more strong when you paint on it later. Water on floating paper might not be a great idea. 😊

[@shelleypriorfineart]

It adds a bit of support to the paper and eliminates the need to seal the wood frame which is acidic (not good for acid-free watercolor paper)