Is This The Easiest Way to Stretch Watercolor Paper? Sunset Cloudscape With The Otto Stretcher.
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- Опубликовано: 20 апр 2024
- Maybe! I plan to find out. Regardless, join me for a relaxing sunset, cloudscape demo.
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Coincidentally, I bought Otto stretchers a few weeks before this video was released. Going by the maker's instructions I tighten the screws enough that it actually does stop seepage (this is done in a second pass of tightening after the first looser pass) and I leave the paper in the stretcher when painting. Works great! I let the painting fully dry before removing it from the stretcher and I end up with a nice flat painting with crisp white borders. Plus you get to keep the deckled/torn edge. The only missing element is being able to paint like Steve !😉
Like the new setting AND the stretcher. You should get paid for this!!
Satisfying my curiosity and discovering a workable process is payment enough.
Your painting is absolutely beautiful; the sky, especially, is gorgeous.
I have never heard of double stretching and I have never seen how one of these stretchers works. You are always the go-to information source for all things watercolor. I have learned so much from you.
Also, thank you for showing the rippling on the watercolor block. I have always bought the pads or the imperial size sheets because the manufacturers charge such a premium for the blocks and now I know for sure they wouldn't even work work for me because I work very wet.
Your new studio and sign look great, and Reese looks right at home.
Again, I just love your painting :)
I did some double stretching back in the day to very large sheets. But it was time consuming and labor intensive. As an illustrator on deadlines most times I always looked for shortcuts. 😄
Thanks Steve. I bought several Otto stretchers back when you first talked about them and love them!
Cool MoW light! Great demonstration- amazed at the difference between block and stretcher bars. Beautiful painting!
Late to the party, my apologies! Fantastic device. I live in Scotland and I have heard of a similar stretching device made by an elderly artist in England. He designed and builds them himself for sale (if you can find him/them). He came up with the idea during the 2nd world war when he would make do and mend, and when there was very little paper to be found, making it each painting more precious. It is perhaps not quite as pretty as Otto’s design, but thank goodness for artist/entrepreneurs!
Now to your painting Steve. I am one of your loyal viewers who tend not to say too much, and oddly enough the last time I did, it was to drool over the same architectural painting you highlighted early in this video. What I wanted to say, was that both the visual and audio were so beautifully matched, that I felt absolutely entranced. When our senses are given deliciousness, it must be acknowledged. I honestly felt that both the sunset and music would have been very much at home in Scotland where those colours are often seen where I live and the music too has that familiar lilt to it. Whatever it was that made me speak up, I am left feeling truly grateful. Thank you.
I just found your channel last night. I am going to be binge watching 😊 I am 68 and have always wanted to learn to paint better get started before it's too late lol.😍. I think you are so talented and will help so much thank you for your help and hard work 👍 ❤️ blessings to you and your family from Ontario ❤️😍👍🙏🇨🇦
Beautiful spontaneous landscape Steve. I tape my arches paper to create a border and let it day for a day or two before taking the tape off, comes out flat just about every time. Thanks for sharing the video, you are the master.
Love the new background light!
Simple design, efficient, will last a lifetime. That's a very nice tool. Oh man i love that painting 😍. Thank your for sharing.
Thank you, Steve, you are a joy and your teaching is invaluable! Blessings !
the new background is looking fancy 😎
My kind of scene thanks Steve, nice new studio too.
I love your new sign!
Love your painting.
I was concerned that paint might move into the corners where there seemed to be a space. Okay just heard the end where you said the bars don’t stop seepage. Always good to see the different products out there. Your studio looks great and it is very easy to see you are happy with it.
Absolutely beautiful painting.
Thank you, Steve! What a lovely painting!!! I always learn so many things from you in each video! You look terrific and very happy in your new studio!!! Enjoy!!! 💙🤍💚
Congratulations on your new set-up! Nice shirt too! Thanks for the demo about the Otto stretcher - very informative. Gorgeous painting too!
