What to use on water color paintings on ordinary drawing paper?

Question

I like painting in water color since it is better of than me doing oil painting etc.

But my problem is, what should I use to restore it so the color will last and I can hang it for display for many years to come.

owh...restore -> preserve... okay... he he... geee thanks guys...

Answer 1

You don't ever put anything over a watercolor. You particularly don't put anything over a watercolor if it's something you're proud of, and want to display for years. Spray fixatives and varnishes will ALL yellow over time and they will eventually be very, very visible on your watercolor. And they won't protect a watercolor from the things that will damage it---water, fire, and direct sunlight.

The type of paper you used doesn't really matter, except that non-acid-free papers are going to yellow or darken over time (and also that it's hard to get good results with watercolor on regular paper, so good for you if you found a way to overcome that!). Again, nothing you spray or brush over a paper will change the composition or nature of that paper. I would just recommend buying acid-free paper from now on, if you aren't doing that already.

The best protection for watercolors is to keep them in a portfolio or in a frame, matted, behind glass. You can spring for the pricier UV glass, if you want, but I usually just make sure not to hang a watercolor in direct sunlight.

---Almost forgot something. If by "restore", you meant "restore it to the color intensity it had when it was wet", that ain't gonna happen. Watercolors always dry lighter, sometimes a lot lighter if you used a lot of water. Try using less water and more paint. Aim for about 10-20%
more color saturation than you actually want in the finished piece.

Answer 2

I agree with the last answer but for a beginner it isn't necessary to spend $100's for a Kolinsky sable brush. I use Cheap Joe's Golden Fleece brushes with good results, they are a mix of sable and synthetics and retain water and their shape very well over a long period of time. Robert Simmon's brushes are also good. I also use Arches 140# cold presses paper for my students, some wet it and stretch it by stapling it to a board before painting to keep it from wrinkling when wet. It is about 1/2 the cost of 300# paper and good for beginners as you can correct mistakes by scrubbing out most paints except staining colors.

Answer 3

the 1st question what paper ! a slightly thicker paper than sketch pads , but dont apply to much water as the paper will curl up . best method l have found is to tape each side of your paper to a board using masking to tape it to the board.paint up to the tape an it leaves a boarder around your painting.another thing to watch is working in the same area for long periods , it softens the paper an the surface starts to come away leaving a porous patch. 2ND question you wont need to restore but preserve your painting . keeping them out of sunlight . but you could try the spray used for sketching it holds the carbon firm . l hope this helps you a little .
Roy l captain

Answer 4

keep it away from a window where it can be damaged by sun-bleaching and ensure there is glass in the frame to protect the main painting. Unsure re: restoration as I am no artict - my drawings are laughed at by 5 yr olds!!

Answer 5

Keep it away from strong light. Some watercolours are not bad for standing up to light but others fade very quickly. Only solution is keep them away from strong light.

One thing you will have to be careful of when using ordinary drawing paper is "cockling" (where the paper forms wrinkles when wet) so you may have to stretch it.

Answer 6

If wanting to keep as is ,put behind glass and out of direct sunlight ....and if needing restoration seek help of expert ... ...

Answer 7

Nothing. Put it behind glass and that's all.

Answer 8

You've asked the wrong person! I don't have a clue!