“One More Ride”, 16″ x 40″ Original Watercolor Painting on Gallery Wrapped Canvas

This original watercolor painting is 16″ x 40″ and painted on gallery wrapped canvas.

All of my original paintings include a certificate of authenticity with the painting.

My Process:

For this painting, I captured the image of the old truck on the canvas. I then added in the trees and foliage behind it, and the grass and rocks in front.

When I paint on canvas, it is quite different than painting on traditional watercolor paper. I love how it presents the subject in a format closer to that of an oil painting, without needing to look through glass. I take the canvas and treat it with three thin coats of gesso. I then sand it smooth. This helps to remove some of the tooth of the canvas, which can interfere with how the watercolor pigments settle on the final surface. I then begin adding thin layers of watercolor absorbent ground, gently sanding between layers. On the fifth and final layer, I sand one final time, which results in a flat, smooth surface.

When painting on absorbent ground, watercolors behave differently. The water does not absorb into the ground as quickly as it would with paper, so there is more time to work with the pigments before they dry. However, layering is very limited with this surface, so I pretty much have one go at getting the pigments where I want them.  As the pigments begin to dry, or after they have dried, I can then add things like salt to play with the textures presented, or mist water and lift pigments to achieve other effects.

How the surface is protected:

Once the painting is completed and signed, I will add two very fine layers of archival spray fixative over the surface to protect the watercolor pigments from water or moisture. I then add very thin layers of Dorlands wax to ensure the surface is fully protected for the long term. This results in a wonderful painting that really lets the pigments come through.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me and I will be happy to assist you!

David McPhee