How to Mount Watercolor on a Wood Panel: Cheap Alternative Framing Method for Watercolor Paintings
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 2 ต.ค. 2024
- I love the contemporary look achieved by mounting a watercolour painting on a wood panel, and waxing it for a finish that maintains the integrity and beauty of the paper. Here I share my technique for mounting my paintings on wood.
Supplies Needed: (When you purchase using these links, I get a small commission. Thank you!)
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
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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Love this method, framing is so expensive and reflects in the price that you have to charge. Brilliant solution, thanks.
Thanks for much for this. It inspired me to have a go and since I’ve begun doing this in the last Month, I find people
Love the paintings on the cradled boards and these are selling like hot cakes. Theylook more contemporary than under glass and buyers don’t have to frame themselves with that extra cost. Buyers are willing to pay the extra for a mounted painting and the board mounting cost is less than professionally framing under glass. And bonus- I can do it at home. Win win!
A question for you - Do you feel that the acrylic medium that you are using to adhere the painting to the panel seals the wood and protects your painting from acid leaching through the wood to your watercolor paper? I watched another video where the artist sealed the panel first with a polyurethane before using the acrylic medium. Your thoughts?
An answer to this question would be fab 😀
perfect timing! I just bought a small jar or Dorlands per another TH-cam's recommendation. I can't wait to try it! actually I wanted to ask how you did yours but I did not want to put you on the spot lol:) thanks again!
This is a gem! I've been wanting to mount my watercolor project and this helped a lot. Thank you Angela!
Thanks for this awesome tip!.
I tried a scrap piece of watercolour paper and I did a mixed media to see if my pan pastels would work as well. So I dried my watercolour and then added pan pastels over top, to see if it would work with the pastels as well. I then sprayed about 3 or 4 light coats of Krylon UV-Resistant Matte spray which is a clear acrylic coating. I then tried the wonderful wax you suggested and I am so happy with the results! From this I am getting my old pan pastel paintings out and mounting them instead of paying big bucks for putting them behind glass. Super! Keeps cost down and looks awesome.
Thank you so much Angela. This is a a beautiful alternative to traditional glass framing, and your instructions are so clear and easy to understand. I really enjoy your watercolour tutorials also, so encouraging.
Ok, don’t want to be a David downer but I worry about fading. Without the protective UV layer of good art glass or acrylic, I think the art could fade faster if near sunlight.
Edit: Krylon Gallery series Archival varnish has UV protection.
Hey Angela, my biggest challenge is the wood panels, where do you get them from and how do you get them the right size? I’ve got 100 watercolour mandalas to mount and this is the trickiest part for me! Thank you :)
I did a Google search for cradled birch panels, and found a great variety available online - in has a variety of sizes!
Thanks again Angela...for posting this...did not know that the varnish was a real necessity...since it is highly toxic, and needs to be applied out of doors. ...seems like just the wax and the heavy bodied gel medium may do the trick...Janis
Angela Fehr New York Central Professional Watercolor Panels is selling already mounted watercolor paper panels before painting www.jerrysartarama.com/ny-central-watercolor-pro-panels. How do you think they might be accomplishing this without having the adhesive bleeding through? Maybe spraying the back of the paper with a Kamar-type sealant before mounting with a gel?
I've used wax on floors, cars, furniture...it often yellows over time and you have to remove and re-apply...is this true with this?
Now that several years have gone by ar3 you seeing any yellowing Angela?
Cool! Thanks Angela. I learned something new. Gonna try this.
The Mind of Watercolor coool to see you here steve
Hey Mind of Watercolor. Love your channel! Did you try this? How did it go?
Thank you for sharing your skills and inspiring experience I will definitely try it .
how would you do something like this to preserve the rough edges of the paper? I love the rag edges of the paper,,, love your vids!
Hi Angela thank you so much for showing us this method. I would certainly like to try it as I am always sad about my paintings being partly invisible because of the light reflection in the glass. I was wondering if I could use something else instead of Golden Extra Gel such as Mod Podge for example?
Great video,
I am wondering if the wax attract dust over time? Thanks again for a great video.
