Uploaded January 2024 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
In this video, I demonstrate how to mount (glue) watercolour paper to cradled wood panel. I love to use cradled wood panels, and wood blocks for a different way to present my finished artwork. Watercolour art can be mounted to wood and finished with a cold wax medium, such as Dorland's or Gamblin wax medium. Acrylic paintings on paper can be mounted to wood and finished with an acrylic varnish. I like to use both Liquetex matte gel medium as my "glue", and also as a gloss varnish when I am sealing/finishing acrylic work on paper. In this video I talk about the type of wood panels that I have used and enjoy working with. I have included the beginning steps, right through to how to trim off excess paper around the edges of the panel after 12-24hrs of drying time. I also like to paint the edges of my panels with acrylic paint, and sometimes add details with paint pens.
Supplies:
Art on paper (90lbs to 140lb watercolour paper)
Cradled wood panels , or wood surface, or art journal cover
Glue - "gel medium" or inexpensive Mod Podge. (Liquetex matte gel medium is my recommendation if your budge allows)
Gloves- optional
Brayer/ flattening tool/rolling pin
Baby wipe/wet clean rag/ paper towel (damp on one side)
Cutting board/Self healing mat
exacto knife
Tack cloth (optional) hardware store wood cloth
Acrylic paint pen/ paint for edges (optional)
Soft makeup sponge for application of paint to edges (optional)
Flat hard surface (I use my countertop/glass table)
Heavy books or object for flattening
Wax/parchment/paper
Sandpaper- fine, soft grain (optional)
Links :
Cradled wood panels :
"Destination Art", "Kensington Art Supply", or "Inglewood Art Store" , Calgary AB , Canada Art stores.
Or Visit your local art store and ask for "cradled wood panels", often there are many square and rectangular sizes to choose from. (6"sq is a good starter size). Many companies offer them in sets of 3, at a lower pricepoint.
Cradled wood panels (Michael's) (set of 3)
canada.michaels.com/en/cradled-wood-painting-panel-pack-by-artists-loft-necessities
Cradled wood panels from Amazon Canada
amazon.ca/Unfinished-Supplies-Painting-Encaustic-Acrylics/dp/B09KGP778X/ref=asc_df_B09KGP778X/?tag=googleshopc0c-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=578924462396&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=14308115695501401000&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9001333&hvtargid=pla-1652348925751&psc=1&mcid=368a34a74ea530f486026447a2d5fcde
Glue: Liquetex matte gel medium
deserres.ca/products/matte-gel?variant=39362135883909&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAnfmsBhDfARIsAM7MKi1McwzXc2zwtIxp14hgNaoSmIH7ADDb10BaRUSNXxjt9N-qRhMVb5oaAuUyEALw_wcBAcrylic
Paint (optional): Iridescent copper light (fine) by Golden
canada.michaels.com/en/golden-artist-colors-iridescent-acrylic-paint-2oz./10196582.html?r=g&cm_mmc=PLASearch-_-google-_-MICH_Shopping_CA_N_Art+Supplies_N_PMAX_BOPIS_N-_-Generic&kpid=go_cmp-18653424466_adg-_ad-__dev-c_ext-_prd-10196582&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAnfmsBhDfARIsAM7MKi369BWmoVoaLo1B4oLq8g87nHoLWCHWuU_tvmtJZoGgABmOER4fB1AaAodJEALw_wcB
Dorland's or Gamblin cold wax to seal/finish watercolours (optional depending on how you seal/protect your art).
Note- I do not show the process of sealing and protecting the art after it has been mounted to panel.
Acrylic paint pens (optional for decorating edges of panel): I like "Posca " paint pens: mention Posca Bronze chisel tip paint pen.
Paper that is 98lbs or 140 lbs Canson XL watercolour/mixed media paper/ Arche's cold pressed paper.
In this video, I demonstrate how to mount (glue) watercolour paper to cradled wood panel. I love to use cradled wood panels, and wood blocks for a different way to present my finished artwork. Watercolour art can be mounted to wood and finished with a cold wax medium, such as Dorland's or Gamblin wax medium. Acrylic paintings on paper can be mounted to wood and finished with an acrylic varnish. I like to use both Liquetex matte gel medium as my "glue", and also as a gloss varnish when I am sealing/finishing acrylic work on paper. In this video I talk about the type of wood panels that I have used and enjoy working with. I have included the beginning steps, right through to how to trim off excess paper around the edges of the panel after 12-24hrs of drying time. I also like to paint the edges of my panels with acrylic paint, and sometimes add details with paint pens.
Supplies:
Art on paper (90lbs to 140lb watercolour paper)
Cradled wood panels , or wood surface, or art journal cover
Glue - "gel medium" or inexpensive Mod Podge. (Liquetex matte gel medium is my recommendation if your budge allows)
Gloves- optional
Brayer/ flattening tool/rolling pin
Baby wipe/wet clean rag/ paper towel (damp on one side)
Cutting board/Self healing mat
exacto knife
Tack cloth (optional) hardware store wood cloth
Acrylic paint pen/ paint for edges (optional)
Soft makeup sponge for application of paint to edges (optional)
Flat hard surface (I use my countertop/glass table)
Heavy books or object for flattening
Wax/parchment/paper
Sandpaper- fine, soft grain (optional)
Links :
Cradled wood panels :
"Destination Art", "Kensington Art Supply", or "Inglewood Art Store" , Calgary AB , Canada Art stores.
Or Visit your local art store and ask for "cradled wood panels", often there are many square and rectangular sizes to choose from. (6"sq is a good starter size). Many companies offer them in sets of 3, at a lower pricepoint.
Cradled wood panels (Michael's) (set of 3)
canada.michaels.com/en/cradled-wood-painting-panel-pack-by-artists-loft-necessities
Cradled wood panels from Amazon Canada
amazon.ca/Unfinished-Supplies-Painting-Encaustic-Acrylics/dp/B09KGP778X/ref=asc_df_B09KGP778X/?tag=googleshopc0c-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=578924462396&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=14308115695501401000&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9001333&hvtargid=pla-1652348925751&psc=1&mcid=368a34a74ea530f486026447a2d5fcde
Glue: Liquetex matte gel medium
deserres.ca/products/matte-gel?variant=39362135883909&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAnfmsBhDfARIsAM7MKi1McwzXc2zwtIxp14hgNaoSmIH7ADDb10BaRUSNXxjt9N-qRhMVb5oaAuUyEALw_wcBAcrylic
Paint (optional): Iridescent copper light (fine) by Golden
canada.michaels.com/en/golden-artist-colors-iridescent-acrylic-paint-2oz./10196582.html?r=g&cm_mmc=PLASearch-_-google-_-MICH_Shopping_CA_N_Art+Supplies_N_PMAX_BOPIS_N-_-Generic&kpid=go_cmp-18653424466_adg-_ad-__dev-c_ext-_prd-10196582&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAnfmsBhDfARIsAM7MKi369BWmoVoaLo1B4oLq8g87nHoLWCHWuU_tvmtJZoGgABmOER4fB1AaAodJEALw_wcB
Dorland's or Gamblin cold wax to seal/finish watercolours (optional depending on how you seal/protect your art).
Note- I do not show the process of sealing and protecting the art after it has been mounted to panel.
Acrylic paint pens (optional for decorating edges of panel): I like "Posca " paint pens: mention Posca Bronze chisel tip paint pen.
Paper that is 98lbs or 140 lbs Canson XL watercolour/mixed media paper/ Arche's cold pressed paper.
