I love the no-stress approach to this. I’ve been too intimidated to try stretching my paper because there are so many tutorials out there that seem so fiddly or easy to get wrong! Just purchased some gator board and I’m about to give it a whirl!! Thank you for this vid!
@charles-sluga
2 жыл бұрын
Hi Georgia, that's great. I am sure that gator board will work for you. I love the stuff. Good luck and shoot me a message if you have any problems stretching the paper, but hopefully the video has covered everything. Thanks for watching. Cheers. Charles
@georgiabaddeley6606
2 жыл бұрын
@@charles-sluga thank you so much! You’re a legend. It seems to have worked perfectly 🙌
@charles-sluga
2 жыл бұрын
@@georgiabaddeley6606 I do what I can🤣. So glad it worked for you. Yay.
@1msfit
2 жыл бұрын
This really is the best way to do it. I find just looking at the ugly brown tape very depressing. My hubby was afraid I might cut a finger on the edge of the board after I cut it in half and gave me some of his aluminized tape to wrap the edges. Also, to remove the staples I use a Stanley Bostitch remover-just slide it under the staple and it pops right out. Plus, one side of it is magnetized and will hold the staples so they don’t get strewn all over the place. I was happy to learn that I could just brush the water on the paper as I have been soaking it in a pan. Thank you for the info!
@charles-sluga
2 жыл бұрын
My pleasure Jodi. I like the idea of using a Stanley Bostitch remover - anything that keeps those staples from escaping when pulled out is a good thing😁
@EuphemiaGrubb
4 жыл бұрын
You had me at the 'Duck'. Subscribed!
@charles-sluga
4 жыл бұрын
I knew my duck Matilda would help me get subscribers😁 Thanks for subscribing.
@brianmatthews8569
7 ай бұрын
Had me as well!
@romeysiamese6662
10 ай бұрын
Thank you, this WAS straightforward, easy and I was able to do with confidence. Thank you
@charles-sluga
10 ай бұрын
Thanks for watching and thanks for the comment. I'm glad you liked it.
@frenchgrama
4 жыл бұрын
OMG!!! I’ve stapled my watercolour paper to a wooden board before only once before - I had to cut my watercolour paper from the board and then remove the staples from the board - NEVER AGAIN - it was soooooo painful, time wasting and deflating to have to go through soooo much when all I want to do is paint... And so, seeing you just lift the paper from the gator board was a game changer, thanks sooo much - I looove your work and have accidentally found you on KZitem and subscribed immediately...
@charles-sluga
4 жыл бұрын
😁 I'm so glad that you no longer need to suffer by trying to get staples or of a wooden board. I'm glad you have discovered my channel and that you are enjoying it. Thanks for subscribing Magdalena
@lisavento7474
11 ай бұрын
I had a large illustration composition of game characters that saw my daughter through dark times medically so I blocked it all out to do watercolor washes in the background surrounding it before I illustrated the interior. Large massive blockouts are hard to do with liquid frisket. Film works best but burnishing the edges helps. I had older frisket but the tac had worn and wasn't very sticky. You looked like yours had large swisher of it on some plants so I would have liked to see how you did that but I'm gonna check out other videos of yours as I'm sure you show that.
@karbent8965
Жыл бұрын
Thanks for this video. Is there any place we can get gator board in australia? I’m over in Bendigo.
@charles-sluga
Жыл бұрын
Thanks for watching. Seniors art supplies in Melbourne, The Art Scene in Sydney and Border Art Supplies in Wodonga. There are probably many other places. A Google search will help you out. I don't know the art shops in Bendigo, even though I did live there once upon a time😁
@tmikeporter
2 жыл бұрын
yes on Gatorboard! It is the best way. Completely agree. Of late, though, I've been not stretching. This is OK if one is not wetting the entire paper but in places as when I paint florals. But I must say that often I find myself wetting both sides and laying it on the gator board and painting away, unstapled, while it is wet. This often work. But the fool proof method is just as you have demo'd.