Thanks so much for this video. I learned about a new product (wax one). This technique works for other mediums too. As long as the painting is sealed with the Krylon spray, it seems to work pretty well. Plus a nice Giclee' print of the original painting can be mounted like this for a cool different look. The cradled birch panels are so nice!
thanks Angela...very helpful. I've used Dorlands on my watercolors in the past (a little onto an original that I'm mounting on a greeting card and it works well on Yupo paper and the like as well. I appreciate all your videos All the best to you
This demo is hellpful, straight-forward and wonderful, Angela. I am doing my first such panel this next week, and you've further inspired me! ~Be well~
What a great alternative to traditional matte & framing. I've been doing a series of small ink & wash and this would be an excellent way to show my work.
I've used Dorlands on several watercolors paintings now, and use it directly on the painting without varnish. The color doesn't budge. Varnish is an unnecessary step.
I really like this method. I do have to ask though if it increases or lessens the value of a watercolour painting? Also, it should be noted, if you really like the painting, you may want to make sure you have a digital copy for possible future prints before you mount it.
Holy Cow! This is a gorgeous alternative to framing behind glass. Watercolors displayed behind glass creates glare and it is difficult to see the painting as a whole. Thank you so, so much for this tutorial! I have an exhibition coming up and have been dragging my feet to frame them. I've been hoping to find a way to frame or display them without glass. I've even been considering just pinning them to the wall! Thanks again!!!
What is the name of that board? What should i search for in amazon?
That was the first question I had also. Her husband may have cut it out for her...perhaps Michaels might have something? That's where I'm going to look....or Hobby Lobby?
They sell them at Jerry's Artarama or Dick Blicks online. Also Amazon carries them. It's called a cradled birch panel.
This is super fun; I love the look of unframed canvases as well and this allows us watercolorists to get that look! I scrolled through most of the recent comments which answered a couple of questions I had on the panel, but here's one I didn't see: How big of a size differential would you recommend for the panel vs. the painting? It's nice that the panels are smaller because often our sizes for paintings are different than the standard panel sizes, but, for example, would a 9x12 panel work for a 10x14 or 11x15 quarter sheet painting, 14x18 for 15x22 half sheet etc? Thanks!
Good to know! Blick actually sells a raw wood panel that measures exactly 14 1/2" x 21 1/2" which is perfect for 15 x 22" half sheet size paintings which is one of the sizes I'd like to use this technique for because I think I''d like the look better than a frame for that size of a painting; for other sizes I'll plan to either cut a custom panel or have a slightly larger margin in the size. Not trying to get you to the work for me, but, for example, if you did a quarter sheet 11 x 15" piece and wanted to use a pre-cut panel, what size would you choose if you couldn't get 10 1/2" x 14 1/2"? Also, would you recommend to definitely use a wet, brush-on adhesive such as the gel medium over a spray adhesive? Just curious and thanks again for all you help! See you for tomorrow's live!
Have you found that you can clean the dust off of the finished artwork through the years? Wax seems soft, I live in Louisiana, and it HOT here for much of the year. Would the wax always be soft and collect dust?
I love the look of this mounting. What does the wax do other than add a shine? is it enough with varnish, or is it necessary with wax too?
Angela. I just finished my first attempt with this process with an 8 x 10 inch panel and am very happy with the results. I have wanted to do this for ages and your instructions were very clear and easy to follow. Can’t wait to try it on a larger piece. This will definitely keep my framing costs down. Thanks so much for generously sharing your knowledge.
Thanks for this video Angela. What a great idea to change up your paintings for a very nice look. Thanks
Is this way of mounting the painting archival?
Beautiful! Do you have a lesson on painting that tree? Also, do you have a link for purchasing the wood panel? Thank you!
I saw this technique elsewhere and because I find it so bothersome I want to comment here as well.
If you are not a professional doing art for sale I think this method could work for you because it is an inexpensive why to hang a print.
Be aware that you are damaging the watercolor in a way that it cannot come back from. Time will tell how long the top coat finish is.
I guess I am old school -- I have done professional framing and the reasons in a frame shop to put glass on a watercolor is to protect it -- watercolors are not as durable as oil on canvas paintings.
Usually when framing it is done with the mantra of do no harm and mounting, trimming and framing without glass is having a direct impact on the art.
