Summary:
The purpose of this paper is to discuss the selection and expression of substrate materials in watercolor painting, and to analyze the characteristics and applications of two common substrate materials, paper and canvas, in the creation of watercolor painting. The basic characteristics of paper and canvas are first introduced, and then their influence in the creation of watercolor painting is compared and analyzed. Then, the influence of substrate materials on the color expression and texture effect of watercolor paintings is discussed, and the advantages and disadvantages of each of them and their applicable scenarios are summarized.
I. Introduction
Watercolor, as an ancient and unique form of painting, has rich artistic charm and expressiveness. Its history dates back to ancient civilizations, and it is still widely popular and revered today. One of the peculiarities of watercolor painting is that its water-based pigments dissolve in an aqueous medium and are applied to a specific substrate material, such as paper or canvas. Watercolor is favored for its lightness, transparency, and transparency, and it differs from other painting mediums, such as oil painting or acrylic painting, in that it has a unique way of expression and visual effect.
II. Classification and Characteristics of Substrate Materials
A. Paper
Different paper types and their characteristics
In the field of watercolor painting, common types of paper include rough paper, cold-pressed paper, and hot-pressed paper. Rough paper usually has a rough surface texture and strong water absorption, which is suitable for expressing large areas of rough landscapes or abstract expressions. Cold-pressed paper has a relatively smooth surface, a delicate texture, and water absorption between rough paper and hot-pressed paper, making it one of the most commonly used types of watercolor paper. Hot-pressed paper, on the other hand, has a very smooth surface and a delicate texture, making it suitable for detailed painting and detailed expression.
The influence of paper texture on watercolor painting
The texture of the paper has an important impact on the effect of a watercolor painting. The texture of the rough paper causes the pigment to produce rough textures and grains on the surface, which is suitable for expressing rough landscapes or abstract expressions in nature. The smoothness and water absorption of cold-pressed paper are between rough paper and hot-pressed paper, which can achieve a relatively uniform pigment diffusion and gradient effect, which is suitable for painting various types of watercolor paintings. The smooth surface of the hot-pressed paper enables fine painting and fine detail, making it ideal for depictions and paintings that require a high degree of detail.
B. Canvas
Different types of canvases and their characteristics
Unlike paper, canvas, as a base material for watercolor painting, is also available in different types. Common types of canvas include cotton, linen, and coated canvases, among others. Cotton cloth has a relatively soft texture and good water absorption performance, which is suitable for watercolor painting. The texture of the linen cloth is relatively rough and the texture is obvious, which is suitable for expressing bold brushstrokes and rough effects. A coated canvas is a specially treated canvas with a special coating that allows the pigment to spread more evenly on the surface, creating a soft gradient effect.
The influence of canvas surface treatment on watercolor painting
The surface treatment of the canvas also has an important influence on the effect of watercolor painting. The rough surface of the untreated canvas and the obvious texture are suitable for expressing bold brushstrokes and rough effects. A specially coated canvas can achieve a uniform diffusion of pigment on the surface, producing soft transitions and gradients, which is suitable for watercolor paintings that require a soft expression.
III. The Effect of the Base Material on the Texture of Watercolor Painting
A. Paper texture and watercolor effect
Texture expression of rough paper
Rough paper is a common base material used in watercolor paintings, and its unique texture and water absorption properties give the works a special texture expression. First of all, the texture of the rough paper is obvious, and the surface is uneven, which makes the pigment diffuse on the paper to produce a grainy texture effect.
This rough texture can add a natural, unpretentious feeling to the picture, and is suitable for expressing rough landscapes, landscapes or abstract expressions in nature. For example, when depicting mountains, the diffusion of paint on the rough paper creates undulating mountain outlines, enhancing the texture and three-dimensionality of the mountains.
Delicate effect on smooth paper
In contrast to coarse paper, smooth paper has a smooth surface and a delicate texture, enabling detailed painting and fine detail. Smooth paper spreads the pigment more evenly across the surface, creating a soft gradient effect and smoother color transitions.
This delicate effect is suitable for depicting highly detailed subjects such as flowers, still lifes, or portraits. For example, when depicting flowers, the diffusion of paint on smooth paper creates a soft color transition, making the petals' textures and light effects more delicate and realistic.
B. Textural representation of the canvas
Textured effect of a rough canvas
Rough canvas is a common base material for watercolor paintings, with a pronounced surface texture and a rough texture, which can add a unique texture to the work. The diffusion of paint on a rough canvas is affected by the texture of the canvas, resulting in a pronounced brushstroke and textural effect.
This texture effect can add layers and three-dimensionality to the work, making the picture more vivid and interesting. For example, when depicting a desert landscape, the diffusion of paint on the rough canvas creates textures and fine grains on the desert surface, enhancing the texture and realism of the desert landscape.
Flatness of a smooth canvas
The smooth canvas has a smooth surface and a delicate texture for detailed painting and flat texture. When painting watercolors on a smooth canvas, the pigment spreads evenly and creates a soft gradient effect, resulting in a flat, fluid texture.
This flatness is ideal for depicting subjects that require detailed representation and delicate textures, such as buildings, cityscapes, or still lifes. For example, when depicting city streets, the diffusion of paint on a smooth canvas creates a flat texture and light and shadow effect on the surface of the building, making the cityscape more realistic and detailed.
