The provided reference outlines a specific two-step test procedure relevant to using watercolor on paper, particularly for evaluating how the paper handles paint lifting. While regular paper is not ideal for watercolor due to issues like buckling and poor absorbency, understanding its behavior is key.
Evaluating Paper Reaction to Watercolor
When considering using regular paper for watercolor, understanding its interaction with water and pigment is crucial. Regular papers often don't have the sizing needed to prevent watercolor from soaking through or making the paper unstable. The test described in the reference provides insight into one specific behavior: how easily pigment can be lifted from the paper's surface after application.
The Lifting Test Procedure
The reference details a simple, two-step process to test the paper's reaction:
- With a paint-damp brush, paint a single stroke (or small area). Apply a swatch of watercolor onto the regular paper surface. This step introduces water and pigment to the paper fibres.
- With a clean paper towel or tissue, press down on the top of the freshly painted area and lift straight up. Immediately after painting, use an absorbent material to press onto the wet paint. Lifting the material shows how much pigment is removed or "lifted" from the paper.
This procedure helps artists observe how the paper receives and releases watercolor pigment. Paper designed for watercolor typically allows for some lifting or manipulating of the paint while wet, whereas regular paper might absorb pigment quickly, making lifting difficult, or the fibres might break down. Performing this test on regular paper helps set expectations for how the paper will handle watercolor techniques involving lifting or corrections.
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