It would be an inexpensive way to mount and hang a print - but original artwork should go behind glass if you see any value to the art.
I disagree with your assessment. Encaustic painting has been around since 5th century. Greeks used it for funerary paintings and had many other uses for the wax/resin combination. Their funerary paintings have lasted better than oil painting which crack over time. www.andrewcsafordi.com/history.html This link will explain more.
The wax she is using to cover the painting after adhering it to the panel is archival because of the wax/resin combo. The biggest long term concern I would have the the gel used to adhere the paper to the panel, not the wax. The wax will seal the painting making it waterproof and it won't yellow over time. If the gel is archival then there is an answer and only time will tell if the paper will lift from the panel. That probably won't happen any time soon, if ever. (It makes me wonder if rabbit skin glue would have more longevity.)
Many, many fine artists use Dorland's to seal their paintings. For any of us wanting to sell our art I would suggest finding one of the watercolor artists who use cold wax to seal their paintings and ask about longevity and their experiences with it.
All that said, as artists (fine or hobby) we are always looking for ways to create and display our art. I am grateful for this tutorial because it gives me an alternative to framing with glass. I feel the glare from glass detracts from the beauty of watercolor. That is my personal opinion though. Do some research and decide for yourself what is best for you and your artwork, whether you are selling it or not.
@@LoraCreates I agree. I prefer the look of watercolor paintings that are not "trapped" behind glass.
This is especially useful for paintings that would be exposed to moisture such as in the kitchen or bathroom. Good presentation, thank you.
Cool idea l definite want try this. Thank you for sharing
Thanks so much for sharing!!! So much easier than matting and framing for a nice gift! Can't wait to try it!!!
Just bought some cradled boards by DaVinci on Jerry's website. Crazy sale prices right now on these.
Quick question... My extra heavy gel medium is drying so quickly I can barely move my painting around on the board... Can you thin out the medium with water? Also, for galley showing would you still need to add a wire?
Thank you so much for this, I was in a store this weekend and saw this application and wanted to use it on my own artwork. Question: Is this archival? Is there any concerns about the artwork changing colors or fading? Also, is this lightfast with this technique?
What a great description, so easy to follow. Going back to the traditional method of displaying watercolours as used by Samuel Palmer in the early 19th century. Thank you for sharing this method.
Sorry for my endless questions, living in Denmark limits what materials I can buy lol. Regarding the wax you use, will any pure beeswax do the job?
Ulla Zita Binder I don’t know. Curious too. Be careful with white beeswax. It can be made white by using bleach...you don’t want that on your painting. Jackson’s art (UK) sells Dortland wax medium & they ship internationally with not to expensive shipping costs. I tried rubbing with a white candle. Does the trick also. If it damages the paper due to chemicals...I don’t know, but it looks nice...:)
Thank you so much! This is fantastic. Do you know if this protects against UV?
Angela, this is a wonderful tutorial. I love the look of the bare panel as opposed to framing and wondered how to do it. Thank you so much!
Nice. Thanks Angela. Mounting on a panel and then putting in a float frame would be pretty cool too I think.
Yes, it has a great look!
@@angelfehr Oops! That should have been "Float frame" not "Float free." Edited and corrected :)
Great idea! I've done varnish on watercolor murals, but I've never tried wax. Thanks for the inspiration and great tutorial!
Hi Angela, I've been searching for tutorials on this because the last time I tried this I got a bubble on a larger panel. Any tips on flattening larger pieces first or avoiding bubbles on a 24 x 24 panel? Thank you so much!!
Angela, I actually scored my paintings on the backside to the size of my panels. After that I placed on the panel and creased the edges. Then I cut a slit on the diagonal from the edge of the folds. So when I was ready to mount to the panel after applying the medium and brayering, it was very easy to line up. This ensures the painting is straight. :-)
Do you then have paper (or part of your painting) covering the edges of your panels? Sort of like a wrapped canvas?
Could you please tell me where to purchase the wood panels? Thank you.
@@angelfehr Thank you so much, Angela! Virginia
Thanks Angela. I've seen this done without the varnish too. I tried it both ways. Without the varnish first I did see a slight shift in color to lighter. So a couple light coats of the varnish did keep the colors true. Thanks again Angela.
