Revolutionizing Watercolor: My Journey with Artefex Chartapanel
Discovering the Perfect Surface for Watercolor Painting
When I rediscovered my passion for painting in 2017, I never imagined the journey it would take me on. From a hobby to a life discipline, my quest for excellence in art led me to explore various materials and techniques. Today, I want to share my experience with a game-changing product for watercolor artists: Artefex Chartapanel.
The Evolution of My Artistic Journey
In the summer of 2017, I had a life-altering month. I had painted in high school and received recognition for my work, but I set aside art for many years. I had tentatively picked up a brush a year earlier, and now I was surprised at the passion for painting consuming me. I thought about painting all day and dreamed paintings at night. That summer, I had a deeply spiritual experience which moved art from a hobby to a discipline in my life. I determined to create art for the rest of my life. If I truly applied myself, how well could I paint?
Dedication to Artistic Excellence
I have spent many, many hours observing life and nature, composing, painting, experimenting, etc. Time well spent working out what I wanted to create and ensuring that I was producing my very best. I wanted my art to be worth the sacrifices I and my family made so that I could create. Some of that journey has been spent investigating materials to enhance my process to create excellent art. It’s been fun!
The Allure of Watercolor Painting
My first love in art was watercolor. I paint with oils, but I don’t want to abandon my skill, love, and processes working with watercolor paints. People say that watercolor is the most difficult medium to work with, but I found it easy. My skills with oil paints have increased. But I find joy in the fluency, unplanned surprises, and happy mistakes of watercolor.
The Quest for the Perfect Watercolor Painting Panel
In my investigation of the best supports for my watercolor work, I began experimenting with mounting my paintings onto rigid surfaces. I wanted to preserve my work in the best way possible.
Challenges with Traditional Framing
When I framed watercolor paintings, I was unsatisfied with the final presentation:
- Museum quality glass is very expensive and breakable.
- Acrylic glazing is so easily damaged.
- Stretching damages the sizing in the paper.
- Not stretching leaves you with wrinkles and waves in the paper.
Experimenting with Mounting Techniques
I have mounted my watercolor paintings to panels, cradled panels, MDF, and other archival surfaces. In my oil paintings, I had painted on linen mounted to ACM (aluminum composite material), and I loved the results. Could watercolor paper mounted to ACM be similar?
Discovering Artefex Chartapanel: A Game-Changer for Watercolor Artists
Mounting your completed work to panel is not for the faint of heart. The risk of ruin to the painting is real. I have paid the costs, but I have learned through my mistakes. I began looking for paper pre-mounted to ACM, and I discovered Artefex Chartapanel.
What is Artefex Chartapanel?
Artefex Chartapanel (614) is Arches watercolor paper mounted to ACM. It is rigid and archival. But you may be asking if it behaves the same as normal watercolor paper. I asked the same question.
Working with Chartapanel: Tips and Techniques
Like every new support, there is a learning curve involved, but if you, like me, are looking for a way to present your work in the best way possible, then I would suggest you give Artefex Chartapanel a try.
- Absorbency: I find that Chartapanel is a bit thirstier than typical Arches watercolor paper.
- Drying time: It tends to dry a bit more rapidly than paper alone; however, I have adjusted my technique to accommodate this.
- Results: I have been pleased with the outcomes.
- Varnishing: This allows me to frame without using glass.
The Benefits of Using Artefex Chartapanel for Professional Art
I am pleased to present my watercolor paintings on archival surfaces free from wrinkling or vulnerability to ripping or tearing. The finished work is beautiful, durable, and archival.
Key Advantages of Chartapanel
- Durability: Resistant to tearing and ripping.
- Archival quality: Ensures long-lasting preservation of your artwork.
- Versatility: Can be framed without glass when varnished.
Conclusion:
For watercolor artists seeking to elevate their work to professional standards, Artefex Chartapanel offers an innovative solution. By combining the beloved texture of Arches watercolor paper with the stability of ACM, this art panel addresses many of the challenges traditionally associated with watercolor painting. As I continue my artistic journey, I’m excited to explore the possibilities that Chartapanel brings to my watercolor creations.