Our paints are made for watercolor paper, like the cotton-paper sketchbook in your kit, and that's where they work best. You're welcome to experiment on other surfaces, but results can vary a lot, so we recommend testing first.
What should I know before I try?
- Watercolor needs a surface that soaks up water. On smooth or sealed surfaces, the paint can bead up, look patchy or wipe off.
- Watercolor stays water-soluble. A drop of water can reactivate it, even after it dries.
- Our paints are water-based and washable from clothes, so they aren't designed to stay on fabric through washing.
How do I test a new surface?
- Pick a small, hidden spot or a spare piece of the material.
- Paint a few swatches using creamy paint and a damp, not dripping, brush.
- Let it dry completely, then check how the color looks.
- Touch it gently with a damp fingertip to see whether the color moves.
What about wood, canvas or fabric?
- Wood: raw, unsealed wood may take some color, but it can soak in unevenly. Sealed or varnished wood often doesn't hold watercolor well.
- Canvas: regular canvas is usually prepared for acrylic or oil paint, so watercolor may not stick well.
- Fabric: the color may wash out, especially when the item gets wet or is washed.
If you'd like a painting on another object, a lovely option is to paint on paper and then frame it, glue it onto a card, or add it to a gift.
Good to know
Our sketchbook paper is made for watercolor. To learn which other materials work well on it, see "Can I use colored pencils, pastels or other paints with the kit?"