• Home
  • Blog
  • Paintings for Sale
  • Painting Course
  • Top Painting Tips
    • Prints
  • Art Coaching
  • Resources
  • Free Download
  • Artist Statement
  • Podcast
  • Painting Podcast
  • Contact
  • Reference and Tutorial
Malcolm Dewey Fine Art
  • Home
  • Blog
  • Paintings for Sale
  • Painting Course
  • Top Painting Tips
    • Prints
  • Art Coaching
  • Resources
  • Free Download
  • Artist Statement
  • Podcast
  • Painting Podcast
  • Contact
  • Reference and Tutorial

How to Frame Gouache Paintings Without Glass (Full Demo)

3/5/2020

Comments

 
How to Frame Gouache Paintings Without Glass
You love painting in gouache and so do I, but it is a pity framing gouache is such a hassle. Matte boards and glass increase expenses and glass breaks. What if you could frame gouache paintings without glass? This article and the videos will show you exactly how to do just that. I am also going to show you how to make super convenient painting panels for gouache too.

Get the full process below plus the videos. Let’s begin.

The Paper Painting Panel
The best surface for gouache, in my opinion, is watercolor paper. Preferably cold press 300gsm (140lbs) paper. It does not have to be expensive either. The absorbency and texture make gouache much easier to use. The versatility of the paper for painting effects is also very good. 

But paper has issues too. You need to tape it to a board when painting. Alternatively you can work on a paper pad but that is usually heavy and quite thick. What if you could paint on a panel? The paper needs to be fixed to a light and portable painting panel. 

Yes there are proprietary panels that offer this already. But they are not available everywhere and can be expensive. Also finding your favorite paper on a panel is unlikely. Worry not because I am going to show you how you can make your own panels.

​
Panel Making Method
I have taken inexpensive foam core panels and cut them to size. The idea is to stick your watercolor paper onto a panel and make your own light and portable water media panels.You can use these for watercolor as well as gouache.

The adhesive should be a water based glue that is also acid free. Finding acid free glue is difficult in my area so I have decided to apply a gesso primer to the rear of the watercolor paper. This is simply a barrier between the paper and the glue. Not perfect, but it is something.

As an alternative to foam core you may be able to get Gator Board which is a fancier and more expensive option. Not available to me, but nice if you can find it.

Okay once the gesso has dried you can apply the glue to the foam core by brushing it on evenly. Leave no gaps. Then lay the paper down over the glue and smooth out all air bubbles under the paper. A craft roller is ideal to get all air out. Air bubbles are a nuisance if you see one appear later. Once there it is next to impossible to get rid of it.

Place a clean card over the panel then a few heavy books to press the paper down onto the panel. Allow this to dry for an hour or two. Once dry you have a nice watercolor paper painting panel.

​Paint and Seal Your Masterpiece
Now you can use the panel for your gouache painting. When the painting has dried fully it is time to seal it against the elements and other minor mishaps. This means a good varnish, but you cannot brush it either. The gouache will reactivate and your painting will be ruined.

​
The answer is to spray the varnish on to the painting. I prefer to apply four layers of spray varnish. Two coats of gloss varnish followed by two coats of satin varnish. You can use matte varnish instead of satin if you want. Both options remove some of the glossy appearance of gloss.

The first two gloss layers make for a strong barrier or water resistant varnish. Make sure that each layer is completely dry before the next layer. About twenty minutes minimum between layers.

After the fourth layer the painting is sealed. I have tested it with water and rubbing a brush over the painting with no sign of the paint reactivating. Hopefully your painting will not be subjected to anything worse than that.

Types of Varnish Spray
There are many brands of spray varnish. Popular brands like Krylon offer varnish for oils and acrylic paintings. Use these types of varnish as you will not find a varnish specifically for gouache or watercolor. You must remember that you are taking a risk on something unintended by these manufacturers.

Top Tip: Use Water Based Varnish Spray
The varnish spray I used in this experiment is made by a Belgian company called Ghiant. It is water based and is available in gloss, satin and matte. The great thing is that it has ninety percent less solvents. The spray has significantly less volatile smells which is a great improvement. I used the spray in a ventilated room with no problems.

Typical solvent filled sprays are best used outdoors due to their toxic vapours. The waterbased Ghiant spray is a big improvement over regular sprays.

Sealed and Ready for Framing
You will notice that water based sprays tend to look a little smoky after application. They dry clear though and you must not panic if you see this whitish appearance. When spraying avoid stopping over the painting as you might get drips and overspray bubbles. These may dry away or leave marks if very big.

Now that you have the sealed painting you can pop it into a frame. There you have a framed gouache painting without glass and matte board. Looks rather good doesn’t it?

​
Gouache painting framed without glass.
The final painting framed and ready to hang up.

Start Your Gouache Painting Course with Me

Learn more: 

Gouache Painting Course

Pin for later ...

How to frame gouache paintings without glass:

Comments
    FREE Book
    Picture

    Color Tips for Artists:
    ​Free
    Picture

    Book Bundle Special
    See More
    Picture

    Author

    Malcolm Dewey: Artist. Country: South Africa
    View Portfolio:

    Picture

    Archives

    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    December 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012

    Categories

    All
    Art Business
    Artist Notes
    Books Worth Every Dime!
    Its An Artists Life
    Musings
    News
    Painting Course
    Painting Demonstration
    Painting Tips
    Podcasts
    Popular Posts Archive
    Reviews


    Picture

    Picture

    Visit Malcolm Dewey Fine Art's profile on Pinterest.

    FREE
    ​GUIDE

    Picture

    RSS Feed


    Picture

    Picture

Studio:  Troon Crescent, Port Alfred, South Africa
​Malcolm Dewey Fine Art is committed to top quality art, excellent educational material and having a great time! To back that up all works sold come with a 30 Day Money Back Guarantee. Simply return the work, undamaged, within 30 days. Returns at purchaser expense. All transaction are protected by third party bank-level encryption to keep your information safe. Plus your email address is safe. No spam - ever!

​Copyright 2010-2020: Malcolm Dewey Fine Art
​
Picture
30 Day Money Back
Picture
Secure Transactions
Picture
Picture
No Spam Ever!
Photos used under Creative Commons from maHidoodi, buggolo, Fabio Téllez
  • Home
  • Blog
  • Paintings for Sale
  • Painting Course
  • Top Painting Tips
    • Prints
  • Art Coaching
  • Resources
  • Free Download
  • Artist Statement
  • Podcast
  • Painting Podcast
  • Contact
  • Reference and Tutorial