How to stretch watercolour paper - the best way!

You can watch the video , where yes, I show you the best way (without a doubt) to stretch watercolour paper.
OR if you prefer to read, the instructions are below.

I'm going to show you the easy way to stretch watercolour paper. This is the best way and the easiest way. Trust me, I've been doing this for years and I love this method.

You don't need a lot of equipment. I use this method in the studio, when I'm travelling overseas, when I'm out in the field. It doesn't matter where I am. It's such an easy method. It's my favourite method

WHAT YOU NEED

Now what do you need? Not a lot of equipment, but there's a couple of crucial things.

First of all, you'll need a board. For this method I highly recommend Gator board. Although using other boards is possible, it is much more difficult and may not always work.
However a gator boar is perfeect for this method (and I think they are fantastic just to use as a regular board for drawing, painting etc).

A Gator board. It's has polystyrene insert with a laminate surface. So it's very, very sturdy. But the best thing about it, it is so, so light.

I can't recommend it enough. If you want are interested in one you can click on the link below.

The other thing you'll need, of course, is your paper, brush and some water.

But apart from the Gator board, which is really a crucial part of this method, the other crucial thing is simply a stapler. A stapler that you can open up to a flat shape.

OK, now that you have the gear, let's start.

HOW TO STRETCH

Place the paper on your board with the correct side of the paper facing down.

Then wet it all with your brush. You really have to get that paper nice and wet (really soaking).

Then turn the paper over and do the same to the other side. Make sure you cover it all.

Give time for the water to really soak into the fibres of the paper until you see the paper buckling in a few places. Don't worry about that too much (in fact you want it to happen).

You can pull the corners out a bit to flatten it out a bit, but even if there's buckles left, don't worry about it.

Get your stapler, open it up, and staple around the edges (slightly in from the sides) about every 1 or 2 cm (about 1 inch)

Once you have staples around the edge of the entire sheet, you just let it dry, or you can dry it with a hair dryer.

When it's dry it will be flat and as tight as a drum. All the buckles will be gone and it will ready for you to paint your masterpiece.

TIP: If you love a lovely white edge around your painting, just put strips of masking tape around your painting (covering the staples).

This is the best part and another reason gator board is so good - when you have finished your painting (and it is dry), it is very simple to simply pick the staples out of the board. If you have used good paper and it is dry you can even grab the corner of your paper and gently pull up. The staples will simply pop out with the paper. Then remove the staples from the paper.

IS THERE ANOTHER METHOD?

Yes there is, but it is an older method and is more difficult and time consuming. It uses gum tape (the tape that becomes sticky when you wet it) and many people have a lot of trouble using this method. I did too, until I worked out what the solution is. So if you are interested (or if you use gum tape and have trouble with it lifting), watch my video below where I show you the solution.

If you would like to learn more about watercolour equipment, you can sign up to my FREE COURSE on the Ultimate Guide to watercolour materials for beginners.

However if you have all your gear and are struggling a bit with your painting maybe my Watercolour for Beginners course is for you.

I hope you have much luck and success with not only stretching your paper, but painting in watercolour.

Happy painting.

Charles