Have you ever wished you could paint with watercolors on something other than paper? With DANIEL SMITH Watercolor Ground, you can transform virtually any surface into a watercolor-friendly canvas! Whether you’re looking to experiment with wood, metal, ceramic, plastic, glass, stone, or other surfaces, our versatile ground provides a texture similar to cold-press watercolor paper, allowing you to achieve the same transparent and expressive effects as you would on traditional watercolor paper.

DANIEL SMITH Watercolor Ground is an archival-quality primer designed to accept watercolor while also offering the flexibility to be used for various creative purposes:

• Expand Your Painting Surface Options: Apply watercolor on unconventional surfaces, such as canvas, wood, glass, or even cardboard. We have even seen artists use it on candles and wine bottles!

• Add Texture and Cover Imperfections: The ground can be used to create unique textures or even repair flawed paintings.

• Layering and Reworking: The absorbent nature allows for lifting and reworking of colors.

DANIEL SMITH Watercolor Ground comes in six distinct shades:

• Titanium White – A bright, neutral white base, perfect for achieving true-to-color watercolor effects.

• Buff Titanium – A warm, natural-toned ground that provides a softer, vintage look.

• Mars Black – A deep black surface, allowing for dramatic contrast and unique watercolor effects.

• Iridescent Gold – A shimmering metallic ground that adds a luxurious touch to watercolor paintings.

• Pearlescent White – A pearly, luminous white that enhances highlights and subtle glows.

• Transparent – Maintains the visibility of the underlying surface while still providing watercolor absorbency.

To ensure even coverage and proper absorbency, apply DANIEL SMITH Watercolor Ground in 4 layers, with a final thickness of approximately 2mm (about the thickness of a nickel). The coverage varies based on the type of ground:

For Titanium White, Mars Black, or Buff Titanium:

• 4 oz jar covers approximately 10 square feet
• 16 oz jar covers approximately 41 square feet

For Pearlescent White, Iridescent Gold, or Transparent:

• 4 oz jar covers approximately 7 square feet

To put it into perspective, a standard 22”x30” sheet of watercolor paper is 4.5 square feet:

• A 4 oz jar of Titanium White, Mars Black, or Buff Titanium will cover approximately 2 full sheets.
• A 4 oz jar of Pearlescent White, Iridescent Gold, or Transparent will cover about 1.5 sheets.

1. Prepare the Surface: Ensure the surface is clean and dry before applying the ground. Clean glass with degreaser or rubbing alcohol to ensure adhesion.

For wood, glass, plastic, and other materials, you may need to lightly sand with 2000 micron sandpaper.

2. Stir Well: The ground may settle over time, so mix it thoroughly before use.

You can dilute the ground with water, but no more than 10%! Over-thinning can compromise its effectiveness, preventing you from achieving the desired results.

3. Tint the watercolor ground with watercolor up to 10%! That’s right, you may use watercolor to “tint” your watercolor ground. Keep in mind that with the Titanium White and Pearlescent grounds, your result will be pastel tones.

Here is a project done with Black and tinted White ground on a wooden box!

4. Apply with a Sponge Brush, sponge roller, or Palette Knife: Use a soft brush for a smoother finish or a palette knife for added texture. When using a brush, apply gently with only the brush’s weight.

5. Allow to Cure: For best results, let the ground dry and cure for at least 12 hours between layers and 24 hours before painting. It is NOT recommended to use a heat tool or hair dryer to speed drying time! Let it dry naturally.
6. Paint and Experiment: Once dry, you can paint with watercolor as you would on traditional paper!

Can I use DANIEL SMITH Watercolor Ground on fabric?

No, it is not suitable for fabric as it is not washable and will crack when the fabric bends. However, you may use it on canvas that is stretched or affixed to a rigid surface.

Can I use it on ceramics and fire it in a kiln?

You may use it on unglazed or glazed ceramic, but you cannot glaze over it or fire it.

Can Masking Fluid be used on it?

Yes! You may use masking fluid on it in the same way you use it on watercolor paper.

DANIEL SMITH Watercolor Ground opens up a world of possibilities for watercolor artists looking to push creative boundaries. Whether you want to paint on canvas, upcycle old materials, or add new textures to your work, this ground provides the perfect foundation. Try it out and discover how it can enhance your artistic practice!