Play & Get Loose On Beautiful Paper

I feel it’s important sometimes as Artists to give ourselves permission to play, explore and experiment with our gorgeous art supplies without an “outcome” in mind. Usually, an art journal is a great venue for this type of exploration. But, I also enjoy taking my better 140-300 lb paper, either in a paper pad, block or as loose sheets and just “mess around” on it.

How else are you going to find out the way various paints work on beautiful papers if you are saving those special papers, or even other surfaces for that matter, for when you’re a better artist or have just the right subject to paint… My advice? Venture out and experiment on the best surfaces you can afford. You might discover something amazing!

What If I Don’t Like The Results?

If you don’t make an earth-shattering discovery or paint something you’re happy with, here are some suggestions to reuse or recycle your experiments:

Flip the Paper Over and Paint on the Back,
Cut Out Any Part You Like and Glue It in Your Journal - Make Notes,
Make Mini-Art ACEO’s or Artist Trading Cards 2.5” x 3.5”,
Cut Sections to Make Greeting Cards,
Cut Sections and Make Bookmarks,
Cut Sections to Make Gift Tags,
Keep Painting In Layers Over Top ‘Till You’re Happy*,
Use Acrylic Gesso or a Watercolor Ground to Cover and Start Again!

*Spray a quick layer of fixative over the piece if it contains rewettable paints (watercolor, gouache, inks, charcoal, pastel, etc.) and continue right over top.

Some Fun Paints To Stretch Your Imagination

Here are some fun paints I recommend experimenting with that appear in my photo above. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Derwent Inktense Color Blocks 12 Set - https://amzn.to/41h4ZRf
Derwent Inktense Color Blocks 24 Set - https://amzn.to/3tejcle
Derwent Inktense Color Blocks 72 Set - https://amzn.to/3NlA4xp
Bombay India Inks Set 1 - https://amzn.to/48cqTY7
Bombay India Inks Set 2 - https://amzn.to/3tkCUvC
Dr Ph Martins Iridescent Copper Plate Gold Ink Single - https://amzn.to/3GHciZ6
Dr Ph Martins Iridescent Inks Set 1 - https://amzn.to/3No1IK6
Dr Ph Martins Iridescent Inks Set 2 - https://amzn.to/3vrJm4S
Speedball Sketching Dip Pen Set - https://amzn.to/3GHJTlE
Pigma Micron Pens Set - https://amzn.to/3TkjbH6
Princeton Mixed Media Brush Set - https://amzn.to/3uZonpN
Signo Uni Roller Ball Pen Set - https://amzn.to/46YCcBY
Koi Watercolor Travel Set - https://amzn.to/3t6rw6J
Schminke High Quality Tube Watercolor 5ml 12 Set - https://amzn.to/41gC5AN
Gansi Tambi Shimmer Pearl Watercolors - https://amzn.to/3RjeevE
Pebeo Colorex Watercolor Illustration Kit - https://amzn.to/48j6u3L
Pebeo Colorex Watercolor Refillable Markers - https://amzn.to/3NouPwY

Plus, here are some of my favorite papers:

Legion Stonehenge White 100% Cotton Paper - https://amzn.to/472dZuG
Canson Mixed Media Paper - https://amzn.to/3GILIyK
Canson XL Watercolor Paper - https://amzn.to/3tdatzT
Fabriano Hot Press Studio Watercolor Paper - https://amzn.to/3RHWHOU
Arches Cold Press 100% Cotton Paper - https://amzn.to/3RGtRi0

And, here are some of my favorite gesso or watercolor ground paints if you want to cover over your experiments and start again:

Liquitex Basics White Acrylic Gesso - https://amzn.to/47fBUXH
Pebeo Black Acrylic Gesso - https://amzn.to/48aDITa
Daniel Smith Watercolor Ground Titanium White - https://amzn.to/47c1PQ3
Daniel Smith Watercolor Ground Buff Titanium - https://amzn.to/48xcgi2

Ask “What If…?” To Stay Fluid

I love the FREEDOM of experimentation, answering my curious “what if” questions (the answer is always TRY IT!) and making surprising discoveries along the way. What have you been surprised to discover during your own artsy play time? Let me know in the comments below…

Check out and purchase my artworks on Etsy here: 🎨 https://www.etsy.com/shop/TristinaDietzArt

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