Starting in the center of the linen and working outwards, apply a coat of PVA size with a 2" house paint brush, carefully massaging the size into the weave of the linen so it is well absorbed and doesn't pool on the surface. When it is fully dry, apply a second coat of size. I've written this post to document my own experiences and show you how to prepare a canvas from scratch. While I realize that many readers won't have the time or space to do this, I think that every artist who works on canvas should do it at least once. Raw Canvas Follow along as Jennylyn teaches you her best tips for how to paint light over dark with Fusion Mineral Paint! Many professional artists, masters of their art, insist on using only the best supports for their work. Starting with the best surface, properly sized and primed, on stretcher bars that remain straight under maximum tension, their minds and hands are free to explore the emerging work with no distractions over failing equipment. Linen plus Upper Canada stretchers ( which also have distinct personality) make the ideal supports, one might even suggest the word “sublime”. If you’re still on the fence about whether to use linen or cotton, you can learn more about the pros and cons of each canvas in Cotton vs. Linen: Which Canvas is Best & Why?

Toning a ground with a mixture of burnt sienna oil paint and turpentine, and then wiping most of it off with a rag allows the white of the canvas to show through the thin layer and give a little glow to the colour, as well as insuring it will be dry enough to paint on the next day. Use a transition colour. Our faves are Pebble, Sterling, or any of the medium greys in the Fusion line! Despite what we might think, white linen is not a natural linen shade. Pure white linen has been bleached to give it its clean, crisp tone. The ever-popular minimalist look has done a lot for white linen, as it regularly features in beautiful table settings, wedding banquets, and as stylish bedding in pristine, clutter-free homes. Bright, bold linen You can also find gloss and trim paints for wood and other features, undercoat paints to prime surfaces perfectly, and tough Kitchen & Bathroom paints for surfaces with heavy use in spaces that experience high temperatures and moisture.Why paint on Linen? Well made cotton canvas is far more popular, and probably half the price or less. A Conservator friend, professionally trained in Europe as a young man, now with many years of experience repairing and restoring fine art works, says he prefers linen because it gives the highest quality it is possible to get in a painting surface. Of course, this is a somewhat subjective judgement. Depending on the size of your painting and whether you’re using raw linen canvas that you plan to gesso yourself, you may need cross bracing, laminated long stretcher bars, or other design elements that increase the strength and stability of your frame.

Many artists love MDF. It is cheap, lightweight, easy to cut and smooth. And generally it is fine to work on primed MDF. Something to keep in mind is the chemical formaldehydewhich is present in the resin that keeps the wood fibre together. This chemical is damaging to health and art. However, EU regulations specify that only a very small amount of it is allowed in wood products. From December 2018 the US is also introducing tighter rules on the use of formaldehyde in wood products. Since artists are only using small panels to work on, contrary to being surrounded by the stuff, I do not think we have an awful lot to worry about. Many art shops sell canvas MDF panels(aff. link) ready to paint on. Wood Panels The options are endless, keep in mind the surface prep that may be necessary depending on the condition of your particular project. Canvas for painting comes either primed or unprimed (bare canvas). You will want to paint on primed canvas. If you have unprimed canvas you will need to prime it with a layer to protect the canvas from the paint you will apply. If you have primed canvas from the store, you don’t need to prime it, you can go straight to painting! I like the wooden panels made by Ampersand a lot. They are very smooth but do have a very slight texture to it and the absorbency is not too bad. I love oil primed linen as the paint just dances around on top of the canvas, in all its full-colour glory. But I have found oil primed stretched linen to be stiff and have a tendency to sag over time. So I have now settled on an acrylic primed extra fine French linen which I enjoy working on very much. For smaller pieces I use Ampersand Gessobord or linen on MDF/hardboard. Introducing Johnstone's Washable Matt Paint - the perfect paint for any room in your home. Designed to offer superior durability and stain resistance, this paint is perfect for high-traffic areas, particularly those prone to marks and stains.I quite like experimenting and reading up about various materials and techniques. So I do spend time asking my fellow artists about their materials, read technical forums about the longevity of a primer or the difference between types of canvas. Of course you don’t always need professional materials. For studies and other stuff that won’t end up on a gallery wall there is as much (perhaps even more) choice in supports. Where do you start? Your Choice