@charles-sluga
2 жыл бұрын
Hi Mike, Yes just wetting both sides and laying it flat on the gator board and painting while the paper is still wet also works... as long as it is still wet so it holds onto the gator board. Stapling is not a necessity, but as you say is a fool proof method Thanks for watching
@babyblue6743
2 жыл бұрын
Im in the U.K., I’m so glad I found your channel, from the other side of the world, technology is amazing, and straight from the shoulder advice, I’ve tried to stretch 2 pieces of watercolour paper and they’ve both buckled. I’ll get on to this right away, Thankyou.
@charles-sluga
2 жыл бұрын
Hi, I'm so glad you found my channel too😁 and I hope the video helps you to avoid those buckles. Good luck and thanks for watching.
@babyblue6743
2 жыл бұрын
@@charles-sluga hi, the method has worked a treat, managed to successfully stretch a piece of paper, I’ll use this technique in future.
@charles-sluga
2 жыл бұрын
@@babyblue6743 excellent I'm glad it worked for you. Happy painting.
@ericmandersloot9715
4 жыл бұрын
I don't know whether this method works or if it's just a scam to sell more Gatorfoam boards, but you should call this video 'The best kept secret in watercolor painting' either way. Almost instantly ordered me some boards through the link in the description. You have truly earned your commission, sir!
@charles-sluga
4 жыл бұрын
😂Thanks for watching Eric. I reckon if I was ever going to try and scam people I'd come up with a better idea than getting people to buy Gatorfoam board. I think you have spent your money wisely as it will work well. Note: you can always use the same method on something like 9 ply plywood, but it is so much heavier and hard to get the staples in and out. Oh, and I like the title you came up with. Cheers. Charles
@JaizeDee
3 жыл бұрын
I learned stretching on a sintra board from a local watercolor master, and this gave me an idea to stretch my papers on a corkboard instead using staples because It was on hand and wasn't ready to invest money on trying the board method. It worked for me on small works, now I discovered your channel because I needed to paint something huge. Thank you so much for sharing your process!
@charles-sluga
3 жыл бұрын
I haven't tried cork board, but imagine it would work well, although not sure if it might bend a bit too much on larger works. I hope the gator board works for you and good luck with doing larger works. Very exciting. Thanks for watching.
@willowbranch5237
2 ай бұрын
Thanks Sluga for your informative instruction. I usually soak cold pressed for 10 min but this is much easier. I will give it a try. Can I do this with hot pressed paper? I was told not to soak the painting side of hot pressed for reasons I don't know. What is your experience and expertise? Thank you.
@charles-sluga
2 ай бұрын
Hi @@willowbranch5237 , thanks for watching. If I am going to stretch paper I do this no matter what the surface. I have not found any reason not to soak the painting side of hot pressed paper. It all seems to behave for me😁. Good luck.
@JennyEverywhere
Жыл бұрын
I just got a box of Gator boards. I tried the gummed Kraft paper tape route, and it pulled loose on two sides, buckled like bad pavement in the summer. I'm going to give this method a try now!
@charles-sluga
Жыл бұрын
Hi Gwen. If the tape lifted, it is usually because the edge of the paper was too wet. Remember to wipe the edge of the paper with a tissue before applying the gummed tape. Then dry the paper from outside in with a hair dryer. Having said all that, I still think the staple method is better. Good luck.
@mostlywildlife
3 жыл бұрын
It's amazing. Even after I painting, it didn't buckle. Thanks! Just subscribed.
@charles-sluga
3 жыл бұрын
Thanks Diana. I'm really glad you liked it. I haven't posted any videos for ages, but have been working on some other projects. Will post again soon. Thanks again for watching and for subscribing.
@amfgraphics3810
3 жыл бұрын
BRILLIANT! Thank you.
