watercolour and rock salt??

[chelsea25]

Can anyone tell me how to create patterns on watercolor, i have been told to try rock salt , but didnt really work?

cheersx

[gen2]

Salt can be used to create textures in watercolours.  The salt has to be applied to the paint while it is still wet.  It does not work just by wetting a finished painting.

Put a wash of colour onto a sheet of w/c paper or work quickly using a wet into wet technique.  Lay the paper flat and sprinkle coarse salt over the area.  A variety of sizes of salt lumps will create a more varied result. Leave the whole lot to dry naturally over several hours.  When thoroughly dry, brush off any remaining salt.

I have seen the same method applied to silk painting with effective results.

[gen2]

I should have said above that the paper needs to be stretched and taped to a board first in order to keep it flat.

Another way of getting a texture/pattern is to first dampen the paper and then pour or drip watercolour onto the surface.  You could also use inks which give a brighter result.  You then lay a crumpled sheet of clingfilm over the wet surface.  The idea is not to stretch it an get rid of the wrinkles, but to use the wrinkles to give the random texture.  Try not to trap air between the clingfilm and the paper.  Leave to dry for a few days.  The moisture cannot dry through the clingfilm, so instead had to dry out through the wooden backing board and that is slow.

[gen2]

Have you tried this yet?  Have you got it to work?

[chelsea25]

Yeah I bought some rock salt, and it didnt work, I was told it was too course.

Got to buy some more - thanks for all your help

chelsea