Go Big or Go Home? The Challenges (and Rewards) of Painting Large

What happens when we paint outside of our comfort zone and create artwork that’s bigger than usual? Going large can be intimidating, especially in watercolour when erasing mistakes can be tricky. I’ve been working on some full sheet (22” x 30”) paintings recently, and was asked how it makes me work differently to painitng my usual size (around 11” x 14”). Here’s what I’ve noticed, along with some tips that might help you if you’re tempted to try painting large but aren’t sure where to start! If you’ve ever switched up (or down) the size you work, I’d love to hear your experiences too!

Getting Moving

I find that when I’m working at or above 16” x 20”, I have to get up and get moving! I normally paint sitting down, but if I want to create sweeping strokes of sea and sky on a full sheet of paper, I need to stand up so I can really move my whole arm and get the grace and energy I’m looking for in my work.

Brushes, Paper, Paint

Big brushes are definitely essential when I scale up my paintings! Good quality brushes that can hold a lot of pigment are an added bonus- there’s nothing more frustrating than having a brush run out of colour midway through a long stroke on what should be a flat sky. My favourites are my large Da Vinci Casaneo cat’s tongue and my Da Vinci Cosmotop Mix B- but a hake brush is a great affordable option (especially if your style is a bit less fiddly than mine)! Laying even washes on a warm summer’s day would have been very frustrating without them…

Another essential is mixing enough paint. A large brush can hold a huge amount of liquid, so if I’m painting a large area of sky, I’ll use a saucer or dish and mix up more colour than I think I’ll need! I’m usually grateful I did…

Stretching paper can also be a challenge when working on a big watercolour. A large, thin piece of plywood can be useful- and makes it easier to turn or angle the painting as you work on it. Mine also acts as a table extension when my art is almost as large as my work space! 600 gsm (300 lb) paper can be another handy solution- it’s so thick that it can handle washes without much buckling.

From A Distance

I find it’s really important to get some distance from large paintings as I work on them. Literally- I need to prop them up and get across the cabin. This helps me get a feel for how the whole painting is composed and whether colours and values are balanced. Taking photos on my phone and viewing them as thumbnails is really helpful too!

A Cunning Plan

When I’m working on something large, I find planning ahead is really vital. Sketches and colour trials can feel dull and dutiful, but when I’m part way through a full-sheet painting, I usually really appreciate knowing where my darkest darks should go, or being sure that my design works! It helps avoid the worry that I might waste a whole sheet of expensive paper by making a mistake. Of course, if mistakes do happen, it’s sometimes possible to crop the painting into something smaller and more successful. Worst case scenario? Chop up the paper and paint on the back or use it for collage!

Displaying Large Watercolours

The final ‘big painting’ challenge for watercolour artists is framing. As the size of the art increases, so does the weight of the frame- and the cost! I decided to mount my largest paintings on wooden panels. The process takes a bit of time, but the panels are much lighter than a chunk of glass, and the art is well-protected by the process. There’s also something beautiful about looking at a watercolour without glass in the way.

The Rewards

So, with all these challenges, why bother working on anything above 11” x 14”? For starters, there’s the impact of a large painting- they have a definite ‘wow’ factor when they’re on the wall!

I also love the freeing sensation of flourishing my brush over a large area of pristine paper. Working large lets me immerse myself in the gestures and process. I can get lost in the joy of painting, and have so much fun that I don’t worry too much about the outcome.

Finally, I find my painting ability improves every time I work on a bigger painting. Completing one successfully definitely comes with a sense of satisfaction, and I love feeling that I’ve grown as an artist!

Do you have a particular comfort zone when you’re choosing a size to create at? Have you ever ventured out of it to work larger or smaller? What happened? Let me know in the comments- and if you have any tips, please feel free to share!