That painting is beautiful!
Beautiful 😍 and love the studio too.
What a beautiful sunset painting.
It looks amazing!
the sky is really gorgeous
I don’t think I’d use the stretcher bars, but ohhhh- I love this painting!!!!
So gorgeous! Love to watch you paint.
Nice! I love this painting!
I like this product! Thank you for sharing such a good idea!
Great device that looks like it works better than blocks! Use up that paper!
So nice to see you again! Thanks for the new video! ❤
Thank you!
Thank you for your beautiful painting! Wow It’s gorgeous 😊 And thank you for the info on stretching paper I’ll have to check it out.
Lookin’ Good! 👍
This might be the PERFECT device for me!!! I also use blocks on a regular basis, but I still have to tape the edges to prevent buckling! Which still doesn't completely flatten the piece. I tent to work VERY wet and work large!
Fantastic shirt Seve.
Nice!
It took to long for me to figure out that Mow light is Mind of Watercolor. I thought you got really into mowing for a second there!
😄
Great time for this vid Steve, as I just watched some videos about the new Stonehenge (which i love their paper its my go-to) metal backed boards, and while they seem nice and slightly cheaper than other high end watercolor boards, I was a little worried about sustainability, with the use of aluminum on every board. I think this may be a nice sustainable compromise between staple stretching, watercolor blocks, and a metal backed board. I think maybe It just depends on what you like and what your process is like, mobility issues or not, sustainability concerns or not, how much water you employ, and how much money you want to spend on boards or blocks etc.
Thanks, you are a wonderful teacher and artist! Been watching you for years now! Love that you got a new studio space :)
I’ve seen those panels and wondered about them. I liked Stonehenge Aqua initially but less so the more I’ve used it so I don’t know. I’ve defaulted back to Arches mostly. It’s never let me down.
I bought 2 full sheet sizes of gatorboard. Left one full, cut the other into quarters. I staple stretch without using a tub, just soak front and back, lay on board and staple. I only tape if I want a border. Been using the same boards for over 8 years. Bought a roll of arches. Easy peasy.
Yup. I took a class with Mary Whyte. She had us do the same thing. I still have that board. Super simple
Yep, probably the most commonly practiced approach. It works. I did this for years on a drawing board (same difference). Simple but still a time consuming pain when you just want to sit down and paint.
@@mindofwatercolor hum, I guess it seemed easier than that stretcher to me, plus cheap. But I get it. To each their own. 😉🙏⚘️
@@reeseosbornestudios 😄 true. Free is the best part of stapling. The Otto is super fast in comparison. Probably its only advantage. It’s truly not for everyone but as I always say, I review things to show viewers why they might NOT want it as much as why they might. 😁
@@mindofwatercolor I do 4 at a time so there's always one handy😁
❤❤❤
You can soak Arches 140 for literally hours, it just doesn't care. The Ottos are gonna be a great investment, saving money/resources over time when you no longer have to replace boards from staple damage. Those boards can also warp and buckle over time from stretching with staples and tape, the Ottos should prevent that as well.
This work very well, I bought the smaller and used it for 3 years before I bought another (larger). I take the paper out when it’s dry and tape it onto a different board to paint it. However, I will try your way. I hate to get paint on the board.
Thanks for that testimonial. I’ll be doing that also in the future.
I must say, I run my paper under the tap briefly both sides, let it sit for a minute then repeat the process, letting it sit for a minute or so again. Then I tape it down with gummed paper, no staples. So far so good! Lovely landscape ❤
Thanks! That’s how I was originally taught years ago. Works great If you get decent paper tape but I’ve had mixed results with the gum failing. Staples were a guarantee.
@@mindofwatercolor It’s good to know that brands vary. Something to look out for.
Where I live we have way too much iron and other minerals in our tap water to use it for painting. I use distilled water in the studio.
Hi Steve, I really like the music you play, who is that?