Thanks...what about large format, say 24 x 24...wouldn't it be hard to keep the panel moist with the gel?
this is excellent thank you. such a great alternative to expensive framing. Although, without more information, I'd probably only want this done on... medium quality artwork. Stuff that is good enough to hang but not necessarily needing to keep it in great shape for a hundred years or more. For high priced artwork or "show worthy" stuff, I'm afraid this method might prematurely damage the piece -- is that possible? Does anybody know? What do the professional artists think?
Interesting that you ask. I've canvassed 3 of my professional artists friends - and none of them personally use this approach. All were aware of it, all knew that some people like it, some had tried in the past - all opt for untreated and framing behind glass. One remarked that it never stopped feeling sticky (used over acrylic) and attracted dust. Personally, I just ordered a tub of the wax medium - got it yesterday - and am going to experiment.
Could this same effect be achieved by using a stretched canvas to mount your watercolor instead of a wood panel?
Great idea! Will the wax yellow over time? Isn't the Krylon enough to keep it?
HI. Can't wait to try this. Now that two yrs have gone by does it still seem to not yellow?
Angela, Could I use Liquitex ultra matte gel medium for this process. It says it is a heavy body, semi-opaque gel and is permanent and non-yellowing. Thank you
Thank you for sharing this Angela! In reading the supply list, neither the Krylon Kamar Varnish or Dorland Wax list that they provide protection from UV damage in their description. This is one of the reasons I frame most of my paints with UV glass. Have you found fading in your paintings mounted this way being an issue? Do you use a UV protection spray on your finished paintings before this process? I love the look of this mounting technique!
Sheryl Brower Krylon does make a ‘UV-Resistant Gloss’ spray. I don’t find it very shiny if applied thinly. Perhaps they have a matte also.
I've been searching for a new way to mount my watercolor!
For the Golden Gel Medium Heavy Gel (Gloss) the link bring me to quite a long list and I can't see to find that exact wording on any of the products listed, could you please advise...thank you!
Golden Heavy Acrylic Gel Medium - Gloss,
Hey Angela, thank you for the wonderful idea. Though does the wax make is waterproof or water resistant?
Great video. What type of paint would you recommend for painting the sides if desired and related to that...I’m assuming you would do that before the waxing of the painting and so then would you apply wax over the painted sides or is that just for when leaving the frame natural? Thanks so much Angela. Appreciate your assistance.
Thanks Angela. I like the natural look as well, but I’ve been using the gessoed Ampersand panels which are excellent but the top part of the panel has a dark core on top of the rest of the natural frame and I was thinking that wouldn’t look so good just left as is...
Sorry my question is incomplete. I have a new painting with birches and wonder about staining the wood panel sides.
Thank you for sharing. I live in a humid environment. Do you fee this method would last and the paper not lift? Thanks
What is the roller called?
It's a brayer, used in printmaking.
Where can I buy wood panels please Angela.
Do you really need the varnish? Dorian's wax has a bit of varnish in it.
Angela where do you get your wood panels? I love this idea but have no idea where to get panels. I live in a rural part of America.
Angela Fehr Thanks!
Does anyone know how Angela flattens her paintings? She does not seem to respond to questions in these comments.
thank you very much I've been wanting to know how to do this
How do you tell your clients to care for the waxed paintings?
Thankyou Angela! I think this method of sealing and mounting is a wonderful alternative to the traditional glass and framing. And, so much less weight to carry!
Thanks Angela. I am María from Chile. Where or how do I get the wood panel? Are they made under an specific order? or you get them already made. Thanks again
Hola María.
Mi inglés es pobre en vocabulario.
Podrías traducir los materiales para mi.
Muchas gracias!
Golden only lists the gels as ‘Gel Acrylic’ these days. Is it the same thing?
Thank you so much for teaching us this technique. I was racking my brain for a way to “frame” 3 small watercolor sketches as a gift to a friend. This was the answer and she loved them!
I've heard of complaints that the wood can contaminate the watercolor because of its acids. A layer or 2 of clear or white gesso over the wood should help keep any of that from ever getting go the watercolor paper over the years.
I'm wondering if the heavy gel medium serves the same purpose of a protective barrier (between the wood and the back of the painting) that gesso would provide.
