Marcus Chen
Artists use a variety of tools and surfaces to create their work. Surfaces that artists paint on are called supports, as they support the medium used to create the image. Supports can include canvas, paper, cardboard, wood panels, metal, and more. Before painting on certain surfaces, artists may need to treat the surface to protect the work from discoloration or deterioration. Artists may also use a palette, a surface made of wood, paper, glass, ceramic, or plastic, to arrange and mix paints.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Artist drawing board, artist clipboard, palette, surface, support, substrate, matrix |
| Purpose | To provide a suitable surface texture and opaque colour, to cover the colour of the canvas or panel |
| Materials | Wood, paper, cardboard, glass, ceramic, plastic, porcelain, canvas, metal, panels, wood, plywood, stretcher bars, rabbit skin glue |
| Shapes | Rectangular, wheel, oval, rectangular with a thumbhole and brush insert |
| Types | "Stay wet" palettes, classical palettes |
| Use cases | Watercolour, acrylic, oil paints |
| Preparation | Priming the surface with acrylic gesso/primer, sealing with a sealant medium to prevent Support Induced Discoloration (SID) |
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What You'll Learn
- Artists prepare their surfaces with gesso/primer to prevent discolouration
- Surfaces can include canvas, paper, cardboard, wood panels, metal, and more
- Palettes are used to arrange and mix paints
- Palettes can be made of wood, paper, glass, ceramic, or plastic
- Easels are used to hold up the painting surface
Artists prepare their surfaces with gesso/primer to prevent discolouration
Artists use a variety of surfaces to paint on, including canvas, wooden panels, paper, glass, and ceramic. Regardless of the surface, it is important to prepare it properly to ensure the paint adheres well and to prevent discolouration.
One common way to prepare a painting surface is by applying a primer or gesso. Gesso is a flexible liquid ground that can be applied to almost any surface, including canvas, wood, vinyl records, rubber duckies, and cigar boxes. It dries hard, creating a slightly textured surface that is ready to be painted with acrylic paint. The textured surface promotes good paint adhesion, ensuring that the paint does not soak into the weave of the canvas or other materials.
Gesso comes in various consistencies and textures, ranging from more liquidy to thick, and can be applied smoothly or leave a more textured surface. It can be purchased pre-prepared in tubes or tubs, or it can be made at home. Homemade gesso is cheaper and can be adjusted to personal preferences and needs.
When priming a wooden panel, it is recommended to first size and seal the wood to protect the painting from yellowing due to support-induced discolouration. A size is a thin solution, often a weak glue, that is brushed directly onto the support. After applying the size, it is important to let it dry completely before applying the gesso or primer.
By preparing their surfaces with gesso or primer, artists can ensure that their paintings will not be affected by discolouration and that the paint will adhere properly to the surface. This preparation step is crucial for ensuring the longevity and quality of the artwork.
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Surfaces can include canvas, paper, cardboard, wood panels, metal, and more
Artists have a wide range of options when it comes to choosing a surface to paint on. The surface is often referred to as a "support" because it supports the medium used by the artist. While the traditional choice is canvas, artists can also use paper, cardboard, wood panels, metal, and more. Each surface has unique characteristics and may require specific preparation before painting to ensure the paint adheres properly and the artwork is protected from deterioration.
Canvas, a traditional and popular choice for artists, is a durable and flexible surface that can be made from materials such as linen, cotton, or synthetic fibers. It is commonly used for oil and acrylic paintings. Before painting on canvas, it is important to prime it with a substance like gesso, which is made with calcium carbonate (whiting, chalk, or gypsum) and a binder like animal skin glue or acrylic polymer. Priming the canvas creates a suitable texture and opaque color, providing a better surface for the paint to adhere to.
Paper is another versatile surface for artists, offering a range of textures and weights. Watercolor paper, for example, has a "hard size" that allows water to penetrate while keeping the pigment on the surface, resulting in brilliant colors and the ability to make corrections. Different types of paper include 'Hot Press' (HP), which is smooth and less absorbent, 'Not' or cold-pressed, which has a medium texture and is popular among beginners, and 'Rough', which is highly textured and absorbent.
Wood panels are also used as painting surfaces, providing a sturdy and long-lasting option. Like canvas, wood panels should be sealed and primed to prevent discoloration and create a suitable painting surface. Artists can use a sealant medium or rabbit skin glue to seal the wood before applying a primer.
In addition to these traditional surfaces, artists can get creative and experiment with a variety of other materials, such as metal, cardboard, or even unconventional items like rubber toys. When painting on unusual surfaces, it is important to prime them first to ensure the paint adheres properly.
The choice of surface depends on various factors, including the artist's preferred medium, the desired texture and appearance of the artwork, and the durability and preservation of the piece. Each surface offers unique advantages and can influence the overall artistic process and final outcome of the work.
