HOW DO YOU CREATE YOUR WATERCOLOR PAINTINGS?

I paint on kaolin clay coated 1/8" masonite hardboards, which are made by hand in the USA and are completely archival. My process involves thoroughly wetting the claybord, working one layer at a time, I start with transparent washes of color that I build up one at a time, letting each layer dry before applying the next. Then I build the paint a little at a time from transparent to more opaque, allowing the paint to fully dry between layers. My process is very detail-oriented and I work with a variety of brushes, some as small as 4/0.

DO YOUR WATERCOLOR PAINTINGS NEED TO BE FRAMED UNDER GLASS?

Not at all. When the painting is completely dry I seal it with a with an archival UVLS (Ultra Violet Light Stabilizer) varnish. This completely seals and protects the painting. Boards can be placed in an open back frame, without glass and wiped clean as necessary with a dry cloth. Or, if desired, displayed as is.

Some of my paintings are painted on cradled board, meaning that the board is attached to a 1-2" deep birchwood cradle, which I stain and seal. Appropriate hardware is attached to the back for hanging. No frame necessary.