@charles-sluga
3 жыл бұрын
My pleasure. I'm glad it helps. 🙂
@blsimba64
4 жыл бұрын
Hi Charles, this video is so helpful. Thank you for sharing. I'm relatively new to watercolor painting. Wet paper buckling has a big headache for me. I watched quite a lot of tips on KZitem, but most of them just showed my how to use the right tapes, or but some stretchers. Using a gatorboard is a great idea, which solved the problems like a charm! 👍
@charles-sluga
4 жыл бұрын
Thanks. I'm very glad that it has helped you out. I hope some of the other videos on my channel also help and good luck with your watercolour. It's a great medium.
@kerbear829
3 ай бұрын
Never tried gator board. Not available in my part of the world. I purchased Incredible board yesterday. Do u cut your board down to sizes of paper being used? I purchased 16x24” board. I usually paint on 9x12 paper.
@charles-sluga
3 ай бұрын
So I am guessing when you say you purchased incredible board yesterday, that you were able to get some gator board. That's great! I wouldn't cut the board down because if you leave it the bigger size, you have the option of stretching larger paper. You may usually paint 9x12 now, but who knows, in time you may want to do some bigger paintings and then the good news is you already have the board 😁. Happy painting and thanks for watching.
@sholly59
8 ай бұрын
Hello Sluga, I’ve been a watercolor painter for more than 20 years so I’m not a beginner. I stretch my Arches watercolor paper in the same way you do with staples. But suddenly I’m having a bizarre stretching problem that I haven’t been able to solve. I’m hoping you can come up with some ideas to help. Suddenly, the staples that are used to attach my paper to my gatorboard are pulling out as the paper dries. All of them are clearly being pulled out by the forces caused by the paper drying. My original thought was that my gatorboard was getting old and maybe it had too many holes in it. So, I bought a new board, but the problem persisted. Eventually I tried a different stapler, different staples, different brand paper, shorter and longer soaking times, but nothing has helped. I don’t know what’s going on. I’ve been using this method successfully for many years now. Do you have any ideas what might be causing my staples to pull out? Any help you can give would be greatly appreciated. Thank You, Gary Shollenberger
@charles-sluga
8 ай бұрын
Hi Gary, How bizarre that this is suddenly happening. I have never had this happen and I think you have pretty much tested all the variables through a process of elimination. I too thought, maybe too many staples holes in the board, or an old board, but it obviously isn't that. So I am afraid I am no help and really don't know what the solution is. It is maybe the 8th mystery of the world😁. I wish you luck in finding a solution and if you do, please let me know. Cheers. Charles
@JeanStolzenfeld
2 ай бұрын
@@charles-sluga Gary - have you tried using a longer staple - something that goes deeper into the gatorboard.
@charles-sluga
2 ай бұрын
@@JeanStolzenfeldthat may help and it's worth a try, but it is of that it suddenly started happening. Hopefully Gary has worked it out.
@ruthherring6035
6 ай бұрын
What about the staple holes? Do we assume the painting will be framed and the holes won’t show? Thank you, new subscriber here
@charles-sluga
6 ай бұрын
Hi Ruth, Yes, that is correct. The staple holes would be covered by the mat when framing. If however you decide to float mount the painting you would either have the staple holes visible or tear the paper to remove the staple holes. Thanks for subscribing.😊
@CaptainFutureman
7 ай бұрын
Gator Board isn't available where I live. Does anyone know of any similar products that might do the trick?
@charles-sluga
7 ай бұрын
Thanks for watching. I am not sure where you live, but it's there not an option to have one posted to you?. If not you could try some kind of hard board ( like a thick plywood). However, you may need to oil it first . Also, the disadvantage is that it will be heavy and very hard to put the staples in and pull out. That is the beauty of the gator board- weight and ease of use. Anyway, good luck.
@catherinevangass4927
Жыл бұрын
Thank you!!
@charles-sluga
Жыл бұрын
My pleasure.
@rogerinaustralia6242
3 жыл бұрын
What is the thickness of the gatorfoam board? 10cm? Also the size? Is there an Australian supplier instead?
