Week 39

Watercolor on Yupo Paper

BY ASHLEY CALDER | from Scraptastic!

illustration

One of the unique properties of Yupo paper — which is, in fact, made of plastic — is its inability to absorb paint as traditional watercolor paper does. Experiment with Yupo this week using a variety of watercolors. Show no fear — see what you can do with Yupo. Then, incorporate the results into your next scrapbooking or mixed-media project.

Materials

illustration Yupo paper

illustration transparent tape or glue dots

illustration support board

illustration watercolor paint

illustration brushes

illustration palette

illustration water

illustration plastic wrap

illustration paper towel

illustration scissors

illustration

1. Dampen the paper and add paint

Secure the Yupo paper to a board with loops of transparent tape or glue dots on the back, then dampen it with a wet paper towel. Mix water-colors on a palette. Because the paint will naturally mix under the plastic wrap (in Step 2) during the course of drying, it is best to avoid using colors that could create muddy browns if mixed. Blue, for instance, would be better paired with a like color, such as green, rather than an opposite color, such as orange. Wipe and drop multiple colors onto the paper.

illustration

2. Cover With plastic wrap

Cut a piece of plastic wrap approximately the size of the paper and gently place it over the paper. Cut another piece to cover the rest of the paper, if needed. Set the board aside to dry completely (this may take overnight or even two days). Lay it flat and avoid disturbing the plastic while the paint is drying.

illustration

3. Remove the plastic wrap

Once dry, gently remove the plastic wrap to reveal the effect.

Tips

illustration The edges of Yupo don't need to be taped down prior to painting. Yupo won't buckle or warp under the paint. If you want to hold the paper in place while you work, secure it with tape loops under the four corners.

illustration Be sure to handle your unpainted paper with freshly washed hands. The natural oils in your fingers can mark the paper and those areas will resist any paint applied. Yupo can be washed with a diluted soap-and-water solution to clean off any fingerprints.

illustration Due to the impermeable nature of Yupo, dry or wet watercolor can be easily washed off the paper. This makes it easy to fix any mistakes or areas with which you may be unhappy.

illustration Finish your Yupo artwork with a fixative spray. Handling it with damp fingers may lift paint from your page. A fixative spray like Krylon works well.