You can paint with watercolors on canvas, it works very well for wet into wet techniques for example. The challenge with painting with watercolors on canvas is that it is difficult to layer watercolors as the previous layers will lift too easily, the advantage is that you can carve lights by lifting up colors.
Here is how to paint with watercolors on canvas and add zentangles.
Start with a rough outline of your drawing with pencil on canvas
A good way to start is to paint a light wash on the canvas, here I mixed a light lime green.
As your watercolor wash is still wet, you can sprinkle some alcohol to add visual texture.
I am a Blick Art Materials affiliate and I receive a small compensation for sales. That does not effect in any way the cost of the purchaser’s order but it helps me keeping the content of this blog free.
Same palette of traditional colors the great masters used a century ago. Liquid-poured means semi-moist pans respond instantly to a wet brush. 24 pans in plastic case. Also individual pans. – Master Set
As this background would lift very easily, you can fix it by painting plain acrylic medium on top. It will move a bit the paint but once dry will be permanent once dried.
You can then paint another layer on top, here I am painting the foliage letting the colors mix wet into wet.
I also am painting the trunks wet into wet
I am a Blick Art Materials affiliate and I receive a small compensation for sales. That does not effect in any way the cost of the purchaser’s order but it helps me keeping the content of this blog free.
Copic Original Markers There’s nothing like the Copic double-ended marker for expert blending, painting, and tone control. Use them for fine art projects, calligraphy, and more. The broad nib offers coverage for larger areas. For detailed work, flip over to the fine nib.
You can then start adding zentangles on top of your painting. Here, I did choose designs that had a signification related to trees.
At this point in the painting, it is a good idea to stop for a while and assess the results. For example here I find the trees color to be too pink and blue, so I am adding a wash of green so the color scheme works better for me.
I did add zentangle to the lower part of the painting with foliage related designs
Forest Quilt, Watercolor and mixed media on canvas 12 x 39 inches
Originally from France, I have been living in North Vancouver, Canada for the past 20 years.
My work has been collected and exhibited extensively in Canada and internationally. I am also part of the Art Rentals and sales program of the Vancouver Art Gallery.
Many of my paintings have been published in Art books and magazines (Artist Magazine, Watercolor Artist Magazine, Acrylic Magazine, International Artist Magazine). I wrote 2 art instruction books with North Light/F+W Books.
I have been writing for the last 5 years for my blog: paintingdemos.com, that has a mailing list of about 10 000 subscribers and about 20 000 visitors per month.
I am an active member in the community, as a co-founder of the North Shore Art crawl, a co-founder of a weekly life drawing group, a board member of the North Vancouver Arts Council, and have been invited as a juror for public art, art grants and juried exhibitions. You can read more about my collaborations here.
Merci Ginette 🙂 Je suis contente que cela te plaise. Si tu as des questions je me ferait un plaisir de répondre en Français.
Lizzy
I absolutely love your work. Trees really inspire me – and the patterns on the bark are v similar to the shadows I paint into mine. I have been painting watercolour directly onto large canvas for a while and much prefer it to paper. It’s just easier to control and I am so pleased with the result. I am concerned that when I’m selling them they will fade – do you use a clear acrylic over them ? I wasn’t sure what the medium was you are mentioning?
Thanks Lizzy, yes I used acrylic medium on too of the watercolor so it would stay on the canvas and not lift off. I also varnished the painting at the end.
Betty Wilson
I just love this unconventional but simple idea. May I share it with my watercolor students? I love it!!!
Love your work because you are not afraid to try different things, do you use regular store bought alcohol that you find anywhere? and how do I learn Zentangle? thanks for sharing your beautiful works of art.
Penny Heflin
[…] Watercolor and Zentangle painting on canvas, Forest Quilt […]
Caroline Wickham
Sandrine, I am a textile artist who went to art school then design school, in Ontario. Your work, your sharing inspires me to keep on, to not give up, to experiment until satisfied! Thank you!
I am a huge fan! Im still trying to perfect my watercolor work. And yes I have tried using it on Canvas but the challenge of the water resistant surface was quite a hurdle. I will try the wet on wet technique on a small one and see how it goes!
