Having a blank canvas to paint on is definitely one of the exciting parts of being an artist! There's plenty of space for your ideas and creativity to come to life. While it is fun and exciting, it can also be quite stressful.
"What should I do with all these space?" "Do I need this much space to begin with?" "How should I start painting my ideas?"
In this article, we'll answer those questions (and more!) so your canvas painting adventure will always be a fun and positive one. Read on!
"What should I do with all these space?" "Do I need this much space to begin with?" "How should I start painting my ideas?"
In this article, we'll answer those questions (and more!) so your canvas painting adventure will always be a fun and positive one. Read on!
Prepare your canvas properly
There are two ways you can go about preparing your canvas - to stretch your canvas or use a pre-stretched one. You would want to use a pre-stretched one (especially if you are a beginner in canvas painting). Just don't forget to remove the wrapper it will be encased in.
Prime your canvas. Primers like gesso is a substance applied to canvases to make your work surface smoother and softer for paint. Primers come in different varieties depending on the type of paint you will be using. Make sure to ask your art teacher the specific primer you need to use for acrylic paint, oil paint and / or tempera.
Aside from these benefits, priming your canvas can help you use less paint to create your work. A well-primed canvas is also essential in protecting the quality of your brushes.
Prime your canvas. Primers like gesso is a substance applied to canvases to make your work surface smoother and softer for paint. Primers come in different varieties depending on the type of paint you will be using. Make sure to ask your art teacher the specific primer you need to use for acrylic paint, oil paint and / or tempera.
Aside from these benefits, priming your canvas can help you use less paint to create your work. A well-primed canvas is also essential in protecting the quality of your brushes.
Start with a basic tonal background
Of course, depending on the subject and theme you have in mind for your painting, applying a general tone to your canvas can instantly set the mood of your artwork.
Let's say you want to make a reproduction of Van Gogh's Starry Starry Night. To set the mood, you can apply an over-all dark blue tone to your canvas. The application of blue paint immediately creates the idea or illusion of a blue sky.
Let's say you want to make a reproduction of Van Gogh's Starry Starry Night. To set the mood, you can apply an over-all dark blue tone to your canvas. The application of blue paint immediately creates the idea or illusion of a blue sky.
Setting the mood will also make it easy for you to know the direction of your artwork. It will determine how everything else should flow.
Set up your art materials
Different artist, different strokes. This is why setting up your canvas and the art materials you want to use is crucial before getting started with your artwork.
Do you prefer using an easel where you can prop up your blank canvas upright or do you prefer when it is tilted at a slight angle? Or do you feel more control when your blank canvas is laid down on a flat surface like the floor?
There are no right or no wrong answers! By assembling your brushes, knives, water and other painting supplies in its place, your ensuring a pleasant painting process for yourself.
Do you prefer using an easel where you can prop up your blank canvas upright or do you prefer when it is tilted at a slight angle? Or do you feel more control when your blank canvas is laid down on a flat surface like the floor?
There are no right or no wrong answers! By assembling your brushes, knives, water and other painting supplies in its place, your ensuring a pleasant painting process for yourself.
Select the right brushes
Did you know there are paint brushes better suited for canvas painting compared to others?
As you would most likely use acrylic or oil-based paint to work with your huge, blank canvas, a brush with stiffer bristles and a longer handle is more suited than a brush you would use for water coloring. Watercolor paintbrushes are too fine, soft and delicate. You won't be able to apply your paint as aggressively as you want to.
There is also the shape of the brush you need to consider before working on your artwork. The following are the eight main shapes you should have in your arsenal.
As you would most likely use acrylic or oil-based paint to work with your huge, blank canvas, a brush with stiffer bristles and a longer handle is more suited than a brush you would use for water coloring. Watercolor paintbrushes are too fine, soft and delicate. You won't be able to apply your paint as aggressively as you want to.
There is also the shape of the brush you need to consider before working on your artwork. The following are the eight main shapes you should have in your arsenal.
Each of these brush shapes will allow you to compose different techniques and levels of detail so choose your brushes well!
Have a safe space for drying
Of course, after doing your artwork and applying all the colors carefully on your canvas, making it has a safe space to dry is crucial. Even small canvases can be difficult to handle when wet. If possible, have a non-stick surface so you won't have to worry about cleaning up for stuck-up paint on your floors.
Learn the art and science of canvas painting at Art Smart
At the core of our curriculum is, of course, canvas painting! We will show you all the other basic knowledge you need to know (aside from the ones we have just discussed) and we will teach you techniques such as creating an underpainting, mixing and adjusting colors and experimenting with a medium so your artwork will be even more realistic.
Below is our art class schedule for 2017 for your reference.
Below is our art class schedule for 2017 for your reference.
To enroll or for any inquiries you may have, please call us at 0917-8784766 / 02 -6160305 / 0915-5948191 / 0995-260 8927. See you all soon in our studios!
Photo sources:
https://www.art-is-fun.com/paintbrushes-for-acrylics/
https://www.craftsy.com/blog/2015/04/canvas-painting-tips/
https://www.art-is-fun.com/paintbrushes-for-acrylics/
https://www.craftsy.com/blog/2015/04/canvas-painting-tips/
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