@charles-sluga
3 жыл бұрын
Hi Roger, Thanks for watching .The gator board is 1cm thick. It can be purchased in quarter, half and full sheet sizes. A number of art shops in Australia have them, so you might want to check with the closest art shop to you. Seniors Art in Melbourne and The Art Scene in Sydney are two I know of that stock them.
@ErinDeCoste
4 жыл бұрын
So easy! Thank you for sharing!
@charles-sluga
4 жыл бұрын
My pleasure Erin
@VintageJoBeth
2 жыл бұрын
Duck!! 🤣 please can I ask, if we use plywood do we need to varnish the wood??? 🧐🎀
@charles-sluga
2 жыл бұрын
Yes you may ask😁 and the answer is yes, if you use plywood, you do need to varnish it. Also be aware it will be much harder to put the staples into and remove them from plywood That's why I suggest gator board...much easier. Thanks for watching and my duck says hi.
@VintageJoBeth
2 жыл бұрын
@@charles-sluga thank you!! 🦆🐥🎀💖
@adamjohnhurley
Жыл бұрын
can i use water tape on a gator board? thanks :)
@charles-sluga
Жыл бұрын
If you mean water activated tape ( which is also called gummed tape), then yes. I have another video that shows you how to get a perfect result every time with the tape. Thanks for watching.
@carlosdommar
2 жыл бұрын
That's the way I do it too!
@charles-sluga
2 жыл бұрын
Yes, it's a great way isn't it Carlos? Thanks for watching.
@carlosdommar
2 жыл бұрын
@@charles-sluga it is indeed!
@kylekeith575
2 жыл бұрын
Thank you for the video. After stretching watercolor paper is it necessary to keep it tacked down in order to work on or can the paper be worked on in loose sheets with less buckling?
@charles-sluga
2 жыл бұрын
Hi Kyle, My pleasure and thanks for watching the video. In answer to your question- it needs to be stapled down while you paint. Only remove it off the board after the painting is finished. Happy painting.
@kylekeith575
2 жыл бұрын
@@charles-sluga thank you for your reply. I appreciate and look forward to watching more of your informative videos.
@jenkhoshbin
6 ай бұрын
I tried this but when it dried it was very warped all along the edges where the staples are. Did I not soak it enough perhpas?
@charles-sluga
6 ай бұрын
Thanks for watching. There may be small indentations where the staples are pushing into the paper and where there is tension, but it shouldn't be warped. Maybe when the paper has soaked, pull the corner or a little too flatten the paper a little (doesn't have to be totally flat), and then staple. If you can send/attach a photo I will have a better idea of what's going on.
@johnmadison479
2 жыл бұрын
Charles, I've been painting for about years now and have never used Gatorboard. I normally stretch on sanded or varnished plywood and use a heavy duty staple gun for my 260lb cold press. Is there a paper weight limit you would not go above using Gatorboard? I bought a small piece to try it out before I buy bigger pieces. It's so nice and light just need to be convinced it can hold staples in with heavier paper.
@charles-sluga
2 жыл бұрын
Hi John, Thanks for the message and for watching my video. I can't say I have tried stretching 260Ib watercolour paper. That is quite heavy and I probably wouldn't bother stretching it as you would need a lot of water for it to buckle. However, having said that I would guess that the gator board would work OK. The shrinking of the paper as it dries would put pressure on the staples from the side and not the top, so they should hold. A bit difficult to explain. When you remove staples from gator board you pull upwards ( perpendicular to the board) and the staples come out. When paper shrinks as it is drying, it pulls on the staples in a horizontal fashion, so staples should stay in. Wow, a lot of words as I try to explain this. Not sure how else to explain it. I hope it kind of makes sense 😁 Maybe test it out on your small board just to make sure. Cheers. Charles
@Kamoolti
3 жыл бұрын
Hii, thank you so much for the info. Super easy, great advice. Subscribed!
