Aquabord has definitely become my surface of choice for watercolors. I love the fact that I can manipulate my watercolors so easily on this surface. I can easily lift back to white and create natural looking highlights. Colors on this surface remain vibrant and brilliant and I don’t have to sacrifice that vibrancy when I frame my watercolors. I have been able to eliminate the glass and create a more intimate connection between the artwork and the viewer by using Aquabord. I simply seal the finished watercolors with 4 to 5 coats of spray fixative like Krylon® UV Resistant Clear Coating #1309 (Matte) or #1305 (Gloss), followed by a final coat of Golden’s UVLS satin varnish. While I like the new Deep Textured Panels, I prefer to frame my watercolors in a traditional format. In the illustration you can see where I simply place the finished artwork inside a linen-lined frame similar to framing a canvas. I have my framer prepare the frame with the liner and then I simply place the panel in the back and adhere it with tacks - it is so simple! My galleries really prefer my work on Aquabord to those on paper.

Nationally known watercolorist Karen Vernon lives and works in Brenham, Texas. Her award winning work is widely collected and published as fine art prints. Vernon championed the use of watercolors on Aquabord almost 5 years ago and has been sharing her successful techniques in her popular workshops and publications ever since. For more information about Karen please visit www.karenvernon.com