PAINTING ON CANVAS: DISCOVERY AND GOOD PRACTICES

Are you interested in painting on canvas but don’t know where to start? Here are the recurring questions that we ask ourselves when we want to start painting, whether as a hobby or professionally.

Painting on canvas: discovery and good practices

Good to know before you start

– For example: Vallejo Acrylics are 100% acrylic resin and offer Studio Acrylics that allow all techniques and make it possible to mix colors with all mediums and other materials.

– Soap (to wash your hands after painting)

– Brushes (e.g. round brushes, flat tip brushes, flat brushes, a trowel-shaped knife)

– An easel, both for drawing and painting, allows you to work with hindsight and appreciate your achievement.

How to prepare your raw canvas?

You can apply a layer of Gesso to prepare your canvas before applying the colors, otherwise the paint may not adhere or may be absorbed by the fibers of the canvas.

Tip: We recommend Master Toiles® coated and primed linen canvases, you don’t need to apply Gesso, which is an economical alternative for beginners.

Canvas chassis

Preparing the painting on canvas

Steps before painting

1. Set up your equipment: your canvas should be placed on your frame, and your equipment within reach. Be sure to keep a simple and organized work plan.
2. Make a sketch beforehand: Define the first visual cues of what you want to paint. The lines of force, the construction of the image, the way in which you will define the perspective of your work… If you are a beginner, do not seek complexity, indicate on a sketch the generic forms of your future work. These forms will help you to concentrate your gestures on the elements that matter in your creation.
3. Color preparation; Prepare your shades and colors on your palette. If you are a beginner, keep in mind that the colors can adjust as you work. Don’t be too demanding with yourself and allow yourself to experiment!
4. Color distribution: Once the background is dry, apply the colors (combined with water) in thin layers. Start with the lightest colors before moving on to the darker colors.

You can get light colours by simple dilutions (with water). Avoid using white! Remember to pause after each coat of paint.

It is important to let it dry before moving on to the next coat of paint.

Choose a type of paint

The 3 main types of paint are

– Acrylic is certainly the most suitable type of paint for beginners. It dries very quickly and therefore allows you to make corrections easily or even cover everything to start again endlessly. It is extremely easy to handle and offers even the least experienced painters the possibility of having access to the most complex effects.

– Watercolor

– The oil has a creamy texture, very pleasant to apply. Blending is particularly easy to achieve. It can be diluted with oil-based or solvent-based mediums (e.g. ONYX paint thinner), and cleaned with solvents or turpentine

You can use aluminum foil or plastic wrap over your palettes to keep the paints moist for a few hours for future use.

Don’t forget to add a little water (spray) between 2 uses to keep the colors moist and thus avoid drying them. And to slow down the drying process of your paints on the palette you can use an auxiliary like “a retarder” or you can also spray a fine mist of water on your palette.

(!) Recap your paint tubes immediately, otherwise the paint may dry out or harden when exposed to air.

And above all, have fun, because:

Take care of your brushes

– They must be washed with soap or dishwashing liquid after each use and especially before the paint dries on the brush

– They must be wiped by gently closing their tip with a cloth

– They must be stored in a pot, with the head upwards (this is essential to avoid crushing the bristles)

These maintenance steps are essential because you absolutely must avoid letting the paint dry on the brush, otherwise it will become rough and unusable. But if this happens, here is a little tip: boil white vinegar and baking soda powder, pour the lukewarm mixture into a jar and dip only the tip of the brush in it. Once the bristles are softened, wash it in lukewarm water with Marseille soap. Repeat the operation if necessary.

Painting brushes on canvas

Good practices for taking care of your painted canvas

– Apply a layer of varnish to protect and enhance your work. It will allow you to obtain a uniform matte, satin or glossy finish on your entire painting.

– Protect your painting: By using a protective “back” you will protect your painting against mechanical damage (impacts, perforations, tears). In addition, you can also frame your painting with an American box, which will combine aesthetics and protection.

– Choose the right location for your painting: avoid sources of humidity, direct light and heat sources (radiator, fireplace, etc.).

– Remove dust using a brush or a good quality cloth. In some cases, this step may be enough to keep a painting in good condition for a long time.