I've just been using a piece of glass and not taping it down. By the time I'm done with the first layer it's flat, maybe because it's stuck to the glass.
I’m familiar with that back wetting process. it just doesn’t work well with the way I paint.
@@mindofwatercolornot cheap, but there is always 300 lb paper.
@Scottlp2 , a problem with occasionally using 300lb paper is that it acts like a sponge. If you've been used to painting on 140lb paper, you'll have to totally change your water and pigment ratios. It's like going back to watercolor lesson 101. But 300lb is an option if price isn't a concern. But most average income painters might be less "daring" in their work, for fear of ruining a $20 sheet of paper.
Hi Steve. Thank you for this demo. Beautiful as always. I have a question about the otto stretcher. I see that it is wood, is it sealed to prevent it from rotting and staining?
It would be interesting to see if the paint on the frames comes off when you are doing your next painting, or do you clean it up before using it again?
It stains the wood a bit. I wipe it down to get any excess. I’ll be putting in a thin tape border in the future. I also plan to try just removing the paper before painting. The stretching has already occurred and is permanent. More testing to do.
Love the painting. If you bought the next size up stretcher bars up, would I have a little more white around the paper, and then use the masking tape as well to stop seepage? Hope that makes sense. Trying to work out if I could paint a couple of different sizes of paintings using the one set of the otto stretcher bars.
You could. Just cut them to size and tape each to another board to paint. The stretching would be permanent once it’s dry in the stretcher.
I looked at these stretchers years ago. I didn't like the design because the painting surface of the paper was inhibited by the stretcher..so..I built my own, of my own design. The paper lays flat and you are not fighting a chunk of wood to paint! The painting is looking awesome! Also..I edit to add..I only stretch full sheets of paper.
I suppose it might annoy some but I never found myself fighting anything or the wood getting in the way. I actually like how sturdily it’s mounted. Also paper can be removed to paint on. Stretching (shrinkage) is permanent and has already occurred. Something I may try next. Lots more testing to do. This is pretty new and unfamiliar process to me since I traditionally never stretch.
@@mindofwatercolor I wasn't knocking the product so much as it didn't suit what I wanted out of a paper stretcher. My own design has it's own flaws, as in you have to sacrifice the edges, or iron them out to make them lay flat. But while painting, they don't get in the way of the brushes. Either way your channel is always informative and enjoyable to watch! Thanks for sharing your knowledge with the rest of us!
@@slide8570 that’s ok. I appreciate the honest comment. I count on those. I have no loyalty to this product per se other than trying to see if it works for me. So far no issues but time will tell. I don’t make a dime from this product.
@@mindofwatercolor I never made a dime from my own idea either..I just wanted it to work for me! Here is a full sheet mostly watercolor painting..I did this years ago and tried to share what I remember doing with people that might like this media. I used my paper stretcher on this one : ruclips.net/video/bEswVkyopJ8/видео.html Thanks for sharing..painting is personal and fun! I need to get back into it! Thanks again!
That’s why I take the paper off the board before I paint the picture, I tape a 1 /2 inch border with masking tape. Then paint.
Steve, I love your new studio space and have never heard of those stretchers. Years ago, a wonderful artist friend showed me how to use drafting tape on the edges of his watercolor paper after removing the stickiness by placing it on his jeans first. After the painting was dry he lightly sprayed the back of his painting with clean water (lightly is the operative word), placed it between 2 acid free papers, and slipped it under the rug in his studio for the night. The next day the piece was completely flat as well as having a nice clean border. It always works.
That's not the reason why artists stretch paper. They stretch it so it remains completely flat *while* they're painting, so there are no unwanted pools of paint gathering. (Not me though, I'm too lazy.)
@@kreativna The drafting tape on a board and the edge of the paper holds the paper tight while you paint.
The main reason for stretching watercolor paper is to prevent excessive buckling during the painting process. It does also help it return to a completely flat state when you're finished.
