How to Draw Your Design on Watercolor Paper Before Stretching It

Doing a sketch before-hand lets you work out the details of your design.

Stretching watercolor paper is a process where the paper is the paper is wetted and attached to a frame. This process keeps the paper from buckling when the watercolor is being applied to the paper. If you would like to add a design to the watercolor paper before the process, you will need to use a medium that is waterproof so that it doesn't run or streak.

Things You'll Need

• Sketch paper
• Pencil
• Light box
• Waterproof ink
• Refillable pen

Instructions

1. Sketch your idea on a regular piece of paper. Since this ink is permanent, you want to work out your idea before you put it on your watercolor paper.

2. Place the sketch on top of your light box.

3. Place the watercolor paper on top of the sketch. The light from the light box will shine through the two layers of paper so that you can see the sketch on the watercolor paper.

4. Fill your pen with ink according to the manufacturer's instructions.

5. Trace the lines from the sketch onto the watercolor paper.

Tips & Warnings

• Let the ink dry before painting on the watercolor paper or the ink may smudge.

References

• Watercolor A to Z; Grant Fuller; 2008

Resources

• The Complete Watercolor Techniques Book; David Norman; 2002