Will watercolours work on normal canvases?

Question

I've googled it and most sites say I need to prime the canvas with gesso and then coat it with golden absorbant ground.

I already have a canvas so I'm not inclined to go buy a watercolour one and just need to know if I need both of the above products to make it work.

Thanks

Answer 1

If you want to do watercolor the traditional way, it's done on paper. Acrylics and oils are done on canvas.

There are absorbent grounds you can use on regular canvas to make it amenable to watercolor, but the canvas texture is very rough, much more so than rough watercolor paper, and would be very hard on your brushes. You could add more gesso layers, sanding between each layer, then lay the absorbent ground. Seems like a lot of extra work when the WC canvas is already prepared. Watercolor canvas is made of a thinner thread and much finer weave, so the surface is much smoother to start.

Answer 2

I have been able to paint watercolor on canvas prepped with gesso alone. It was interesting and enjoyable. However, the canvases that come with gesso on them already, these do not work well. I applied the gesso as it is more absorbent.





I do love absorbent ground and use it quite often. I do only one coat and it works well.





If you have acrylic do an acrylic painting in a transparent manner - it can look just like watercolor and is also fun to do.

Answer 3

Watercolors are very transparent so some of whites of the canvas might show

but it may depend on the brand of your water color?

just try it



best if you use acrylic however

Answer 4

They will, if you don't use too much water. Other wise, it would be like making a painting, too muddy.

You see, water colors are thinner than oil paint and acrylic paint. On the other hand, you can artist paint brushes, fingers or Q Tips. You can also use Q Tips and brushes with the other paints, too.

Answer 5

May be