Learning Yupo

As I mentioned in my last post watercolor is an unpredictable medium to use.

I am doing fairly well using watercolor paper at this point, but I am also fascinated by the effects of watercolor on Yupo, a synthetic paper originally designed for printing. This paper feels like plastic. It acts like plastic, which allows for much dripping and sliding of paint on the surface. It does not absorb water or paint. It can be completely wiped off. It is difficult to layer without making muddy color and can be challenging to do fine details. It dries with bright brilliant color.

I had experimented with it a few times and wanted to know more about working with Yupo techniques. Yupo paper is great for watercolor pencil.
I especially love the earthy colors of the Derwent Graphitint pencils

I recently rented a video Called 'Dancing with Yupo' from a website that specializes in workshop videos called Smartflix. It is great way to get to do a workshop in your own home for much less the cost of buying the CD or attending a painting workshop. Often when I paint during a workshop, the end result is pretty bad, but if I apply the techniques learned in the workshop to my own sketch or idea it comes out much better than I had hoped.

I had done this sketch of a hydrangea years ago, and decided to trace it and see if I could manage to produce anything at all.

This was the result.





The painting looks better in real life I think. But I thought I would share my experience.
I tried photographing it as well as scanning to reproduce the image. This is the scanned image that would not fit completely on my scanner. The edges are clipped in the photo. The painting looks wonderful matted and framed.

The transparent layers are the result of lifting off layers of wash with tissue and embossing with a small paint roller. The white of the flowers were wiped out with tissue a wet brush and wiping technique that lifts the transparent color off the paper.

Working with Yupo is a loose and enjoyable way to create some thing interesting. Especially after doing a few tight botanical portraits. This shifts the energy into a little fun and whimsy that surprises.

Here is a web demo that illustrates how it works.

Enjoy!