Hi Steve...long time fan. Thanks as always for the effort you go to in order to produce these videos.
I have a question about this.... can you take the paper out after letting it dry and paint on any surface to your liking? Do you have to paint on it while it's still in the frame?
You can take it out. The stretching has already occurred. Though it might warp a little. Not sure since I usually don’t remove it.
Thanks, for next time can you move the mixing tray more just to learn more on mixing the watercolors, mostly appreciated
I thoroughly soak my watercolor paper for about 10-15 minutes then press it down on my self healing cutting mat. It sticks to it pretty well without any tape and gives me ample time to work on the washes. I can pick up the mat to move paint around on the paper and find this so much easier than taping paper down. It dries pretty evenly and flat, but to be sure it's the flattest it can be, I wait until the paper is barely damp and sandwich it between glassine sheets and heavy books on top. I then work on the details with wet on dry technique. I can re-wet if I need to and wait a little bit and sandwich again in my makeshift press if it needs it. If I want a border for a clean edge, I will use painters tape or washi tape but it all depends on whether I use a mat and frame or adhere the painting to a cradle board.
I’m familiar with the wet mount technique. Others here have mentioned it but it doesn’t work for the way I paint.
A quick question about the beautifully painted sky: how did you get those harder edges in the sun area within the clouds? And those along the waterway? Very evocative. I'm returning to painting after a year's absence. Very much looking forward to catching up on your videos. Thank you.
Just simple wet on dry. The dryer the paper the crisper the edge.
QUESTION: Can you wet the paper, let it dry, then remove the stretcher and tape fown the edges and it will remain flat ? Because the fibers have already stretched? That way if the bars bother some people they dont have to deal with them while painting?❤
Yes I think so. I just suggested that in another comment. Worth a try.
Not sure about that one Steve. Doesn’t seem to keep the paper as taught as the Ken Bromley Perfect Paper Stretcher throughout the whole process. Great painting by the way as always.
Otto holds it tight. Ken Bromley is good I have one, but he doesn’t have one small enough to fit a 9x12” perfectly. It’s only available from the UK and a bit fiddly to mount the paper. Otto is easier to use.
I use the Ken Bromley stretcher in the U.K. the paper is wrapped around the board, so no raised border on the surface. They come in imperial (1/2, 1/4 sizes). I find they work really well for stretching paper.
I have a Bromley. It’s not bad but not available in the size I need most. Paper can actually be removed before painting from any stretcher once it’s stretched.
@@mindofwatercolor The one you show is not an available here, it looks good though. Yes you are limited to imperial sizes with the Bromley, but I do sometimes paint more generic sizes on the boards, there is some paper wastage around the edges of course doing that, for example, A4 on the 1/4 size, A3 on the 1/2, but it’s the best I have been able to find here other than using paper tape. I buy my paper in loose sheets as it works out much cheaper in the long run. Just a personal choice though. Thank you for sharing.
@@ladygwarth the fact that it works for you is what’s most important.
Steve, did you let the paper dry after stretching and then wet it to paint on it? I've only stretched paper with gummed tape on hardboard or staples on stretcher bars (if I wanted access to wet the backside) and I always let it dry first. I never had any buckling that way. Now I wonder if I needed to let it dry to begin with. I haven't stretched paper in years, but stretched paper is magical to paint on!
Another question,did the thickness of the frame get on your way at all?
Thanks for the review.i wondered about this!
Hey Lindsay. Yes. Once I mounted the paper, I let it dry overnight. The wet paper, which has expanded, shrinks and stretches. I rewet it for painting. The bars (or tape or staples) just hold it in place while it shrinks. Buckling was very minimal after that and it returned to completely flat after my painting dried which is what you want.
The bars didn't bother me while painting but several people mentioned that they might not like them. They didn't inhibit my painting in any way. I realized though that the stretch in the paper is permanent so next time I'll try just removing the paper from the bars after stretching and tape it to another surface.
