Aquabord is a rigid, textured, absorbent painting panel that is designed for watercolors and other water media.
It has been said that this surface has a paper-like texture. I don't find this to be true. I think it's it's OWN THING. I have had a friend joke it's like watercoloring on a piece of sheetrock.
Now, one thing (perhaps the best thing?) is that you do not have to stretch paper. If you're familiar with painting with watercolor, you *should* tape your paper down, staple it to gator board or wood, or use binder clips to keep the paper from buckling. With Aquabord, you don't have to do any of that.
The board stays completely flat under heavy washes.
Here is one of my first paintings on Aquabord. This is a Norther Flicker on a 5x7" Aquabord Panel.
This brings me to my next benefit. Lifting color, easily. You can wipe off or lift paint back down to the white of the board, even after it dries. This is how I was able to get the look of the white/transparent in parts feathers above the black spots on the Flicker, above. Paper is much more delicate. It's easy to destroy paper with too much water and forget about scrubbing. Not the case with Aquabord!
A screech owl, also Watercolor on 5x7" Aquabord.
One thing I've noticed about painting on this surface is it can be quite absorbent compared to paper. You do have to layer and put color on thicker and more saturated than you think you do.
If you use the same amount of paint/water that you'd use on paper, the painting will look faded. Also, watercolor doesn't behave the same way as it does on paper. It doesn't as spread as freely and evenly. It almost stays in one area and immediately starts soaking in.
Once you take this into consideration, it's not too difficult to move between paper and Aquabord and know how to adjust your techniques for each surface.
Coyote from our yard, 12x16" Watercolor on Aquabord
With time, I have improved my methods with Aquabord. Like anything, practice makes progress. One thing I haven't quite figured out are landscapes. When I try to paint the sky, I'm unable to get an even wash.
This is because of what I mentioned above. The paint/water will just sit in the spot where I painted it. Almost staining it wherever I put it first, even if I try to move it with a wet brush. I
If I "prime" the surface with just a wash of clean water, and then add paint/water, it doesn't work the way it does with paper to get even washes. It comes out blotchy.
If it dries too light and I want to add another layer, the previous layer will get activated, paint will slightly lift up with the addition of watery paint consistency, and it looks streaky. I will keep trying and playing though.
My most recent painting- A "Flying Saucer" cactus flower.
12x16" Watercolor on Aquabord
(Limited edition prints available, here)
Okay, so, last thing! One of the great parts of painting on Aquabord is not having to frame with glass. I can seal the painting with glossy UV spray varnish or with wax for a more matte finish like an oil or acrylic painting.
Framing without glass allows the texture and details to shine through. There isn't glass in the way to cause glare and reflections, which I think can improve the intimate connection the viewer can have with the piece.
I really love the look of these panels displayed in a floating frame. I have seen a few tutorials on how to make them. I'm hoping my dad will help me make a few, because they are pricy!
I'd like to get into showing my work in a gallery setting, and that is the purpose of the larger paintings I've been doing. I'm such a slowww painter though, so who knows when that can be a reality!
Thanks for reading,
Laurie