How I Flatten My Finished Paintings (Plus a “Happy Accident”) [WW Episode 2]

In this video I show you step by step how I flatten my finished watercolors. I give you an overview of the supplies you need and show you how I fixed an unfortunate mistake.
***UPDATE: I now like to flatten my paintings by ironing them.
1- Place your painting between layers of a clean sheet
2- Iron the backside of the painting with steam
3- Immediately cover the entire painting with one large, flat surface (like a large flat smooth board)
4- Weight the surface with heavy objects like books
5- Let dry overnight

[@barbaratibbets8643]

Great demo. I do similar except use a piece of glass to lay over on-the-back wet watercolor. Pile the books on and let it set overnight. If not dry and flat, I leave again overnight. I line the outside edges of glass with blue tape as to not cut myself.

[@aquilawatercolor]

Ooo! I like this idea! Thank you for sharing!

[@danolson6476]

That was amazing. When you darkened the edge and moved the color in, it really bought out the eyes of the dog. Happy mistake.

[@aquilawatercolor]

Thanks Dan! I agree. My motto is just keep painting :D

[@1958shiner]

Amazing painting!!!!!!

[@aquilawatercolor]

Thank you!

[@mojocat7]

Wow you did such a good job fixing the stain. I LOVE your painting as well. Fellow pet portraitist here.

[@aquilawatercolor]

Woo hoo! Thank you! :D Keep on painting!!

[@pattijesinoski1958]

Actually makes the dog more 3d with the blue color background change. Bravo for the stain to have occurred!

[@aquilawatercolor]

Thanks Patti! It all worked out :)

[@Uncommonsenses]

What about spritzing down the back of the paper and then ironing it with a hot iron?

[@aquilawatercolor]

Yes I have done this too! Although I find it doesn't hold unless I also weigh it down overnight.

[@mikuenjoyerXD]

Would I be able to do this before I start painting?

[@aquilawatercolor]

Hey Candle! Unfortunately since this method isn't actually "stretching" the paper, it won't keep the paper flat if used before you paint. The paint and water will cause the paper to ripple a bit, so you'd still need to flatten it afterwards. Happy painting! I'm starting up Watercolor Wednesdays again this week, so stay tuned for more videos! :D

[@SirKaracho77]

Yes, and it is much less work. You soak the paper in water for around 10 minutes, then fix it via tape or a lot of staplers to a surface and let it dry. What is shown here is to avoid the few minutes of work and the night you have to wait and instead wait for half a week. Sorry, but i cant believe people actually like this video.

[@oceanpearls324]

That takes longer and is just as much work as stretching it in the first place. I read somewhere that you can soak a watercolor paper and just go ahead and use it without stretching it as long as you're going to use it immediately after soaking it. Have you tried this? Is it true?

[@aquilawatercolor]

I haven't tried that but that's how the queen of negative painting, Linda Kemp, does it. It's definitely worth exploring! I need to post an updated video, as I actually iron my watercolors flat now.

[@starrynight5207]

what about taping it down before painting?

[@aquilawatercolor]

Hey there! Yes, you can do that, and it will help. But most likely (unless you are painting on 300lb paper) you will still have to flatten it afterwards.