Canvas stretcher bars is a method I've not tried. I like how it can add mechanical tension on top of the shrinkage stretch. But I never liked the idea of my paper not having a support base underneath. I guess I should try it sometime. I have come to dislike the whole stapling and staple removal process. Just too impatient I guess. LOL! The Otto Stretcher is at least as good as staple mounted paper on a board and so much faster.
@mindofwatercolor I might try a 9x12, even cheap paper stretched is much better. I thought the prices were fair for the Otto stretcher.
Hullo Steve, this is a beautiful painting! I am wondering if the larger size stretchers pull the paper tighter? This smaller 9x12 does not look like it is keeping your paper truly flat. Is that just the video? I have been using the 5/8 size wood stretcher bars that are used for canvas. I soak my paper and hold it in place with staples, yes there is more waste as I cut it down to size, so cutting my full sheets so that they do wrap around the edges. I just got a new set of bars for some rolls of paper. It is 15 inches wide by 50 feet long so I got 14 x 36 inches bars this is for a series of panoramic pictures. I believe this Ishtar be the only way to get a piece of paper stretched, do you know a better method? Oh I soak my paper in a wall paper pan it does take a bit more time as it needs to be spun or rolled in the pan until the paper is well soaked. You have to be sure that you do not wash away the sizing! Thank you for sharing this sweet painting with us.
They don’t pull paper at all. They’re simply clamps. The paper pulls itself when it shrinks.
The canvas stretcher bar method is a good method used by some notable professionals.
Viewers in 🇬🇧 might want to check out the Ken Bromley Perfect Stretcher.
Hmmm, not sure 🤔. I would definitely get annoyed trying to paint freely with that frame all around.
I haven’t pre stretched paper in ages but definitely prefer the old school method that I was taught; just soaking paper then taping it to a wood panel with gummed tape (no staples really needed either).
Staples became a necessity for me to be certain. Paper often pulled away from the tape.
@@mindofwatercolor 🙁
Warping; the ONLY downside of watercolour painting😁
@@ErinEnoArt other options are to use only 300lb paper or mount paper on wood panels (or buy pre mounted on panels). Both pricier.
@@mindofwatercolor 👍🏻💰🙁
I've purchased Gator Board recently with the intention to try the stretching technique by soaking the paper and stapling the edges of paper to the board whilte wet. Have you ever tried that stretching technique?
That is the technique I use and it works great but you do end up with staple marks all the way around your painting that you either have to trim away or conceal with a mat. It does keep the painting perfectly flat though (and I work very wet). I think the biggest advantage to using this stretcher would be if you want to preserve the deckle edge.
Yes but not on gator board on a drawing board. Both work, it’s just a pain. I’d rather just not stretch at all.
Yes, it works very well. I simply hold the paper under the shower until both sides get wet. Not so long that water removes sizing.
Every watercolorist I've taken a class with including Mary Whyte uses that method. Reusable gatorboard and staples.... simple! Tight as a drum when dry.... only way to work around it is to paint on watercolor blocks or paper adhered to a board.
@@reeseosbornestudios yes, it works. I just hate doing it. Although there are many watercolorist like me, pros too, who don’t stretch at all.
Hi Steve, enjoyed your painting. I have what is probably a dumb question but after you stretched your paper and it’s dry can you then tape it to another board and will it stay flat? Also does your shirt have South Park characters on it :) ?
Yes you can. My shirt has Lord of the Rings characters on it. 🙂
@@mindofwatercolor thanks Steve, I should have guessed about the shirt!
I was hoping you’d show the wooden stretcher bars after the painting was done. I’m assuming that the bars were stained from the watercolor paint. That would bug the heck out of me to have stained wood.
Yes they were stained. Doesn’t bother me personally. Otto recommends Thompson’s Water seal or polyurethane. In the future I’ll be removing the paper before painting anyway. The stretching is permanent once dry.
