Paint on Aquaboard: you get the beauty and freedom of watercolor with no hassle

Watercolor paintings on aquaboard require no stretching, mats or glass.

today we have multiple choices for watercolor supplies.

• Watercolors are traditionally done on paper. Arches has an excellent reputation for papers.
  

• Today watercolors may even be done on canvas made for watercolor.

• In addition to paper and canvas, we have special hard-boards made for watercolors.

Get "Freedom" in your paintings

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my watercolor story

When the paintings started running out of our extra bedroom, my husband suggested we start doing outdoor street festivals.

The watercolor paintings were on traditional watercolor paper. They were matted and framed under glass.

disaster struck

We enjoyed doing the street festivals. Then, at a festival on the Gulf Coast of Florida the winds started gusting up to 60 MPH.

• Some of the artist's tents started blowing down!

We were afraid to allow customers into the tent. If the tent went down with people inside, there was a chance they could be injured by broken glass.

• The paintings were in danger, too.

If paper watercolor paintings get moisture behind the glass, they could be water stained or grow mildew. The painting could be damaged permanently.

Find out more about watercolor paper.

i had to find another way

After we came home from the festival I started searching catalogues and magazines for watercolor art supplies. I came across Ampersand's Claybord. It is hardboard covered with pH neutral kaolin clay. It is an archival support.

Claybord has a smooth surface like hot press watercolor paper.

Then Ampersand started making Aquabord. (They left the "a" out of aquaboard to make their brand name.)

It has a texture similar to traditional cold press watercolor paper.

These panels may also be used for any water based media such as; gouache, acrylic or ink.

what are the advantages of aquaboard?

you may frame the paintings without a mat or glass

The paintings are much lighter weight because they don't need to frame with glass. They are resistant to dirt, moisture and mildew.

There is no glare from glass. And no danger of broken glass.

you may even display your paintings without frames

You may get the panels cradled on the front of a wood support. Then you may hang and display the painting without a frame.

no stretching is necessary

Unlike watercolor paper, the Aquaboard will not buckle or warp no matter how much water you apply.

paintings shine with brilliant color

Get lively colors on Aquabord

• My favorite thing about painting on aquaboard is the beautiful colors.

The light reflects off the clay surface and shines up thru your watercolors to create bold, lively colors.

Watercolors on paper sink into the paper and they lose their brilliance.

you may remove paint from aquabord or claybord

Lift wet paint off with a damp, soft brush. If the layer of paint underneath has dried, it will remain fixed when you take off the top layer.

Take dry paint off with a damp, stiff brush to remove paint all the way down to the surface.

You may also use a knife, claybord tools or sandpaper to make highlights and remove paint.

• When the painting is thoroughly dry, apply 2-3 coats of Krylon UV resistant spray.

The spray protects the painting and it does not require a mat or glass for display.

Aquabord is an awesome choice!

• Today Aquabord is my go-to watercolor support. I have been using Ampersand products for over 15 years and I am very pleased with them!

aquabord
by ampersand

krylon UV
resistant spray

ampersand
took kit

Get Aquaboard today for lively, colorful watercolors!

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