i'd like to paint a little while in the philippines, but im not sure if my watercolors will make it through the drying process... should i pack up my paints or leave them at home?
2007-08-19 23:15:52 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Arts & Humanities ➔ Visual Arts ➔ Painting
I wish I'd asked this question before I went on holiday to a damp environment... because I was frustrated with my watercolours beyond belief. It just took FOREVER for glazes to dry and I never did get a chance to put a second layer down before the light changed. Everything I did had to be "cloisonne" style, and that's not how I paint...
Next time I went, I took drawing materials and acrylics - with much happier results!
I've heard that you can add alcohol to your water and it will evaporate faster... never tried it though.
2007-08-20 07:17:39 · answer #1 · answered by joyfulpaints 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They will survive, but they won't be happy. :D
The watercolors will dry, it will just take longer. You should avoid working VERY wet if you need to change locations frequently. If your paper stays damp for days, your biggest problem will be mold. Just like clothing.
But, just like clothing, it will dry if it's out in the air long enough.
And the paintings will get rid of any remaining excess moisture by evaporation, as soon as they're back in a drier environment.
If you're talking about the paints themselves, same thing applies. I would take tube colors, and put them out on the pallette sparingly, because I would then rinse off whatever I had left over at the end of the session. Therefore no mess. If you leave them out on the palette, they'll do what they do under less humid conditions (form a dry "skin" on the outside), but more slowly.
If mold forms on the paint overnight, discard that paint.
2007-08-20 07:09:35 · answer #2 · answered by helene 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Absolutely take your paints along on your travels! Watercolors will dry and watercolor paper will work out fine. Always make sure to staple or tape down the paper on a stiff support board. It will pull flat, or 'stretch', as it dries.
When the paintings are done, make sure to store them in a stiff folder of some sort.
I would recommend that you have a small sketchbook for watercolor studies. It should be a heavier 'bristol' paper with a 'vellum' surface. There are also sketchbooks specifically made with watercolor paper.
For convenience, you may also want to bring along a 'watercolor block' of paper about 11" x 14", or 16" x 20". When a painting/sketch is finished, you will remove that top sheet of paper from the block by pulling/cutting it from the edges.
For the larger paintings, purchase a few sheets 22" x 30" 140lb. (or heavier 300lb.) "Arches (brand) cold press" (surface) paper. It can also be cut down to two or four pieces for small works, if you prefer. Remember, in order to make sure that the painting won't be 'buckled', always make sure to secure the paper down on a hard board, along the perimeter, using staples or tape, and wait until it is totally dry before removing the painting. Do not miss this experience to record all the wonderful images you will see!
2007-08-20 07:01:33 · answer #3 · answered by The Mama 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Unfortunately no. Leave them home.
2007-08-20 09:06:40 · answer #4 · answered by luckford2004 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well, dont take ur best colors cuz they might dry . take an old set of colors.
2007-08-20 06:28:08 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