When it comes to painting, many beginning artists start with watercolors. Their distinct style and relative ease of use (though challenging to master) make them ideal for painting.

While watercolor papers come in various shapes, sizes, and formats (I personally love my watercolor notebook for field painting), wood is a surface that intrigues many watercolorists.

Wood offers a unique surface in several ways. Naturally, the grain can be absolutely beautiful, adding another dimension to your watercolor painting. Additionally, wood can create a distinctive piece that stands out from the rest.

However, there's a catch: you shouldn't simply paint on a raw slab of wood. Without proper preparation, thinner watercolor paint may absorb unevenly, and the results may not meet your expectations.

In this article, we'll explore everything you need to know about using watercolors on wood, from preparation to painting and preservation.

Prepping The Wood For Watercolor

Depending on the source of your wood, additional preparation may be necessary before applying watercolors. Here are some general guidelines:

Sanding Your Wood

If you're using an existing piece of wood not purchased from an art retailer, ensure the surface is suitable for watercolor paints. We recommend using a finer grit sandpaper, typically between 360 to 600. This provides enough tooth for painting without making the surface too coarse (more on grit sizes).

Always sand in a well-ventilated area, especially with fine grit sandpaper, as particles can cause respiratory or eye irritation.

Dust Removal

Too many fibers on the wood surface can interfere with your painting. While texture is desirable, excessive wood fibers can cause clumping and control issues.

You can remove dust by blowing it off or using:

Vacuum: Use a bristle brush attachment to clean the surface thoroughly, following and crossing the grain.
Compressed Air: A can of compressed air works well for removing tiny shavings from crevices (use it outside).

Priming Your Wood For Watercolor Paints

While watercolor paints use gum arabic as a binding agent, it may struggle to adhere to wood. Here are some common primers used by watercolorists:

Gesso

Gesso is a primer used across painting mediums. It prepares surfaces, allowing paint to adhere better. For example, unprepared canvas absorbs oil paint, but gesso prevents this, saving paint and money.

Similarly, gesso prevents watercolors from being absorbed too deeply into wood. However, it can obscure the wood grain, which may be undesirable. A light coat or light sanding can help retain some grain.

Watercolor Ground

Daniel Smith Watercolor Ground is an excellent primer for wood. Available in six finishes (Buff Titanium, Iridescent Gold, Mars Black, Pearlescent White, Titanium White, Transparent), it offers flexibility in appearance.

The Iridescent Gold finish enhances the wood grain without looking synthetic. This primer can also be used on fabric, metal, plastic, and glass, expanding your painting options.

How To Paint Watercolor On Wood Panel

Depending on your watercolor consistency, many artists prefer painting on a flat surface. However, this depends on your prep work and experience. Consider paint absorption and watercolor mixture consistency to determine the best approach.

Sealing Watercolor On Wood With The Right Varnish

Varnishes preserve paintings for years, especially in high-humidity areas. While paper paintings behind glass may not need varnish, wood paintings benefit from a protective top layer.

Varnishes like Krylon Gallery Series UV Archival Varnish dry quickly, prevent discoloration, and won't yellow, ensuring your painting remains vibrant.

Watercoloring on Almost Wood

For artists seeking a simpler alternative, Aquaboard is worth considering. Its textured clay surface offers the absorbency and rigidity of wood without the prep work.

Taking Command Of Watercolor On Wood

These guidelines are starting points for painting on wood panels. As you gain experience, you'll refine your process. Proper preparation and priming are key to achieving better results with watercolors on alternative surfaces.