@charles-sluga
3 жыл бұрын
I'm very glad it helped. Thanks for watching and thanks for subscribing too. Cheers. Charles
@lisavento7474
11 ай бұрын
what resist are you using there in larger swishes...i see the yellows not covering when you paint. I also used Frisket and everything bled underneath, not sure if i was supposed to BURNISH it down when doing a background?
@charles-sluga
11 ай бұрын
I was just using normal making fluid (frisket). Can't remember the brand - may have been Winsor and Newton or Art Spectrum. No need to burnish it down. The only requirement is that it is totally dry before applying paint. Not sure why the paint works have booked under it for you
@lisavento7474
11 ай бұрын
@@charles-sluga large frisket SHEETS, film, on 140 cold press. watercolor seeped under it and it's been 30 years since i used it, for background washes so maybe if i burnished it down.
@charles-sluga
11 ай бұрын
Frisket sheets I have never used, but yes I would imagine burnishing then down to stop the seepage of paint would/could work.
@amcastro8599
4 жыл бұрын
I will like to use gatorboard, but isn’t that a paper surface on the top prone to buckling? I read it’s only foam in the middle and the faces are paper
@charles-sluga
4 жыл бұрын
Hi Castro Fam. Thanks for watching. I think you may be thinking of foamcore which has a paper surface and foam inside. Gator board has a laminated surface and polystyrene on the inside. Very light, very tough. Some places may call it Artboard. Your local art shop should be able to get it. Good luck.
@janthomsonart
5 жыл бұрын
Question - if you use gummed tape to stretch your paper , how quickly do you need to remove it?I don't usually stretch as I use heavier paper, but tried the tape for the first time, left it for a few days until I had time to do the painting, then struggled to remove it! where did i stuff up?
@charles-sluga
5 жыл бұрын
Hi Jan. First let me say, thanks for watching.. yes, the gum tape can be a bit of a problem and that is why I prefer to use the method shown on my other video using staples. However, there is a solution😁. First of all use a knife or blade to cut the paper off the board. It will still have the gum tape attached to it. Get some warm water and using your sponge wet the gum tape. Give it about 5 to 10 minutes to soak, then you should be able to carefully rub the tape off. Make sure you rub away from your finished painting.Good luck. I could have made a video about this 😀
@janthomsonart
5 жыл бұрын
Thanks ,Charles - yes, I did do that in the end- good idea about the knife, I just soaked and picked and cursed a little..:) Won't try that again!@@charles-sluga
@charles-sluga
5 жыл бұрын
😂 cursed only a little Jan? Yes, I like the staple method much more.
@janthomsonart
5 жыл бұрын
well, maybe a bit more than a little... @@charles-sluga
@karenheidler8616
3 жыл бұрын
Hi Jan, thank you so much for telling about your gummed tape experience. I was considering trying this method since I have always used the gummed tape on plywood which works great. Now I know NOT to use that tape on my gatorboard and just go with the staple method which is an excellent method. Happy Painting!
@trish7949
4 жыл бұрын
Hi Charles, love your channel, so inspiring & useful, keep them coming! I've just moved back from the UK and although I'm still using Jacksons for most supplies, (small items) I am struggling to find good quality paper here. What do you use and what GSM?
@charles-sluga
4 жыл бұрын
Hi Turissa, Thanks for the kind words and for watching my videos. I'm glad you found it inspiring. In answer to your question, I generally use Arches rough or hot press paper depending on what I wish to acheive. I also tend to use 185gsm most of the time. However, I on occassion but a 9 m roll of Arches paper for bigger works, which is obviously heavier paper. I also paint on Yupo and also stretched canvas. Charles
@babynurse52
2 жыл бұрын
Repeatedly using staples into the gatorboard with destroy the board?
@charles-sluga
2 жыл бұрын
Not in my experience and I have been using this method for years. Yes it will put small holes in the board but this won't destroy it. If you are concerned about tiny holes ( and I mean tiny), stretch your paper on one side of the board only and keep the other side fresh. Good luck and thanks for watching.
