Artist's Board

My father was an A.W.S. watercolorist. I remember him soaking his paper, then using paper tape to stretch it across a board. He finally got to paint once the paper was completely dry.

I was amazed in my first class with Eleanor Cox when she used artist's tape to attach fresh paper (un-soaked) straight to a thick foam board called Gator Board. This thick white foam board with a plasticized surface comes under different brand names, one of which is Elmer's brand. It is lightweight and waterproof. Paper can be attached with tape or staples or push pins. Here is a link to the artist's board offered by Dick Blick: http://www.dickblick.com/products/incredible-art-board/

I have begun to use it for virtually everything. I watercolor or paint with pastels or use gouache on it. I usually staple the paper to it as this allows a person to work to the edge.

Recently, I have covered the edges of the board underneath the paper with artist's tape. This eliminates much clean up and helps preserve the board (which is not inexpensive).

Give this board a try. I believe you will find it worth the price.

Cheap Meatloaf Pans

I tried doing the paintings on my drawing table but the pastel would collect. So I decided to paint standing at an easel. I stapled the pastel paper (typically Stonehenge) to artist's board, and then placed it in the easel. The easel tray collects most of the dust, but as the painting sticks out on both sides past the easel tray, I decided to attach cheap aluminum meatloaf pans to collect the dust. In order to get the pans stable, I have taped them to a t-square that is taped to the easel. This easy system works extremely well, leaving little dust collecting on the paper as I paint.