To make your own watercolor ground, simply mix bicarbonate of soda into acrylic gesso.
Here's a breakdown of the process:
What You'll Need:
- Acrylic Gesso
- Bicarbonate of Soda (also known as baking soda or bread soda)
- Mixing Container
- Mixing Utensil (e.g., palette knife, spoon)
Instructions:
- Gather Your Materials: Ensure you have all the necessary materials readily available.
- Mix the Ingredients: Add 3 to 4 teaspoons of bicarbonate of soda to your acrylic gesso. The exact amount may vary depending on the consistency you desire. Start with less and add more gradually until you achieve the desired texture.
- Combine Thoroughly: Mix the bicarbonate of soda and gesso thoroughly until a smooth, consistent paste is formed. Ensure there are no lumps of bicarbonate of soda remaining.
- Apply to Surface: Apply the mixture to the surface you intend to paint on using watercolor. This could be paper, canvas, or any other suitable surface.
- Allow to Dry: Let the watercolor ground dry completely before painting on it with watercolors. This may take several hours, depending on the thickness of the application and the ambient humidity.
Tips and Considerations:
- Texture: Experiment with the ratio of bicarbonate of soda to gesso to achieve different textures. More bicarbonate of soda will result in a rougher texture, while less will result in a smoother surface.
- Application: Apply the watercolor ground in thin, even layers for best results. Multiple thin layers are preferable to one thick layer.
- Surface Preparation: Ensure your surface is clean and free of any oils or dust before applying the watercolor ground.
- Testing: It's always a good idea to test the watercolor ground on a small, inconspicuous area before applying it to the entire surface.
- Gesso Type: While acrylic gesso is commonly used, different types of gesso might yield slightly different results. Consider experimenting.
By following these simple steps, you can easily create your own watercolor ground, opening up a wider range of surfaces suitable for watercolor painting.
