The above painting was done on masa paper that I crinkled, toned and adhered to 140lb Arches coldpress paper. This is, by far, my favorite surface to paint landscapes on. I like the effect of the crinkled and toned paper. If you are interested in trying a painting on this type of surface, I have outlined how to prepare the paper here. There is more info found here and here.
Leslie White 
41 Comments
Exotic! The subtle crinkles of the paper and the light seaping through the network of nature makes it a stunner! Do you think we can glue the crinkled paper on canvas?
I think you can glue this paper on canvas with the exact same instructions I used to glue it to paper. The thready color comes from the toning of the already crinkled, soaked and toned paper, however, so you would need to probably watercolor that on and allow it to dry, prior to applying it to the canvas. The batik effect will show in areas where you would use your acrylics transparently, but not where they may opaquely block it out. Try it.
Thank you for this comment to my painting, Padmaja. 🙂
you know me by now Leslie, I just sit and stare for ages. Absorbing your artistry and talented ability to give life to a painting in whatever medium you chose. I feel like taking a walk in your Forest if I may. I shall be gone for quite a while. 🙂 xPen
I kind of want to walk through it, myself, Pen. I want to get a better look at the purple mountains I see through the trees. 🙂
Thank you!
Oh how beautiful!! I think this is my favorite yet, Leslie! And it is definitely a piece that will help me when I do a re-do on my last tree piece. I do have masa paper here too. I haven’t recovered from my last attempt on that yet. LOL
Thank you, Sherry. Just remember, after the pigment dries, you can re-wet areas and lift them to allow the batik effect to show through. It’s paint and lift and paint and lift. Good luck! …and have fun! 🙂
This painting glows. I love your masa paper paintings.
Thank you, Carol!
Perhaps I’ll try a painting in this surface. I’ll look for the materials. Thank you!
Hi Nuno,
You could even use glued down masa paper, toned, as a surface for your ink drawings! It will be a little more difficult as the surface won’t be as smooth, but it works! Thank you! 🙂
Simply, love it.
Thank you, Susan! 🙂
Wow! Love it!
Thank you, Caroline! …for the visit and the comment. You get to look at a scene like this just beyond your backyard, everyday. I thought of that while painting this. 🙂
This is an incredible painting. I love your careful placement of the the leaves and the highlights you did for them. The masa paper is intriguing and provides an awesome texture, enhancing, I’d think, any landscape. I am a tree hugger, literally! I can think of few things I like more than walking through a forest, where the trees grow close together, touching each one, hearing nothing but the leaves in the breeze, and perhaps, a whippoorwhil. Very beautiful, Leslie.
Glad to meet another tree hugger, Scott! I have heard of more and more people hugging trees, lately. My sisters hug trees, too. I moved to Arizona for a short time and came racing back. I missed the trees!!! I especially like the sound and smells of a pine forest.
Thank you for your comments about this painting. I truly enjoy working on this surface and don’t care how long it takes me to finish one. I get lost in all the possibilities that these pieces of toned papers offer.
this is gorgeous, I love it. I went to an exhibition today and saw a photo of a finnish forest and thought I’d love to see the image done as an painting – here it is! The central tree trunk is fantastic and the balance of the image perfect. I’ll go back and read your comments now, was just basking in the image!
Thank you, so much, Outside Authority. What a wonderful comment about the finnish forest. 🙂
I find all your different techniques fascinating Leslie. The masa causes this forest scene to feel enchanted.
I have to admit, the old story of “Hansel and Gretel” did pop to mind. It also brought back memories of my trekking through the woodsy trails during girls’ camp years ago. Thank you for the comment about posting my different techniques, Gretchen. 🙂
I must say, I really like your forest scenes (and the animals).
Thank you, so much, Ruth! 🙂
Wow, what a beautiful and magical forest! It looks almost photographic up in the leaves. Terrific depth and color!
Thank you, Cindy! 🙂
Beautiful glow of light!
Thank you, Chris. The light is something I seem to chase while creating. Sometimes it is there and sometimes not….. I suppose if the chase would ever end, I’d get bored?
Looks like the paper itself helps to create the shadows of the forest. Always love your forestscapes.
This paper helps this watercolorist with everything lacking in my skills, methinks. I consider it my partner and enjoy every moment I spend with it, Yousei. Thank you so much…..
Beautiful painting…I’m a sucker for tree imagery too! Must have been a Druid in another life.
I consider you a “tree whisperer”, Al. Thank you for this comment on this painting.
What a terrific technique!
Thank you, Eliska! 🙂
Okay, here goes nothing. Hi Leslie! Beautiful woods you’ve rendered. Am on another computer so I hope this time the comments work correctly. Good Omen is that NO weird Ads are appearing here sooooo.
Hi and thanks so much for reading!
No bad ads coming through. Hurray! Thanks for this comment, Eva. I’m behind on the breakfast special but will get caught up. I am enjoying it!
Hi Leslie. No worries, I’m behind on just about everything except the writingof Breakfast Special. LOL. By the way, if you get any good ideas about some “cover art” for BS, please don’t hesitate to share. Yeah, I’ve got a funny notion on a brainpan back burner.
Hope all is well in your woods when you read this. Namaste.
Leslie, there’s a never-ending pleasure in the effects you manage with your specialty papers. This is particularly lovely and so sweetly relaxing. Such a nice sense of flowing movement. Lovely.
Thank you, Jamie. 🙂
Excellent technique and well done! I had heard about such paper, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen it. Paintings look so vibrant!
Thank you! This paper is just plain fun to watch my painting come to life on… 🙂
This is absolutely beautiful, Leslie. The color glows wonderfully. I also want to walk in these woods.
Karen
Hi Karen! Thank you, so much!