Beautiful, Sandrine!
May I ask what kind of canvas you are using for the watercolour? I did not realize that you could apply watercolour on top of gel medium for acrylics! Fascinating.
Thank you for sharing.
Thanks Christiane 🙂 I used a regular canvas, the same kind you would use with acrylics and oils.The challenge with painting with watercolors on canvas is that you can’t layer the colors, they will lift of the surface. It is working well for wet in wet techniques.
Comments (26)
Ginette
J’aime beacoup. Merci de partager.
Sandrine Pelissier
Merci Ginette 🙂 Je suis contente que cela te plaise. Si tu as des questions je me ferait un plaisir de répondre en Français.
Lizzy
I absolutely love your work. Trees really inspire me – and the patterns on the bark are v similar to the shadows I paint into mine. I have been painting watercolour directly onto large canvas for a while and much prefer it to paper. It’s just easier to control and I am so pleased with the result. I am concerned that when I’m selling them they will fade – do you use a clear acrylic over them ? I wasn’t sure what the medium was you are mentioning?
Sandrine Pelissier
Thanks Lizzy, yes I used acrylic medium on too of the watercolor so it would stay on the canvas and not lift off. I also varnished the painting at the end.
Betty Wilson
I just love this unconventional but simple idea. May I share it with my watercolor students? I love it!!!
Sandrine Pelissier
Thanks Betty :), yes you are more than welcome to share it with your students, just be sure that you cite the source.
Watercolor and fluid acrylic: similarities and differences
[…] You might also be interested in : How to paint with watercolors on canvas and add zentangles: Fores… […]
Green Mums, watercolor flower painting with zentangles
[…] Forest Quilt […]
Penny Heflin
Love your work because you are not afraid to try different things, do you use regular store bought alcohol that you find anywhere? and how do I learn Zentangle? thanks for sharing your beautiful works of art.
Penny Heflin
Sandrine Pelissier
Thanks Penny 🙂
Yes I am using rubbing alcohol from the drugstore.
zentangles and life drawing
[…] Previous post: Watercolor and Zentangle painting on canvas, Forest Quilt […]
Embroidered Forest, Watercolor, Acrylics and zentangles painting tutorial
[…] Watercolor and Zentangle painting on canvas, Forest Quilt […]
Caroline Wickham
Sandrine, I am a textile artist who went to art school then design school, in Ontario. Your work, your sharing inspires me to keep on, to not give up, to experiment until satisfied! Thank you!
Sandrine Pelissier
Thanks Caroline, great to hear that 🙂
Tinkerbell
I am a huge fan! Im still trying to perfect my watercolor work. And yes I have tried using it on Canvas but the challenge of the water resistant surface was quite a hurdle. I will try the wet on wet technique on a small one and see how it goes!
I love this piece…:)
Sandrine Pelissier
Thanks Tinkerbell :), let me know how it goes.
Janice Schafir
You could put some absorbable ground on the canvas before putting down the watercolors!
Sandrine Pelissier
Yes, I tried it once but I think I prefer the more water resistant surface of the canvas, it reminds me a bit of painting on yupo paper.
Janice Schafir
I love the creativity in your work, thank you!
Sandrine Pelissier
Thanks Janice 🙂
Diane O
Lovely effects! What did you use for the Zentangle designs? Ink? Marker?
Sandrine Pelissier
Thanks Diane, I tried lots of different markers and brands and what I did find works the best was Copic markers and Sharpies ultra fine points.
Diane O
Thank you. I’ve used Sharpies with my acrylics and they worked pretty well. Obviously, they work well with watercolors, too 🙂
Nicole
BEAUTIFUL…JUST BEAUTIFUL
Christiane Kingsley
Beautiful, Sandrine!
May I ask what kind of canvas you are using for the watercolour? I did not realize that you could apply watercolour on top of gel medium for acrylics! Fascinating.
Thank you for sharing.
Sandrine Pelissier
Thanks Christiane 🙂 I used a regular canvas, the same kind you would use with acrylics and oils.The challenge with painting with watercolors on canvas is that you can’t layer the colors, they will lift of the surface. It is working well for wet in wet techniques.