Watercolor Research Notes [How to Trace Lines onto Watercolor Paper Part 2]

Hello! This is Kazuya. In today's watercolor research note, I will continue from last time and write about tracing.

▶How to trace lines onto watercolor paper Part 1
▶How to trace lines onto watercolor paper Supplement

▶Click here for previous watercolor research notes

1. Homemade transfer sheet (recommended)

The most recommended method for tracing lines onto watercolor paper isthe method using a homemade transfer sheet.I learned this method at the Harusaki Watercolor Painting Class, which I always frequent. This is the method I always use.

You know how there iscarbon paperused for transferring letters and pictures? You can make it yourself.

This is the homemade transfer sheet I use.

It's easy to make.

1. How to make: Prepare tracing paper

You can make it in any size you like. If possible, a size equal to or slightly larger than the watercolor paper you often use is convenient. Think of it as being around A4 to B4 size.

2. Apply pencil to one side

Using a dark pencil like 4B to 6B, scribble evenly over one side.

3. Blend with a tissue

Use a tissue to blend the pencil lines. This fills in the gaps between the pencil lines and makes the darkness uniform.

4. Completion

It's done once it looks completely black like this.

You can use it over and over again until it tears. With this, you don't have to apply pencil to the back of tracing paper or copy paper every time, and you don't need to buy carbon paper.

5. How to use

The method is quite simple.Just like in the previous article, 2. Copy Paper, prepare a copy of the image you want to trace. Then, secure it to the watercolor paper with masking tape. Place the transfer sheet between the copy paper and the watercolor paper.
*Please make sure the side with the pencil graphite is facing down (touching the watercolor paper).

Please give it a try!
▶Supplementary article: Comparison with commercially available carbon paper and tracing paper!

2. Printer

I can't be bothered to trace everything bit by bit!!!For those who feel this way, there is also a method of using a printer to print only the lines onto the watercolor paper.

1. Example of a printout artwork

This was first sketched on comic paper. Then, it was scanned into a PC and the density and other settings were adjusted using an app.

After that, I print the lines onto watercolor paper and color them.

Watercolor painting is a one-shot deal. Considering the risks and effort if you happen to fail, printing just the lines is one viable approach.
After all, there are no rules anywhere that say you shouldn't trace lines or that you shouldn't use digital equipment for analog art, or that it's cheating! So, isn't it best to choose the method that suits you?

If you print out even just a portion of the lines, it becomes easy to draw with different colors.

2. Disadvantages of printing out

To everyone who thought, "If I print it out, it'll be easy! I'll do that right away!"... I am truly sorry. Actually, while it may seem simple, it is not that easy...

Most home printers use dye-based ink. Yes, dye-based ink has the weakness of being vulnerable to water.Therefore, even if you can print onto watercolor paper, there is a possibility that it will bleed depending on the amount of water used.
I have access to a printer with water-resistant pigment ink and a laser printer, so it is not an issue for me, but if all the inks in your printer are dye-based, please try a test first.

Also, compared to plain paper, watercolor paper is difficult to feed into the printer (tears)!
Sometimes the rollers just won't catch the paper. You would think it would be easy to grab since the surface has texture, but...
It goes without saying that you cannot use thick block paper, so please fix the printed paper to a board or similar surface with masking tape to prevent it from warping while you color.

That concludes the methods for tracing lines onto watercolor paper. Since it would have become too long, I will post the content I couldn't include in a supplementary article at a later date✨