How to stretch watercolour paper
Have you ever tried laying a background watercolour wash only to find that the paper buckles up with the water, creating pools of water and pigment in some areas, and peaks in others? Do you find that your paper doesn't sit flat even once all the paint has dried? Paper expands when it gets wet, and shrinks as it dries, but stretching watercolour paper prior to use can fix this problem. Have you tried stretching watercolour paper in the past, only to find that your stretching
Making a 'mahl stick bridge' for pastels - "Lazy Days" WIP1-2
Do you get hand smudges on your pastel paintings? Can't work in fine details because you can't steady your hand against the surface? Can't find a mahl stick or bridge to suit your style? Maybe you need to make one yourself! If you've ever used soft pastels, you'd be familiar with their ability to rub off on your fingers and smudge on the paper with the slightest touch. This lends itself to one of the greatest joys of pastel painting (beautifully smooth colour blending), but a
