Gatorboard - what is it and where do you get it? (Patreon)

I use gatorboard to attach my paper to after I have soaked it. I get asked all the time what is it and where do you get it from, so I'll answer those questions in this post.

I always stretch my paper before I paint on it. You can see my process here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/31443575

I stretch it for two reasons. The first is because I don't enjoy painting on paper that buckles and puckers. It’s much more pleasant and easier to paint on paper that stays flat while you work on it. The second reason I stretch it is because I don’t like seeing beautiful watercolour paintings buckled and puckered behind glass after they have been framed.

I know some artists don't stretch their paper first and instead they try to flatten the paper after they have finished painting on it either by ironing it or wetting the back of it and weighing it down for days with heavy weights. I often wonder what the value in that process is when they could have stretched it first and experienced the joy of painting on flat paper.

When I first started stretching my paper I attached it to MDF (craftwood) boards that I had sealed with sealer. I used a heavy duty carpenter’s stapler and gummed tape to attach the paper to the boards. That worked ok but the boards were heavy and then I had trouble getting the gummed tape off the board after I cut my painting off.

Then I discovered Gatorboards and my world changed 🤗. Some places may refer to it as Gatorfoam.

Gatorboards are a lightweight rigid board with a polystyrene core. They are sometimes used as a display board or for signage and they are perfect for attaching your paper to after you have soaked it prior to painting on it.

I use gummed tape and an ordinary stapler to attach the paper to the board. The gummed tape has a habit of becoming unstuck which is why I also staple it. You can just use staples and skip the gummed tape but I find that the two together work better for me. As I mentioned, the core of the gatorboard is polystyrene foam so it is soft. Sometimes when you work really wet, the staples will have a hard time keeping the paper tight. I have found that the gummed tape, when it works, holds it more secure. If the paper does start to lift and wave slightly on the gatorboard while it’s wet, it will flatten out ok, particularly if you dry it with a hair dryer.

Thickness is important!

When I buy gatorboard I buy the board that it is 18mm (3/4 inch) thick. I worry that anything thinner than that will bow like a banana after the paper has dried on it. I do have a board that is 10mm thick (just under half an inch) and so far it hasn't bowed 🤞🏻.

How long do they last?

I have boards that are 7 years old that I am still using. They have been stapled thousands of times and they still work ok. They look a bit the worse for wear but I’m in no hurry to throw them out anytime soon.

Removing gummed tape from the board

To remove the dried gummed tape from the board after the painting has been removed I soak them in the bath for about ten minutes and the tape comes straight off. They float so I put the side with the tape on it facing the water. Then I stand them up to dry for a day or so before I use them again.

Where do you buy them?

I buy mine from Parkers Fine Art Supplies in Australia: https://bit.ly/3aSBvTM

Dick Blick sells them in the US: https://www.dickblick.com/products/gatorfoam-board/

They sell board that is 1/2 inch thick. I prefer it to be thicker but as I mentioned above, I do have one board that is about 1/2 an inch thick and it doesn't bow.

Jackson's Fine Art Supplies in the UK sells them but they sell 5mm and 10mm. Stay away from the 5mm - it may bow. I've used the 10mm and although I don't like it as much as the 18mm, mine hasn't bowed:  https://www.jacksonsart.com/en-au/gatorfoam-heavy-duty-foam-board

If you know of other places where you can buy it please put a link in the comments for others. 

Thanks,

Louise

💕