IV. The Effect of the Base Material on the Effect of Watercolor Painting
A. Water absorption
Comparison of water absorption properties of different substrate materials
In the creation of watercolor painting, the water absorption of the base material directly affects the diffusion and penetration effect of the pigment on the picture. Generally speaking, paper and canvas are common watercolor substrate materials, and their water absorption properties differ. As one of the main substrates of watercolor painting, paper usually has good water absorption properties, which can quickly absorb pigments and spread them between the fibers. In contrast, the water absorption of the canvas is relatively weak, because the fibers of the canvas are more compact, and the surface is less prone to water absorption.
Effect of water absorption on pigment diffusion
Water absorption has a direct impact on how and how quickly pigments diffuse on the substrate material. On paper, due to its good water absorption, the pigment quickly penetrates and diffuses between the paper fibers, creating a gentle gradient effect. This diffusion allows for a more natural and fluid transition between the paints, making it easy to achieve the wet-wetting technique commonly found in watercolors.
On canvas, due to its weak water absorption, the pigment diffusion is relatively slow, making the color transition less soft than on paper, and it is easier to create the effect of clear color edges.
B. Saturation and transparency
Effect of different substrate materials on pigment performance
The difference in the substrate material has a significant impact on the saturation and transparency behavior of the pigments. On paper, the saturation of pigments is relatively high, because the paper can absorb water quickly, making pigment pigments pigments more vivid and bright. In addition, the high transparency of the paper allows the underlying pigment to be revealed through the upper pigment, enhancing the layering and three-dimensional sense of the picture.
On the canvas, due to its poor water absorption, the saturation of the pigment is relatively low, and the performance of the pigment is softer and more natural. At the same time, the transparency of the canvas is low, and the upper layer of paint is not easy to penetrate the underlying paint, resulting in a more intense effect on the whole picture.
Techniques for regulating saturation and transparency
Artists can control the saturation and transparency of the pigment by adjusting the degree of dilution and the number of layers. On paper, the pigment can be diluted and saturated by increasing the amount of water used, and at the same time, the transparent pigment layer can be applied multiple times to increase the transparency and layering of the picture.
On canvas, you can reduce the amount of water used, making the pigment thicker and more saturated, while reducing the number of applications to maintain the intensity of the picture. In addition, you can further control the color expression and texture of the picture by mixing different colors and adjusting the concentration of pigments.
V. The influence of the base material on the expressiveness of watercolor painting
A. Color Expression
The effect of different substrate materials on the presentation of colors
The substrate material has a significant impact on the color presentation of watercolor paintings. On paper, colors appear more transparent and bright. Due to the paper's good water absorption, the pigment can quickly penetrate and diffuse between the fibers, resulting in a soft and transparent effect. This transparent expression allows the underlying pigment to be revealed through the upper pigment, enhancing the layering and three-dimensional sense of the picture.
In contrast, on the canvas, the colors are more intense. The canvas is less absorbent, resulting in a slower penetration of the pigment and a richer color expression. Therefore, when choosing a base material, the artist needs to decide whether to pursue a transparent and bright effect or a thick and full effect according to the theme and expression of the work.
The relationship between color mixing techniques and the substrate material
Artists often use color mixing techniques to create colorful effects in their watercolor paintings. On paper, the rapid diffusion of the pigment makes it easier to achieve the technique of mixing wet with wet. This technique allows the different colours of pigments to blend together naturally, creating a soft transition. At the same time, due to the high transparency of the paper, the underlying color can pass through the upper layer of color, resulting in richer color variations.
Whereas, on the canvas, color mixing requires more time and skill due to the slower diffusion rate of the pigments. Artists can use the texture of the canvas surface to control the direction of paint diffusion, allowing for finer color mixing. In addition, the intense texture of the canvas is also suitable for creating a strong contrast of color effects, making the colors more full and vivid.
B. Texture expression
The effect of the texture of the substrate material on the effect of the picture
The texture of the base material has an important influence on the effect of a watercolor painting. On paper, the fibers of the paper are delicate and the texture is relatively smooth, so it is suitable for detailed painting and detailed expression. The smooth surface of the paper allows the pigment to adhere more evenly to the paper, making the painting process smoother.
Whereas, on the canvas, the texture of the canvas is coarser and the fibers are more prominent. This rough texture allows the pigment to form a unique texture on the surface of the canvas, adding to the three-dimensional and layered sense of the picture. Therefore, the artist can choose the appropriate substrate material according to the needs of the work to achieve different texture expression effects.
A combination of textural expression and watercolor techniques
Watercolor techniques are often combined with the texture of the substrate material to create a rich variety of textures. On paper, artists can use the different brushstrokes of the brush and the dilution of the watercolor to express a delicate textured effect. By controlling the thickness of the pigment and how it is applied, you can create a silky, soft or rough texture.
On the canvas, since the surface of the canvas itself has a texture, the artist can use this natural texture to enhance the expressiveness of the picture. Canvas textures can be further enhanced by overlapping, scratching, or sanding to create richer images.
VI. Conclusion
Color Performance:
Paper: The transparency and water absorption of the paper allow the pigment to penetrate and diffuse quickly between the fibers, resulting in a soft and transparent color effect. The transparent expression enhances the layering and three-dimensional sense of the picture.
Canvas: The texture of the canvas is heavier, and the pigment penetrates more slowly, so the colors appear richer and fuller. The canvas is suitable for creating strong contrasting color effects, making the colors more full and vivid.
Texture Performance:
Paper: The paper is delicate and delicate, and the surface is relatively smooth, which is suitable for detailed painting and detailed expression.
Canvas: The texture of the canvas is coarser and more prominent, giving the picture a unique texture and three-dimensionality.
Author: Lu Xilin
Bibliography:
"The Watercolor Artist's Paper Directory" by Birgit O'Connor
"The Watercolorist's Essential Notebook" by Gordon MacKenzie
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