Watercolor Techniques - Is There a Front and a Back to Watercolor Paper?

I get that question...a lot.  The answer is, "Yes!" But the more important question is, "Which side should I use?"

The answer to that is a bit more complex.

It's okay to use either side of the paper, but knowing that the front side (the one that shows the manufacturer's watermark) usually has more tooth or more texture will help you decide whether to use the front or the back.


Watermark shows the "front" of the paper

If you are painting a portrait or a delicate flower (and you don't have any HP (hot pressed paper), you can use the back of a CP (cold pressed paper). The back has less texture for the paint to either settle in or "skip" over, which effect might not be desirable right in the middle of someone's face.

The best way to answer the question, "Which side of the paper should I use?" is to simply experiment with it.

Enjoy painting!!! -- Shirley Mercer

Create Greeting Cards from Your Original Art

"A Perfect Day" Original watercolor 16 x 20

Use your original paintings to create digitally printed note cards, postcards and bookmarks. They are all quick-sell items or can be used as give-aways to market your name and your product. And they are a lot easier to carry with you than a big painting.

I use MS Publisher to create the card template. You can go with Photo Shop or some other high-end package, but it's not necessary unless you are editing at the pixel level. If your painting or scan is that bad, you might want to repaint or rescan.

I digitally layout two cards on a 8 1/2 x 11 page. Since all printers have a "unprintable area" all the way around, check your borders. Do a test run with whatever printer you will be using so you can make adjustments. I have them printed on 110 lb card stock and I pay a small fee to have the 8 1/2 x 11 cut into two different cards.

Add a white linen envelope, enclose in a poly bag and start marketing!

www.shirleymercerart.com





"A Perfect Day" -- 4.25 x 5.5 Note Card (Blank inside)





Scanning Your Artwork



Beauty and the Beast

By scanning your 2-D originals at a high-resolution (this one is scanned at 600 dpi), you can create a jpg that picks up the texture of the paper. Your prints and cards look more like originals!!! --Shirley

www.shirleymercerart.com

360-460-9874