Reply To: How Much Water Can Paper Take

[Susan Cuss]

Hi Sharon. Here’s what I have done:

1)Wetting both sides of the paper before painting and  placing the wet paper onto glass or plexiglass.

Taping all four sides of the paper to a solid, non-absorptive surface.

Using heavier 300lb paper

Using a block

These may not always prevent buckling, curling etc., but they do help.

2) Yes. You can dampen the back side of the watercolor paper, lay it painting side down onto a towel on an ironing board, top with a layer of parchment paper, and iron your painting until flat.

I have read that one can also dampen the back of the w/c paper, sandwich it between 2 layers of parchment paper, then add weight on top of the paper. It should lie flat once it dries. I haven’t tried this method.

Hope this helps.