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I want to try making some watercolor backgrounds and see in videos that you need to tape watercolor paper down to prevent it from buckling.
I'm looking for suggestions for what to tape WC paper to. Perhaps something I already have around the house or inexpensive to buy.
Also what is your favorite tape? I have seen blue painter's tape used, which I have, but don't find it always to be perfectly removable from cardstock.
I use the yellow frog tape. It peels up much easier in my opinion. It says delicate surface on it. It costs a little more but I found it to be the best so far and I've tried many kinds. Just make sure its real Frog tape and not a yellow generic. As for watercolor paper, everyone likes different kinds. I use Canson XL 140 lb from Walmart. Its less than $6 per 30 sheet 9x 12 pad and I also use Strathmore Mixed Media vellum surface 140 lb . its a smooth surface but costs a little more. I got a 15 sheet pad on sale at ACMoore for $5.88 but I think it normally runs about $10.
And I only tape it down when I'm wetting the whole piece I'm working on. You shouldn't need to tape it down if you are only coloring a small area.
I bought a flat board at the thrift store for 75 cents. You can tape it to almost anything but I prefer something a little heavy so it stays in place. I see many use a chopping block/cutting board.
As muscrat says, an old chopping board, or an inexpensive one, is ideal.Or maybe your Hubby has a piece of plyboard/marine ply type of timber somewhere?
I have a couple of hardboard panels - one is desk size and one is easel size (though I've had my easel a year and never used it... this NEEDS to happen this year!!). They're nice and sturdy, water resistant, and meant to take some abuse. They're pretty inexpensive too.
I don't generally tape paper down unless getting a lot of it really wet, but when I do, I tape it to my 9x12" (?) self-healing mat, small enough to move out of the way if I need to.
Like others have already said if you are just coloring in a stamped image then you don't need to tape it down. If you are wanting to create full scale watercolor artwork where lots of water is involved then you would need to wet the paper and tape it down.
You can make/use a disposable one by covering a piece of heavy duty cardboard with contact paper. I've seen this idea used by several people in videos online. You have to be careful not to bend the cardboard and ruin the project that is taped to it but it is perfect for someone who wants to "try" watercoloring without having to shell out the $$$ for a board yet. It is also a light weight option for watercoloring on the go.
I use the blue frog tape on my watercolor papers. Either lightly press it or put the tape on your jeans or skin and remove it a couple times. It will make it a little less sticky and then when you run out of the blue you can get the yellow tape.
Question for Watercolorists