@babynurse52
2 жыл бұрын
@@charles-sluga thank you. Which size of gatorboard would you recommend that would be most versatile and yet accommodate a full sheet of paper?
@charles-sluga
2 жыл бұрын
@@babynurse52 if you want to do full sheet then it really only has to be a few cm bigger than a full sheet. Depending on where you buy it, it may even be stated as being full sheet size. They usually come in full sheet, half sheet, quarter sheet size.
@kayclark4406
Жыл бұрын
I’ve been using artist white tape and it is always a failure! Thanks for this video!
@charles-sluga
Жыл бұрын
My pleasure Kay.
@jasminnowsart
3 жыл бұрын
Thank you! I absolutely hate the tape method because the tape does not allow for the parts under the tape to dry evenly.
@charles-sluga
3 жыл бұрын
My pleasure. I'm glad it helped. I'm not a great fan of the tape, but I also have a video on how to get that tape to work for you... check it out if you want to use the rest of your tape. Thanks for watching.
@nerdieone1
3 жыл бұрын
What if the staples don't go completely into the board? Mine only go in about halfway.
@charles-sluga
3 жыл бұрын
Hi Nerdieone1. I am sorry to take so long to reply but I have only just come across your question. If you are using Gator Board they should go in all the way. Just make sure you have the stapler pressed right up against the board. If you are using another kind of board, it may be too hard for the staples to go in and you will need a heavy duty stapler and use some force. I hope this helps.
@elenap.8783
5 жыл бұрын
Can I remove my dried paper and then on a flat surface start to draw or it will buckle again?
@charles-sluga
5 жыл бұрын
Hi Elena, Thanks for watching. The quick answer is that you leave it with the tape or staples until you have finished the work as it will buckle again if you remove it and then paint. So stretch using tape or staples ( if you choose to stretch the paper) do your drawing/painting then when that's dry you can remove it.
@barbosborne1
5 жыл бұрын
Hello. Why is stretching needed?
@charles-sluga
5 жыл бұрын
Hi Barb - it just stops the paper from buckling when you do a very wet painting. However it is not always necessary...and this I may cover in a future video. Thanks for watching.
@lisavento7474
Жыл бұрын
Saw another PRO sponge out excess and THEN use masking tape to tape it down and use a hair dryer which was KEY to it not buckling when painted on.
@charles-sluga
Жыл бұрын
Hi Lisa, Theoretically that would work, but it would need to be a good strong masking tape. I actually always use the staple method now...or I don't, but that's another story🙂. Thanks for watching
@lisavento7474
Жыл бұрын
@@charles-sluga So the holes do not become a problem down the road?
@charles-sluga
Жыл бұрын
@@lisavento7474 Hi Lisa, No the holes aren't a problem. I staple close to the edge and then if or when the painting is framed, the matboard covers the holes.
@lisavento7474
Жыл бұрын
I meant constant staples making holes that break down the board or hold water?
@charles-sluga
Жыл бұрын
@@lisavento7474 Hi Lisa, I really don't have any problem with the staple holes damaging the gator board over time. Since the staples come out very easily, they don't damage the board much. I have had boards I have been putting staples in for years and they are fine.Not sure what you mean about the water?
@nerdieone1
3 жыл бұрын
I figured it out lol. I wasn't using enough force.
@charles-sluga
3 жыл бұрын
Oh yes, May the force be with you nerdieone when putting staples in 😁. Good luck with the stretching and thanks for watching the video.
@nerdieone1
3 жыл бұрын
Thank you 😊
@alleynanci
2 жыл бұрын
Why stretch it?
@charles-sluga
2 жыл бұрын
If using very light weight paper the paper can tend to buckle while painting which causes little valleys which can make it more difficult to paint. Stretching the paper also means when you have finished your painting you have a flat piece of paper at the end. Stretching is not the only way though, but it is the easiest. Thanks for watching.
Пікірлер: 116