How-To: Mounting Watercolor on Wood Panel (2024 UPDATE)
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- Опубликовано: 23 май 2024
- I first posted a tutorial on how to mount a watercolor painting on a birch panel back in 2016, and it's become a much more widespread practice in the past few years. My process for mounting a painting on panel has changed a bit over the years, so I can ensure a better outcome, and I'm sharing those changes in this video.
Supplies Needed: (When you purchase using these links, I get a small commission. Thank you!)
Gesso or Primer: I use this super primer amzn.to/3WFywUj
Golden Extra Heavy Gel Medium [Scroll down the list to select the size you want]: bit.ly/2ghLfc6
Krylon Kamar Varnish Spray: bit.ly/2fS7XqM
Dorland Wax Medium: bit.ly/2ghPFje
Wood Panel slightly smaller than your painting
Sharp knife for trimming the edges, sandpaper for smoothing
Brushes for applying the medium
Lint free cloth for applying wax and buffing
I find this method works best on 140 lb paper, as thicker paper might not adhere as evenly to the panel.
Learn with me! Mentorship for heart-prioritizing artists: angelafehr.com 
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Thanks for this! I'm new to painting and didn’t know how to approach this. ❤
I've been using this method for some time now after seeing you first video Angela!
Over time I have bypassed the step of sealing with the varnish spray with no adverse results - not yet anyway. Thank you for the update - all the best.
Same! So far, so good 🤞🏼
That's interesting to know! I feel strongly about sealing just to add that additional barrier against acids from the wood.
Thank you @juliecremer3545 as I was thinking that you shouldn’t need varnish if you are using wax. I want to try this but would forego the varnish as well. It may reduce the risk of yellowing over the years
Great update! I'm going to finally try this way of framing after having all the supplies for a few years. Thanks for inspiring me once again, Angela. 💖🙏💖
That sounds like me - I usually have the supplies for a LONG time before I actually get around to trying a new process.
So glad I found your video a few years ago! Love this treatment . Thank you for the uodate!
Thanks for the update. Great information!
so nice 😍
Thanks for letting us know of your improvements to this way of framing. I’ve done several in the old way and I do love framing this way. I’m glad for more information and also the reminder. I have a few paintings that I put off doing this, because it is time consuming. But I need to get back to it! Thanks!
It's more convenient for me than framing under glass, but either way I tend to procrastinate!
I love this idea and I’m keen to give it a try. The idea of removing any barriers between the painting and the viewer appeals. I also like to add texture like embroidery or dried flowers to some of my art so it will be interesting to see how that goes with this method.
Yes, I think you have lots of options for adding further layers, although I would do that before you add the wax medium since it's hard to make things adhere to wax.
Thanks for the update! I have framed quite a few smaller paintings following your process and they have turned out well. I wonder if you ever mount any of yours in a floating frame. I ask because that was a suggestion given to me by another artist.
I have done just one floating frame - it's a more complex technique because you don't want the painting to touch the glass, and so if I'm getting this method done, I would ask a professional framer.
Thank you for the update. I love the idea of this process but haven't tried it yet. I have some commissions coming up for some watercolor paintings for 2 children's rooms and I think I will be using this process for that. I really don't care for watercolor paintings behind glass... I bought Golden Gas 100 to prep the wood - I saw that suggestion online and wondered if anyone has tried using that. Angela love your videos!
I have GAC 100 but haven't been able to find a use for it (I was thinking it was an adhesive) so maybe I will try this too!
Wonderful process! How do you attach a wire for hanging? Do you drill mounts into the back side edges or put eye screws inside the back side edges which would keep the panel more flush to the wall? Thank you.
Usually I use the eye screws and wire, like you've mentioned.
In Byzantine iconography we use a substance called mixtion to adhere the gold leaf to the gessoed board. To protec the gold leaf we use Goma laca. I wonder whether these products could be used for mounting on board. O haven't tried this technique yet. My other query is whether the wax protective layer would oxidise over time and become brownish.
That sounds like another fascinating process! My experience has been that oxidizing shouldn't be an issue, however I would recommend checking out the Dorland's website and seeing what they say about the longevity of their wax used as a finish. To my memory they stand by the product's long-term preservation ability.
I love the idea of this process. One question I have is about the paper itself. Are you using a heavier weight paper (e.g. 300 v 140) to minimize wrinkling/curling and ensure a very flat surface before applying it to the board? Or does the paper just flatten out as you affix it to the panel? In other words, do you have a pre-process to flatten the paper (iron, books) or just use heavier paper?
Great question! I use 140 lb paper. Thicker paper (300 lb) is trickier to get evenly adhered. I usually spend quite a lot of time applying pressure and really rubbing it down with a squeegee or brayer, especially if the painting is quite large. I haven't had to pre-smooth the paper before I apply it to the panel, it's usually enough to massage it down as I adhere it. And then I try to apply even pressure during the drying process - using books, plywood (with a barrier layer of paper or plastic between) so that no sections pop up during the drying process.
Thanks for sharing. Do you think soft gel would work as an adhesive?
You know, I'm not sure! I haven't used soft gel so I'm not sure how "soft" it actually is.
Can you use a glue instead of gel medium to adhere the painting to the board?
I don't see why not although I would be careful in choosing the glue so I don't choose one that could break down the paper over time. Some glues get brittle as well so that would be something to consider.
When do you use the gel
This method of waxing the pigments comes from the Chinese. They waxed their frescoes on the Great Wall of China and these are well preserved.
Oh I love that it has a long history like that! Thank you for sharing this.