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Palettes are used to arrange and mix paints
Palettes are a common tool used by artists to arrange and mix paints. They are usually made of materials such as wood, paper, glass, ceramic, or plastic, and can vary in size and shape. Watercolour palettes, for instance, are typically made of plastic or porcelain and have built-in wells and mixing areas for colours. They are often rectangular or wheel-shaped.
For acrylic painting, "stay wet" palettes are used to prevent paints from drying out and becoming inert. Classical palettes, on the other hand, are often oval-shaped and tapered to ensure optimal weight distribution. They have a thumbhole and insert for brushes and are designed to be held in the non-dominant hand while the other hand mixes and paints.
Some artists, like Picasso, have been known to use unconventional palettes, such as a sheet of newspaper. Palettes are a universal symbol of painting, and their design can be adapted to suit the artist's needs and preferences.
In addition to palettes, artists also require a suitable surface to paint on, such as a canvas, paper, cardboard, or wood panel. These surfaces may need to be treated to neutralize acidities and prevent discolouration or deterioration. Primers or gesso, made with calcium carbonate and a binder, are often used to prepare the surface and create a suitable ground for the paint.
The preparation of paints and painting surfaces has evolved over time, with the invention of collapsible paint tubes in the 19th century saving artists time and labour. Artists today have access to a wide range of commercial paints and synthetic pigments, allowing for a variety of textures and consistencies to suit different artistic techniques.
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Palettes can be made of wood, paper, glass, ceramic, or plastic
Artists use a wide range of tools and surfaces to create their work. The surface on which a painter arranges and mixes paints is called a palette. Palettes can be made of various materials, including wood, paper, glass, ceramic, or plastic.
Wooden palettes are often used for oil paints, as the paint can be ground and mixed on the palette before being applied to the canvas. Wooden panels or boards are also used as a painting surface, particularly for oil paintings, as the natural acidities of the wood need to be treated to protect the work from discolouration or deterioration.
Paper is another common material used for palettes, especially for watercolour painting. Watercolour paper has a "hard size" on top that allows the water to penetrate while keeping the pigment on the surface, creating a brilliant effect. Watercolour palettes are typically made of plastic or porcelain and feature built-in wells and mixing areas for colours.
Glass was historically used by artists to grind pigments and mix them with oil and varnish. The invention of collapsible paint tubes in the mid-19th century reduced the need for glass slabs, as artists could now conveniently transport their paints.
Ceramic palettes are also used, particularly for watercolour and acrylic painting. Acrylic "stay wet" palettes are designed to prevent paints from drying out and becoming inert.
Plastic is a versatile material used for both palettes and painting surfaces. It is lightweight, durable, and easy to clean, making it a popular choice for artists.
While the specific terms for these painting tools and surfaces may vary, the function of providing a suitable work surface for artists remains consistent.
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Easels are used to hold up the painting surface
Artists use a variety of tools and surfaces to create their paintings. The most common term for the thing that artists paint on is a "surface" or "support". This can refer to a wide range of materials, including canvas, paper, cardboard, wood panels, metal, and more. Surfaces like canvas often need to be treated before painting to prevent discolouration and deterioration.
One tool that artists use to hold up their painting surface is an easel. An easel is a structure that supports and displays a painting surface, allowing the artist to work on it comfortably. Easels can be made from various materials, such as wood or metal, and they come in different sizes and designs. Some easels are even collapsible, making them convenient for outdoor painting. The height of the easel can often be adjusted to accommodate the artist's stance and the size of the painting.
The length of the easel's support structures and the height at which the painting surface is positioned allow the artist to stand back from their work while painting. This is especially useful for artists who work on large canvases or those who want to view their work from a distance to assess their progress.
In addition to easels, artists also use drawing boards or clipboards, which can be placed on a flat surface or held in the hand while painting. These boards provide a sturdy and portable surface to work on and can be made of various materials, such as wood or hardboard. Artists can also use palettes, which are surfaces for arranging and mixing paints. Palettes are typically made of wood, paper, glass, ceramic, or plastic and come in various shapes and sizes.
The choice of surface and tools depends on the artist's preferences, the medium they are using, and the specific requirements of their artwork. Each surface and tool offers unique advantages and is chosen to enhance the artist's creative process and the final artwork.
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Frequently asked questions
The thing that artists paint on is called a support, or a substrate. This can include a wide variety of materials, such as canvas, paper, cardboard, wood panels, metal, and more.
A palette is a surface on which a painter arranges and mixes their paints. Palettes can be made of wood, paper, glass, ceramic, or plastic, and come in various shapes and sizes.
Gesso is a painting ground, made with calcium carbonate (whiting, chalk, or gypsum) and a binder, which is painted onto a surface to create a ground for paint.
In art, a support is the surface or material on which an artist creates two-dimensional art. Supports can include canvas, paper, cardboard, or wood panels.
Artists can paint on a variety of unusual surfaces, such as rubber toys or printed fabric. To ensure that the paint adheres properly to these surfaces, they may need to be primed with a substance like acrylic gesso or primer.
