LEO KAHL Watercolor Art and Watercolor Instruction
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WATERCOLOR PAPER MATTERS!

3/23/2019

15 Comments

 
During my watercolor adventures, I've utilized a number of different brands and types of watercolor paper.  The quality, sizing and texture play a huge role in the kinds of effects achievable with the watercolor medium.  I've learned to stay away from hot press papers, they may be fine for intricate, positive shape filling type art but do not allow for the time necessary for the intermingling of hues. Cold press is better but my choice is always the "rough" type texture. I love how you can deftly pull your brush across the tops of the ridges to create fragmented light effects.

The sizing ratio is also very important. Too little sizing or old paper where the sizing as dried out of the paper is also problematic. I've done class demos on old paper only to create a big blotchy mess in front of my students.

My go to paper is the Arches, rough style...I only use 140 lb. paper, I've seen little need for the 300 lb. heavy weight paper however, I can see where this might be a good choice for larger works. My pigment and water mixtures interact predictably with the gum arabic ( and other chemistry)  sizing percentages in this paper.

The following painting however, was done on a brand named, Saunders (Rough, 140#). I've discovered that this brand acts quite differently than my Arches paper. I will compare my experiences with this paper in the following set of sequential steps in my painting "Valentines Day".. Enjoy!
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Step 1: Create an accurate drawing with correct perspective. This drawing was composed, not traced from the reference photo. I intentionally emphasized grave stones in fore ground to create a stage for my star actor.
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Step 2: I look for all the underlying warm hues and light values and wash these in. The Suanders paper has a robust gelatin layer on the outer surface of paper. This allows for lots of time for your various pigment hues and water to mingle together. It feels a bit like you are out of control but thats a good thing.
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Step 3:  Middle to middle dark values.  In this next layer, I get stronger with the middle strength values. Once again, the Saunders paper wants to allow pigment and water to float around more freely. It can be frustrating but once you get the hang of it you'll see where you can achieve brilliant, subtle, co-mingling of hues. Note the facade of church and the sky.
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Step 4: Here in the finished painting, you can see where I've punched in some dark details using drybrush including the gentleman and the bouquet of roses.  If you've never tried Saunders paper, I highly recommend experimenting with it. Go for it! 
15 Comments
Stephen Sidare link
3/23/2019 09:52:10 am

Thanks for the description on Saunders. I keep seeing book writers from EU mentioning Saunders and Bockingford, but never knew what they'd be like to paint on! (PS: I dislike HP as well.)

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Leo Kahl WaterColors link
3/24/2019 11:20:35 am

Stephen, thx for the comment. You should definitely try the Saunders paper, I equate it to skating on an ice rink in flat tennis shoes! Very slippery.

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Lynda kingsley link
3/23/2019 02:55:18 pm

I tell my students to watch your work because you truly are a master of light! You use light to create a mood that touches others!

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Leo Kahl WaterColors link
3/24/2019 11:23:01 am

Lynda, that's really nice.. thank you. Its true that I do really enjoy dramatic light, but you can usually only achieve the effect by going really dark, its a relativity thing.

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Tracy Hebert link
3/24/2019 05:31:06 am

Hi Leo. I was wondering how old is too old for watercolor paper. I like to stock up. It is always kept in climate control. 68-75 deg. I love your work and steps. Thank you!

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Leo Kahl WaterColors link
3/24/2019 11:26:39 am

Tracy. that's a really good question. Its probably a humidity thing, not sure. I just know that in a few instances I've had terrible results with paper that's probably more than 4 or more years old. Stored properly, it may be OK for longer periods. I never have more than a half dozen sheets so always replenishing with fresh paper. thanks for the compliment... there is more to come!

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Tim Leahy
3/24/2019 10:20:23 am

Hi Leo - Nice post. Like one of the comments above, I too like the description of how the Saunders paper acts. The sequential steps are great for trying to follow along!

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Leo Kahl WaterColors link
3/24/2019 11:28:00 am

Tim, Order a few sheets from Blicks. I think you'll have fun experiencing the difference

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Yvonne
3/28/2019 01:23:36 pm

So nice to see a description and test of paper by a master watercolorist, so that I know whether to try it, or save my money. I've also tried a variety of papers, and have found that though they may have a different feel, some of them give such nice effects that I have never been a diehard Arches fan. Thanks Leo for posting the information with such a striking painting.

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Ann Stafford
9/29/2020 05:21:11 am

I am new to your work. It is enchanting. I was in the virtual class Saturday at OCAL. Really enjoyed it. I purchased your book for my kindle and have started perusing it. /very enjoyable. Now I am in your website and reading your blog. Love your work.
Thank you very much for sharing the process.
Ann

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Carol staines
12/18/2020 07:57:15 am

Love seeing your work, Leo. A couple of them really tug at my heartstrings....Valentine's Day and one you did of your son when he got his "wings" as a commercial pilot.
My resolution for 2021, is to develop my watercolour ability to produce some scenes instead of flowers. I admit that I will be using your work as references. At the moment, oil painting seems to be dominating my time but watercolour is my first love...and, I always use Saunders Waterford NOT paper.

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    Leo Kahl  Watercolor Artist, Watercolour Instructor, Dad, GrandDad, Husband, ex Baseball Player
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