I see my question has been asked, but there are no responses. Do you respond, or should l go elsewhere?
Where did you get that cool "exacto" knife?
Is there a link for the wood panel? Thank you.
What type if wood panel and where to purchase?
Thanks so much. I love this look; will try it soon.
Hi - did I miss something? How did the board get the wooden framing on the back? thanks!
www.dickblick.com/products/blick-studio-wood-panels/
This could be my answer! I work with large scale drawings. 40 x 60. The wax finish is brilliant. Do you think the 40 x 60 is possible to glue to a board without bubbles? Thank you so much. Carole
Hi Angela! Have you tried using a spray glue rather than Gel Medium?
EXACTLY the information I needed! I saw your name in my options for tutorials, and knew this would be the one! Thank you for being here for us, always!
Thank you so much. I have used comun paper glue to stick a watercolor painting on a MDF panel and it glued on very well. I did not not know about de wax! I will try!! Thanks!!
@angelafehr Would you please comment in the "wood panel" you use in your wonderful demo? What kind of wood is it and where can one buy such a thing. I'm VERY keen to try this with some of my paintings, for sale, as an attractive and economic alternative to mat, glad and frame. Thanks and Spring is in the air here. :)
Looks amazing Angela! Thanks for sharing your method.😊🖐🏼
Thank You so very much Angie,waxing over framing and glass I love the look and so much of a money saver along with time spent, an absolute Game changer for my paintings.
Hi..will wax delivered in india.? From the u shared..please reply..i will wait..! Thanks 😊
Thank you. I just do not understand why the wax is necessary if you have already applied 2 coats of the Krylon. What is the purpose, please?
Where does one find wood panels? It seems like making one or finding the correct sizes would be far more trouble than, say, painting in a standard size and finding inexpensive ready-made mats and frames, and more expensive. Thanks.
Hi fantastic 😊 ...I learnt recently that grease is on our fingertips and palms and if you ever need to brush off any dust on a piece of work you should either use the knuckles ie on back of hand as there is usually little to no grease..so when you press down your piece of work onto the board IMHO you should try using a barrier between your beautiful piece of work and the grease on your hands(which we all have btw) maybe put a lint free cloth or even a piece of paper between hands and surface when pressing.
I'm back again Angela. I had great luck with my first painting. I painted the wood panel white and it looks great. Now I'm wondering about how to treat the wood without painting it. Would staining it work OK?
Is it ok to mount the paper on the panel before you paint? I have painting on Aquaboard and love it but it is different than w/c paper.
I haven't tried this. It could work but you would need to be very careful not to get any of the adhesive on the front of the paper. To me it makes more sense to mount a painting after you've finished it and know you want to display it.
Angela, do you know if this process works well for the inexpensive round "wood cookies" - I bought some very inexpensive one's at walmart but am looking into attaching watercolor painting (they are painted on arches) To this. Will the gel medium seal the wood, since it is perhaps not as good quality as the wood you are using for this painting? Or do I need to add in an extra step. I am planning to use your links as soon as I figure out what I need.
This is amazing, Angela! Thank you SO much for sharing this tutorial. I can't wait to try this on my own paintings.
Is there any way to fix air bubbles between the watercolor paper (140#) and the wood panel? I must have missed some spots and did not have/use a breyer.
Krylon Kamar Varnish Spray - where did you get it? If you got it at Blick is there a tax border crossing
Thank you, Angela! I have watched your video several times while I learn how to do this for my work in cyanotype. Very cool results!
Is the Kamar Varnish a Clear or Matte finish? I went to the link, but it doesn't specify. Thanks.
Love this method! Thanks so much for sharing. I have done this a few times now, and love the finished product . What do you use for lint free cloths?
This video was extremely helpful! I love the look.
Can you please tell me where you found your brayer? I can only find smooth ones. Thank you
I wonder if this method would work with watercolor on Yupo paper? Also, did you spray both sides of the work before glueing it down?
Thank you for the excellent demo and info.
Will this technique work on colored pencil drawings assuming they are fixed with varnish?
Thank you
i wish there was a way to search comments because I'm sure this has been answered. Does this wax UV protect? Or does the combination of the Kamar and wax UV protect?