The best way to use Aquabord from Ampersand with watercolours
Ойын-сауық
If you are an adventurous painter in watercolours perhaps you have come across Aquabord from Ampersand. Maybe you wonder if they are worth the expense? Or perhaps you want to know what their strengths and weaknesses are? Did you think they might be a good option for a reusable surface you could wash off time and time again? I have had one lurking in my studio for three years and I thought it was about time to get it out and put it through its paces. It certainly surprised me!
Aquabord from Ampersand is a hard board coated in multiple layers of absorbent clay. It is designed to take watercolour and the manufacturer says it behaves like a fine paper with a surface somewhere between hot and cold press. It is designed to keep colours bright and clear and paint can be readily lifted from its surface. However they are pretty pricey, so you will want to know if they live up to the hype, and what are their good and bad points.
If you want to see someone who does amazing portraits on Aquabord, check out Ali Cavanaugh.
If you enjoyed this film, please like and subscribe. I try to release a tip or technique each week, so if you press the notification bell you will get an email when the next is out. You might also enjoy my films about painting on canvas and wood.
Finally, if you are looking for more in depth watercolour and ink courses, please go to www.lizchadertonstudio.co.uk or you might enjoy my books - Painting watercolours on canvas, Painting animals in watercolour, Line and wash painting, Painting Birds in watercolour. All published by Crowood and available online or in bookshops.
#lizchaderton #aquabord #watercolourtips
Пікірлер: 37
Oh wow that was very interesting to see how well the Aquaboard works. I’m glad to see that some of my techniques are suitable for painting with this surface. I’m a bit disappointed that the salt technique doesn’t work as well. Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts and putting this surface through the paces. I’m going to try this out just for the fun of playing around with it.
@LizChadertonArt
Ай бұрын
Glad it was helpful!
Many thanks for trying this out and satisfying my curiosity about this surface. Thanks for saving me some money. Keep up the good ood work !
@LizChadertonArt
2 жыл бұрын
I know some people rave about it, but I found it disappointing. I hoped to fall in love with it.
Thank you, I’ve collected a few Ampersand’s over the years from sales here and there and am not sure how they’d handle the multi-media I have in mind, but you convinced me it could work. Thanks so much 🌺
@LizChadertonArt
2 жыл бұрын
Good! it would be great to see what you do.
@kmeldrom6932
2 жыл бұрын
@@LizChadertonArt I’ll be happy to!
Thanks for the demo, it was very interesting! I'm going to get one and have a play around.
@LizChadertonArt
2 жыл бұрын
Hope you enjoy it!
So beautiful ,thank you for your sharing ❤
@LizChadertonArt
Жыл бұрын
My pleasure
I like aquaboard. Very forgiving but different than paper. It isn’t expensive as having to framing art under mat and glass. Krylon clear coat finishes & preserves it permanently. I do not have success with masking fluid on it though.
@LizChadertonArt
2 ай бұрын
Thanks for sharing!
Interesting experiment. Of course, I'm not sure WHY one would just wash off your paint, though certainly I can see lifting it. now I'm interested to see how other media work on it. I recently picked up some small pieces just to try it out. They also now have a pastelbord, which could be interesting as well, and I've seen people get some interesting effects by carving into the claybord, which I suppose you could do with the aquabord as well. - although being so expensive, these boards seem like they are really more for finished pieces and not for play. Still, I'll have fun trying it out. Fun fact: I live in Texas, a few hours from where the Ampersand company is located. I wonder if they have a store at the factory, and whether it might be a bit cheaper there rather than buying it at an art store?
@LizChadertonArt
6 ай бұрын
if they weren’t so expensive I would love to experiment more!
Thanks again for another great video!
@LizChadertonArt
2 жыл бұрын
My pleasure!
Thanks for your honesty!
@LizChadertonArt
Жыл бұрын
Always! But other artists love it....
Thanks Liz. Good to know. They’re quite expensive in Australia too (-: Marion
@LizChadertonArt
2 жыл бұрын
Most art supplies seem to be expensive in Australia. some people love these boards, but not for me.
Hiya Liz, I'm glad that you tried this Aquabord with a great video, thanks very much. X
@LizChadertonArt
2 жыл бұрын
Glad you enjoyed it
great video Liz, thanks for sharing. Think I’ll stick with paper and at some point I’ll give canvas a go :)
@LizChadertonArt
2 жыл бұрын
it might suit your way of working better than mine. some people love the…..
Great video👍👍
@LizChadertonArt
2 жыл бұрын
glad you enjoyed it!
I bought two of these boards to try it out. I decided to paint a detailed painting which had to be very neat. It looked very blotchy and not even. When I tried to put on multiple layers it didn't get better. The lifting was really nice, but that's all. I did forget to dampen it at first. I hope that will help if I use the other one.
@LizChadertonArt
2 жыл бұрын
I think the dampening is important, so I hope the second is more successful
Entertaining experiment. Thank you. I can see how a direct approach would work best. Also, from what I have seen from other artists, this surface seems to be great for mixed media, especially when you don't want to tape paper to board. For a more traditional watercolor approach, I think it would be better to make your own paper mounted to panel. Also confers the advantage of having a ready-made travel panel with real paper that (shouldn't) buckle. Have you tried making your own paper panels before with 1/8" MDF board and cotton paper, with acrylic gel medium or PVA as the adhesive? I'm wondering how a 140lb cotton rag would perform AFTER being glued to panel. I've heard another artist say she seemed to need 200lb+ to get the result she was after. I'm talking to a pro here, but maybe I've given you an idea 😃Thank you for the great vid!!
@LizChadertonArt
Жыл бұрын
yes, I’ve done that and love presenting paintings in this way. Here’s a film if you’d like to see the process: kzread.info/dash/bejne/op52zJaIlJvOl6Q.html. I always paint first then glue down, only because I wouldn’t want to ruin tge panel and not every painting is a success! I found 140 lb worked really well.
@majrminer
Жыл бұрын
@@LizChadertonArt Thank you! Wonderful of you to share your experience. 🙏😊 One day I will attempt to glue watercolor paper to thin MDF and then paint on it and see how it performs. Certainly would make sense if doing a larger painting while traveling... if it works!
@LizChadertonArt
Жыл бұрын
@@majrminer make sure to gesso the mfd first as the chemicals may leech into your paper
Very interesting! I don’t think that the results justify the cost for me, I’ll stick to paper and the occasional Aquaboard I think!
@LizChadertonArt
11 ай бұрын
My thoughts too!
Is it anywhere close to watercolor canvas? Or more closely to paper at all? It has the look of watercolor canvas in the colors staying on the surface and not fading after drying. Thank you for this demo!
@LizChadertonArt
2 жыл бұрын
it wasn’t like either canvas or paper to be honest, though there were similarities to both. The colour did not flow in the same way as it does on canvas.