Black paper is not a new thing, but black 100% cotton paper sized for watercolor is. We introduced Stonehenge Aqua Coldpress Black 140lb / 300gsm about 2 years ago, and we’re excited to announce we’re expanding the range to include Stonehenge Aqua Coldpress Black HEAVY (300lb/600gsm) and Stonehenge Aqua Hotpress Black 140lb/300gsm.
Stonehenge Aqua Black is a gamechanger that’s inspiring new ways to use watercolor, acrylics, gouache, pencils, pastels and more! We interviewed artists using Stonehenge Aqua Black with different mediums. Here are some of their techniques, materials they use and inspiration for using black paper,
Lynn Pratt using Gouache on Stonehenge Aqua Hotpress Black.
In college I studied architecture at Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston. I took many different kinds of art classes, one of them being a watercolor painting class, but I did not have time to pursue it further due to my heavy architecture class load. Later, I started my own architecture firm, Pratt Design. I loved doing architecture and being able to be a mother at the same time. As the kids got a little older, I started watercolor painting as a hobby and fell in love with it all over again. In 2012, with the support of my amazing husband, I switched gears, closed my practice, and turned all of my time to painting and perfecting my craft. I am now working as a full-time professional artist and I’m a signature member in the American Watercolor Society, Vermont Watercolor Society and North East Watercolor Society. I love painting just as much as I love teaching and I started an online school through Patreon in 2019 which I absolutely love. In 2020 I started the Annual Women in Watercolor International Competition and it was a huge success.
Process.
Materials.
Legion Stonehenge Aqua Black Hotpress 140lb watercolor paper, Holbein Gouache (watercolor) Paint, Holbein Gold Round brushesI have tried many brands but find I just can't beat the quality and performance of these.
What you like about the paper? What works well and what challenges do you face?
I have really enjoyed working with Stonehenge Aqua black paper. As a traditional watercolor artist who usually prefers transparent watercolor, I really enjoy switching it up and using the more opaque pigments and gouache. I love the challenge to do the process backwards and paint on the dark paper. With black paper I build up my lighter colors and let the black of the paper come through for my darks instead of building up my darks and letting the white of the paper shine through. You get a completely different feeling from a painting done on black paper versus white and I love the emotional charge it brings to the image.
Where can someone find more of your work?
Website: http://lynndpratt.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lynndprattpaint/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lynndprattpaint/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/lynndpratt
Patreon Online School: https://www.patreon.com/lynndpratt
Rosa F. using Pastel on Stonehenge Aqua Hotpress Black
I’m a self taught artist who loves working with a wide range of mediums and experimenting with different methods. I find that each medium allows me to explore and learn new skills which is why I always introduce new mediums especially when I feel like I’m stuck or have an art block.
Process.
For this lighthouse artwork I started with the background. I placed all the colors for the sky on the paper before going in and smudging the colors together to give it a soft blended effect. To blend the colors I used my fingers however you can also use a paper towel. Because I didn’t want to go over the area where the lighthouse is with the sky colors I used a q-tip to gently smooth out the edges where the sky meets the lighthouse. The light house was a little more difficult, I was very cautious when adding the colors and I used a q-tip to blend the colors and a blending stump to straighten and remove some of the colors to show the dark paper underneath which allowed me to get the tiny details like the railing in the lighthouse balcony.
The paper worked really well with the pastels, I was able to apply and blend the colors perfectly and remove them easily where necessary. The only difficulty I faced was with masking tape. I initially intended on using masking tape to get a clean boarder for the artwork however upon doing a trial I noticed that it removed quiet a bit of the paper so I opted out of using it.
Materials.
I used only a few products to create the artwork. The legion aqua black watercolor paper ,Paul rubens oil pastels, q-tips, and a blending stump.
Where can we find more of your work?
For more of my artwork you can check out my Instagram @rosies.sketchbook.
David R. Becker using Metallic and Transparent Watercolor on Stonehenge Aqua Coldpress Black
David Becker is a commercial Illustrator/Artist turned to full-time artist about 6 years ago, now working as a fine artist and instructor and traveling around the country teaching watercolor and acrylic painting.
Process.
My big thing about using watercolor and acrylics is to Float-Your-Pigment. This statement has worked so well when it comes to teaching my students how to use a water medium on any surface that they can acquire.
Materials.
I use all Holbein high-quality art supplies and I use all legion high-quality surfaces to paint on. I always tell my students to use professional-grade art supplies, student grade is not a grade I think they should even consider. If they want to paint like the pros then use the materials a professional uses.
What worked well with the paper & challenges faced.
I like a surface that is textured in an organic way but I also like that the paper doesn't absorb so much of the paint that it takes away the vibrancy of the colors... Stonehenge Aqua is perfect and has all the qualities I like in a paper. The nice thing is it also now comes black and it gives me a whole other way of thinking when I apply my watercolors or acrylics or pencils to that paper. I always like to try a new approach to painting and the Stonehenge line of Aqua papers helps me change things up.
Learn more about David R. Becker.
https://www.davidrbecker.com or https://www.BeckerArt.net
https://www.pinterest.com/beckerart/watercolorist-david-r-beckers-beckerart-float-your/
https://www.instagram.com/davidrbecker/
Philip Boelter using Gouache on Stonehenge Aqua Hotpress Black
My name is Philip Boelter and I’m an artist and designer. I'm inspired by nature, flora, and landscapes. I have always been drawn to painting flowers and landscapes because I love to relax and enjoy a great view. I love to see the beauty in nature and learn about the different types of flowers and botanicals that surround us. I am a native Southern Californian and grew up going to the beach and mountains. From the pines of Big Bear to the cacti of San Diego – My work is heavily inspired by the Californian landscape.
Process.
Before I begin a painting, I like to brainstorm and sketch out ideas. Lately, I’ve been using the iPad to sketch out ideas using Adobe Fresco. This has been incredibly helpful with selecting a color palette for the piece. Once I sketch an idea that I like, I then begin to lightly sketch my idea on 140lb hotpressed watercolor paper. I also like to give myself a border that is easily matted and frameable. Depending on how much time I have and how detailed I expect the piece to be, I’ll usually set up my camera and video the complete painting process. Once I’m finished with the piece, I like to take pictures of the final piece, scan the artwork, save it onto a hard drive, upload the print to my website, edit my video, and share it on social media. It's a process, but I love to watch the videos as much as I love to see my artwork.
Materials.
I use a pencil, Legion Stonehenge Aqua Watercolor Blocks, Holbein Gouache, Winsor and Newton Series 7 Brushes, a large painter's pan for mixing the gouache, water, and a paper towel.
What worked well with the paper & challenges faced.
I really like the black Stonehenge paper because it’s unlike anything available. It makes for thinking outside the box and trying new styles of art. The black paper acts as a background and works so well with the opaqueness of gouache.
You can find my work including limited originals, signed art prints, and digital downloads on my website boelterdesignco.com. I’m also social on Instagram, YouTube, Pinterest, TikTok, and Facebook. Find me @boelterdesignco.