During these last months of September and October, I have embarked on a project to create and build a composite artwork of 8 paintings using 8 panels each measuring 22 in x 30 in.

I am using a new surface to paint on and have been enjoying the experimentation phase with this new medium.   The choice to transition to this new painting surface was based on a need to expand my work as a painter towards a work process that would allow me to adapt and extend the range of possibilities for my use of watercoIor and gouache as painting mediums alongside acrylic and even pastel and oil.   The surface is Aquabord — manufactured by Ampersand.

As I mentioned in my prior post, I recently completed a project for TERI and used Ampersand’s Gessobord panels; these truly were fun to paint on with both watercolor and acrylic paints.

From my initial painting experience as a watercolorist, the actual work of painting on the Aquabord surface has really been rather different from working on watercolor paper. I must admit it was a bit tedious at first.

New Aquabord surface painting

But, I had one of those moments of inspiration on how to tackle this problem of navigating with this new medium! And thankfully, the idea of painting simultaneously with both the new board surface and the watercolor paper and doing so side by side has been the key.

The direct ongoing experience of painting, with the repeated subtle differences and the variations in responsiveness of each surface to the application of paint and water, has finally started to lead to the results I had hoped for.

The Aquabord artwork does read as a watercolor painting should!  And it does allow for some nice subtle washes and other particular nuances needed by and of special interest to a watercolorist.

Two artworks side by side in studio

Ongoing watercolor painting

There will be more photos to come of these paintings and the 8 panel artwork in future postings!