Vegetarian needs advice re: Watercolor Paper
Ross Green
> I'm a beginning watercolor student and a serious vegetarian. I
> avoid using products that have animal derived ingredients in
> them. (No I'm not planning on eating my paints :-)
I was a serious vegetarian for three years, but I gave it up, partly
because I just started thinking about all the societal (and practical)
interconnections...
> Anyways, When I began collecting the materials for the class I'm
> taking, it was obvious that I'd have to use synthetic brushes,
There are some fairly good synthetic watercolor brushes available,
but all *excellent* brushes come from animals. There's no way to
get around this. (?)
> and what information I had on the pigments said that they were
> probably "safe".
Safe, as far the binder (gum arabic). Most commercial watercolor
paints also contain a wetting agent (to improve flow), but nowadays
that's usually (always?) synthetic--the traditional wetting agent is
oxgall (bovine bile, refined).
> I didnt think at all about the paper until I found a web page that
> talked about using gelatine as a sizing agent in watercolor paper.
> I assume that this is animal gelatine.
Yes, but methyl cellulose is often used instead... This is a
complicated question (I will give you further details via email, if
you need to know more).
> Are there watercolor papers available that use a vegetable derived
> sizing agent?
Yes, but the larger manufacturers usually aren't going to give you
the details of their production processes (they don't like to give away
secrets). However, there are many individual papermakers and small
companies that will tell you everything about their products--(The
whole subject of artist-quality paper is incredibly complex.)
> Is it possible to get unsized paper.... if so would it be usable for
> water color?
It's very easy to find unsized paper, and it can be used for
watercolor, although traditionally wc paper is usually sized. It's also
a reasonably simple process to size your own paper, with methyl
cellulose.
> With respect to pigments... Am I correct that neither the pigment
> itself nor the binding agent is animal derived?
Today, almost all the pigments used in watercolor paints are not
animal-derived, except bone black, which is made from charred
bone.
And of course, most of these paints, synthetic brushes, and unsized
papers will have been manufactured by carnivorous humans.
-Ross
CAT
>> I'm a beginning watercolor student and a serious vegetarian. I
>> avoid using products that have animal derived ingredients in
>> them. (No I'm not planning on eating my paints :-)
Aren't you concerned about the trees that gave their life so you could
have watercolor paper?!
Fish should be able to swim in the water you are using to paint with. You
are depriving them of their habitat!
If you are truly concerned you would take up another hobby.
CAT
chistopher willard
something to that effect? I've heard it attributed to Monet but can't
seem to find the source.
Any help is appreciated.