Paint-Wash
 Background Technique
Demonstrated by Kelly Shults
July 2005-Art Explorations
 
Supplies:
  • Watercolors in tubes
    *( I found my set of watercolors at Michaels for under $4.00)
  • Acrylic Paint (I use Plaid and Delta brands)
  • White Gesso ( Inexpensive Gesso is fine for this technique, I got mine at Wal-Mart)
  • A background surface
    (I am using heavy cardstock in this demonstration)
  • A shallow pan
  • Paper towels (optional)
  • several small containers to mix paint in
  • Water
  • Regular Table Salt
  • Metallic Ink Pad
    ( I am using Archival Brilliance Pigment Ink in Galaxy Gold.)
  • Paint Brush
  • Plastic Bag/ Saran Wrap
  • Heat gun/ Hair dryer (*optional)

Step 1:
  • In a shallow pan, covered with paper towels coat your background surface with a thick coat of  Gesso.
  • The gesso will help your surface to be sturdy and withstand the moisture of the paint.
  • Randomly pounce your paint brush to add some dimension and texture to your background surface. You can also use a stylus or toothpick to make designs in your gesso. 
  • Let background dry or speed the drying process with your heat gun or hair dryer.
Step 2:
  • Mix watercolor paint or acrylic paint in a small container or disposable cup/bowl.  Add a little water. Don't make it too watery, you want the paint to have a some body, yet still be fluid.



     
Step 3:
  • Pour the mixed paint onto the paper. You can pour a couple of colors at once or  pour one color on a time.  More than 2 colors may cause a muddy looking mess. 

 

Step 4:

  • Move the paint around on the paper until the entire surface is covered.
  • You may have to mix more paint and pour again and slosh over your paper to cover the entire surface.
  • I put the paper towels at the bottom of the pan to absorb some of the water, so my paper would not be sopping wet.  However, you don't have to use the paper towels. You can let the paper get completely saturated with the paint wash. This will save on paint, too. Just make sure you dry it well, before using it in a project.
  • Now try one or several of the techniques listed below.

 

 
Different Techniques to try:
  • Add salt to the wet paint and dry.  Once the paper is dry, sweep off the salt. The salt absorbs some of the moisture and creates very interesting textures.
  • Another way to create unique patterns and textures,  is to lay some plastic or bubble wrap on the wet paint and let dry. Once the paint is just about dry, pull off the wrap.
  • Pounce plastic wrap, wax paper or plastic bag in the wet paint to create interesting patterns.
  • Take a metallic ink pad and apply to the raised surfaces once your surface is dry.
  • Have fun experimenting!  These are so much fun to create and make beautiful backgrounds for Altered Books, Collages, ATC's and more!

 

 

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Samples:

       

(Click on the thumbnails to see larger picture)

If you have any questions or comments please
please feel free to email me: kellyshults@cox.net