Stretched paper problem

I usually stretch my watercolour paper on a piece of plywood, glued down with brown paper which requires wetting first. I have always had problems with the paper glueing itself to the board. Just this morning, I lost the corner of one piece. All around the edge small pieces have been left. I think the glue on the brown tape has leaked under the paper, and in the case of the corner, more glue, possibly because the tape is overlapped. Has anyone else had these problems and what is the cure?

I too use the brown paper tape with hide glue that requires wetting. I've never had a problem like yours. Do you thoroughly soak the tape BEFORE attempting to remove it? I use a sponge for this purpose, which allows me to soak the paper tape without wetting the work or smearing the watercolor. Once the glue is wet, the tape and the paper should separate easily.

Also, I know other artists who use a razor blade for cutting the tape loose. They then soak the remaining tape to remove it. I prefer to preserve the deckled edge of my watercolor paper - as apparently you do too - so I prefer my method of removal.

I have used the razor blade method. I had not considered rewetting the tape - I suppose I was afraid of distorting the paper again. I will try your method next. Thanks. N.H

ONLY WET THE TAPE - not the entire paper.

I use a large rectangular sponge and the EDGE of the sponge is applied to the tape all around. You may have to keep re-wetting and applying in order to saturate the tape. You WILL wet the paper that is under the tape, but only that portion.

On the other hand, did you know that you can dump an entire finished watercolor into a water bath with very little color being affected? Try it sometime with an unsucessful watercolor you don't care about. It'll put your mind at ease about colors running, and being able to re-stretch the paper if need be.

One of the most frustrating experiences in w/c is trying to get a good wash on buckled paper. All the more reason to use quality paper made for the job. If the price is prohibitive, consider adhearing the paper to matboard. The quality of your materials will be reflected in your work, which you seem to be concerned with or the wash would not be important to you.

I never 'matt over' the edges. I have the framer float the paper when it's framed so that both the deckle and the border are part of the finished work. It is after all a watercolor, with all that implies. If someone reframes mine to hide the border, that is their option/taste - not mine.

I choose the same method of flotation for the prints I sell too.

I too dislike using the heavy-weight papers. Using the methods for stretching that you and I are using - paper tape - I am able to use full sheets (32 X 40 inches) without the fear of buckling. There is a need to fully soak the entire sheet of paper through and through before stretching it, and the paper tape will not hold if the edges are taped while too wet. It takes a bit of experience to get it right. I let the paper dry until all the water sheen is gone.

If that is your preference, why not simply buy watercolor board to begin with? I know of no satisfactory way to adhere 140lb or heavier watercolor paper to a backing board, but I suppose it can be done. But why? Why not learn how to stretch watercolor paper properly in the first place? It's not rocket science.

Here is a good web demo for stretching watercolor paper using paper tape. Unfortunately it does not address removing the tape from the paper after the painting is complete. Perhaps there are other articles on this same web site that address that issue.

Don't get in a sweat, Ima... the idea is to exchange experiances, preferences, what works for us and what doesn't. You keep your butcher paper, Marilyn can have her pins and I'll stick to unbound, heavy weight paper and we'll all be happy. Choices are 'good things', as Martha would say.

L.

Me sweat? NEVER. I'll even bet you're a good Leigh! All I've done is defend against those who say you'll loose the deckled edge if you glue your watercolor paper down with paper tape. Even Daniel Smith is wrong on that score, if you've ever read the FAQ on their web site. Where is Nita Leland when I need her???