How to Flatten Paper (Really EASY & QUICK)

How to flatten paper - this is a really easy and quick way of sorting out cockled or warped watercolor paper.

No doubt we've all had it happen to us, you finish off a lovely painting, take it off the pad or board and find it is cockled or warped. Your immediate reaction is complete dismay, but worry not, I have one way of resolving the problem really easily and really quickly. You don't need any fancy equipment although some acid-free mount board would be useful. I hope you find this little tip helpful, feel free to share it with your art friends and groups.

🕒 Timestamps 🕒
00:00 How to flatten paper
00:49 Warped, cockled watercolor painting
01:30 Flattening the watercolor paper and the equipment you need
04:13 Allow the process to work and the paper will be flattened

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[VyvienneEaux]

Wow, that’s amazing! It’s hard to believe it works so well, and it’s clear that you know what you’re doing!

Do you have any recommendations for a type of paper to use when doing multimedia art with watercolor and colored pencil?

[aijadawddaw]

This was great. I also tried to do some variation of the same thing.

I used a stretching board, a heavy dictionary, a sheet of paper, a box of tools, 6. bullion gold bars, my neighbours jeep, a tablespoon of salt and a packet of post its.

Worked a treat!

[toni-tzbt]

Top tip 👍I was waiting for a couple of wall bricks coming out at the end. Hehe

[hannahrose]

Not a painter, here, but can see how your instructions apply to adding watercolors to greeting cards. Also your musical-sounding voice with its lack of "um's" is a treat to listen to. I will come back when I need a break from harsh voices. :-)

[michellewainer]

This works perfectly. It is amazing how the paper gets all dry and flat with stacks of books on it. Thank you!

[jalynefidler]

Thank you for showing how this is done! I appreciate learning from experienced artists! Your bird is lovely! ❤ Jalyne in Utah USA

[alandahlstrom]

This just randomly appeared today and although I am the furthest thing from an artist, I think this technique will be very useful. Also, regarding your painting - WOW!
I have no particular interest in bird paintings, but found myself truly mesmerized by this one. You are an amazing artist and I subscribed just to see your other work.

[Bearwithme]

I've been doing this for ages, and it works beautifully.

[colleenmcchesney]

Wow I would have never thought of wetting the back of the painting slightly to get those results. I usually just press between the stacks of things like you did without the water & sometimes it works. Thanks for sharing this little tip with us.

[scrapbagstudios]

This is basically how I do it and not just for watercolour work. Thanks for sharing

[rosemarygilman]

Thank you, Paul. I had been trying to flatten my cockled paintings by puting them between the pages of a big book and then stacking heavy books on top of that. But even after leaving them for a few days the paintings would not be completely flat. I will try your method next time and I'm sure I will get better results!

[sharinglungs]

Great results and such a simple fix. Thanks.

[watercoloradventures]

This was amazingly helpful and worked on my super super buckled paper thank you so much!!!!

[chad]

Hey! Ive just started painting a week ago and some of ur videos helped me out real good! Thanks pal.

[BrandonScottFox]

Great vid!! Huge help!!! Thank you so much!!

[terrim]

Thank you for the information it looks like a very effective method. Also the bird painting is beautiful.

[kiwisunshine]

Fabulous tip! Many thanks for sharing! Love your Bird painting!

[karenleigh]

Thank you Paul that really helped....Your work is Gorgeous by the way...

[jeannegow]

Thank you, Paul! I brush water on the back of the painting then put a cellophane a4 transparency on the back and another A4 size of thin absorbent softboard on the dry front...then put this sandwich in an old book...and more books on it's flat, I move it into a sandwich of 2 softboard sheets to dry out absolutely flat in the same book pile....I find the thick cellophane transparency holds the water longer, at first, and allows the paper time to smoothen itself out better under the weight of the books... works for me....thanks for all your wonderful tutorials🎨🖌️

[sharonsands]

That looks like the most effective process I've seen or tried. Thank you. You are wonderful.