I don't understand why you didn't show how the 'stretcher' "stretches" the paper?? Without that info this was just another beautiful painting demo. Not knowing how the OTO Stretcher works has kept me from trying one for years. I guess I'll just have to keep wondering.
Stretching occurs by just holding the paper down. I showed how it does that. As paper dries it stretches itself when it shrinks. But the edges must be fastened down for that to happen. All stretching works that way. The typical way is with tape and or stapling to a board. This is much faster.
Why not just wet the back B4 painting?
Nah! Tried it. Don’t like it. I paint a lot on an easel.
I have a question about stretching - so if I were to stretch a 12x36" watercolor paper, how would you go about that? The one I have is Arches 140lb hot pressed watercolor paper and my current project, I'm pushing on working 12"x36" since I really like the size and challenge it give me. My only concern is stretching it since I'm gonna have lots of wash and broad strokes for bigger details before getting the finer ones...
The standard way is staples and gummed paper tape. Soak paper first for 10 minutes. You can use just tape but it sometimes pulls loose. Tons of YT how to videos if you do a search.
@@mindofwatercolor Have looked at gummed tape but that rises another concern: lots of ppl are saying to have like an art board or so but only surface I have that can even work with the size would be my wall and I'm concern of whether the tape will actually stick to the wall with the paper or will the water weigh it down, etc...
Could do staples since I plan on having like a 'border' outside the actual size so the tape wouldn't cover what I plan on painting...
@@MadArtistParadise it’s not a process I enjoy to be sure. It’s the main reason I avoid stretching completely when possible.
@@mindofwatercolor so curious then - say that I create my 12"x36" illustrations and they buckle and warp. What do I do then? Granted they'll be in frames later but when scanning them, I'm concerned that the buckling and wrapping would be noticeable....
You can only buy this if you life in the US
Do you sign your paintings
Sometimes. Most times I forget.
I had always been under the impression that the paper is wet and is allowed to stretch before staples, tape or a clamp system was used....
Paper only stretches if it’s held in place as it dries and shrinks.
Very interesting. I must admit I have never heard about ironing a warped painting before. Could you please explain it?
It's cloth basically if it's 100% cotton. I turn the painting over on a clean heat resistant table or counter and spray the back of the painting to dampen it (be careful no to get the front wet obviously). Put a pillow case over it and iron it on a low to medium iron setting. Don't use highest heat.
@@mindofwatercolor Thank you so much!
So it doesn't actually stretch the paper it just keeps it in place and flat. Its just stronger than tape...????
Water makes paper loose and it takes out sizing. When stapled or taped to a board and drys, it becomes tight like a drum. These "stretchers" do the same thing. I hope that helps 🙏
The paper stretches itself when it shrinks. Most forms of stretching just hold the paper (except maybe the Ken Bromley stretcher or using canvas stretcher bar method). If you’re using Arches it takes a lot to wash out the sizing. Arches is sized internally all the way way through.
@@mindofwatercolor sorry to show my lack of knowledge but what do you mean by sizing?
Sizing is a solution applied or mixed with the paper fibers to control absorption. Otherwise it would be like painting on a paper towel or blotter paper with no ability to manipulate the paint. Some paper is internally sized all the way through (like Arches). Some is simply sized on the surface. Sizing is somewhat water-soluble so if the paper is soaked too long for stretching you may wash it all out. This is especially true of surface sized papers.
What happened to MG? Did I ask this question before? I’m getting de ja vu.
What are you referring to?
@@mindofwatercolor MG! The other skull you had. I can’t believe you forgot him 🥺.
@@awatercolourist oh he’s around. He’s named for the paint M Graham so I didn’t know which you were referring to.
@@mindofwatercolor That’s a relief 😂. It was obvious that you named him after the paints when you first introduced MG to us. You also mentioned it in the same video. Well, do pass on my regards to Reese and MG 🙂😂.