Priya Kapoor
In the context of painting, the term support refers to the material or surface on which paint is applied. Common examples of support include canvas, wood, paper, and cardboard. The choice of support can depend on the type of paint being used, as different paints may require specific surfaces or priming techniques to ensure proper adhesion and durability. Throughout history, artists have experimented with various materials as support, such as wooden panels, linen, animal skins, and even unconventional items like tea towels and clothing racks. The exploration of support in art has also led to art movements like Supports/Surfaces, which challenged traditional artistic hierarchies and brought attention to the material components of paintings.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | The term "support" in painting refers to any material to which paint is applied. |
| Common materials | Canvas, wood, and paper |
| Other materials | Cloth made from polyester or glass fiber, metals, leather, glass, slate, plaster, ivory, glass, and more. |
| Wooden panels | Beech, birch, larch, maple, olive wood, cedrus, pine, poplar, tulip poplar, sycamore, and more. |
| Alternatives | Composites, plywood, hardboard, and other engineered wood. |
| Preparation | Priming is the process of preparing a surface for painting by applying a coat to improve adhesion, durability, and protection. |
| Techniques | Tempera, encaustic, acrylic, and oil painting. |
| Considerations | The mechanical properties of the support, such as stress resistance, are important to prevent paint failure, cracking, and paint loss. |
| Art movement | The Supports/Surfaces movement in the late 1960s and early 1970s deconstructed and examined the material components of paintings, bringing the stretcher bar and canvas to the foreground. |
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What You'll Learn
Common painting supports
The term "support" in painting refers to any material to which paint is applied. Common supports include canvas, wood, and paper, but the types of supports used for artwork are extensive.
Wooden panels, linen, and animal skins were among the first supports used for painting. Wood was used as a support for a long time, with wooden statues painted in the Old Kingdom of Egypt during the Fourth Dynasty (2600-2500 BC). By the time of the Sixth Dynasty, easel painting had started. Many varieties of wood were used, including beech, birch, larch, maple, and olive wood.
Canvas is now the most common support for oil painting, replacing wooden panels. Canvas became popular in Venice in the 17th century, and one of the earliest surviving oil paintings on canvas is the French Virgin and Child with Angels from around 1410 in the Gemäldegalerie, Berlin.
A growing trend is modern alternatives, such as composites. Aluminum Composite Material (ACM) panels, for example, are lightweight, rigid, and durable. They are commonly used for outdoor signs and displays, but they can also be used as a support for fine art paintings.
Other modern supports will likely yield more advanced technology in composite materials. Engineered wood panels, such as plywood and hardboard, became prominent in the 20th century.
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Modern alternatives to traditional supports
In visual arts, the term "support" refers to any solid surface onto which paint is applied. Canvas, wood, and paper are some of the most common traditional painting supports. However, the types of supports used for artwork vary extensively. For instance, wooden panels, linen, and animal skins were among the first supports used for painting.
- Metal: Copper was a popular support for oil paintings from the 16th to 18th centuries, and there has recently been a resurgence in its use, along with other metals such as aluminium composite material (ACM). Metal supports can provide a durable and long-lasting option for paintings, but their viability has been questioned due to the potential for linear thermal expansion, which can cause the metal to change length when heated or cooled.
- Composite Materials: Composite materials, such as ACM, are modern alternatives to traditional supports. ACM panels are made of aluminium and plastic, providing a lightweight, rigid, and durable support for paintings. They are commonly used for outdoor signs and displays, but they can also be used for fine art paintings. However, due to their smooth surface, the paint may not adhere well, so proper preparation, such as cleaning, sanding, and priming, is essential.
- Glass: Da Vinci suggested the idea of painting on glass, which would be observed through the glass, reducing the diffusion of light from the paint surface. Glass can be used as a support for paint, despite its smooth surface.
- Artificial Fiber Boards: These boards have advantages over wood as a support, including lower cost and homogeneity, which means they are less likely to shrink or expand unidirectionally. Masonite boards, a type of artificial fiber board, are of particular interest to painters due to their textured surface, which resembles canvas.
- Engineered Wood: Engineered wood products, such as plywood and hardboard, became prominent in the twentieth century. These materials are manufactured by binding wood fibers or veneers with adhesives to form a composite material. Medium-density fiberboard (MDF) and high-density fiberboard (HDF) are examples of engineered wood products, with HDF being superior in terms of strength, density, and resistance to moisture damage.
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Preparing surfaces for painting
Cleaning the Surface
Start by thoroughly cleaning the surface you plan to paint. Use a duster or dry cloth to wipe down the entire area, paying special attention to corners and edges. This step ensures the removal of dust, cobwebs, and any oily residue that may have accumulated over time. If there is oil or stubborn residue on the walls, a mixture of dish soap and warm water can be used for washing, followed by a thorough rinse with clean water. It is important to let the surface dry completely before proceeding to the next step.
Repairing Imperfections
Once the surface is clean, carefully inspect it for any cracks, holes, or imperfections. Use a putty knife or similar tool to scrape away any flaking or chipped paint. Fill in any holes, cracks, or joints with a patching compound or spackling paste. Allow the compound to dry, and then use sandpaper or a sanding block to smooth out the surface, creating an even and uniform texture. After sanding, use a damp cloth to remove the dust, and ensure the surface is completely dry before proceeding.
Priming the Surface
Priming the surface is an essential step in preparing for painting. Primer helps ensure that the paint adheres properly and provides a consistent base for the paint to be applied. Apply a coat of primer to the surface, following the manufacturer's instructions, and allow it to dry thoroughly. If you are working with a wall previously painted with oil-based paint, you may need to use a bonding primer specifically designed for this purpose.
Protecting Nearby Areas
Before beginning the painting process, it is crucial to protect any nearby surfaces and furnishings. Move any furniture or decorative items away from the walls and cover them with plastic or canvas drop cloths. Remove outlet covers, light fixtures, and switch plates. If there is wallpaper on the walls that you wish to remove, use a wallpaper removal spray or steamer to soften the paper, then scrape it off. Ensure that any remaining adhesive residue is thoroughly cleaned off before proceeding with painting.
Testing Paint Compatibility
Before committing to painting the entire surface, it is a good idea to test the compatibility of the paint you plan to use. Choose an inconspicuous spot and apply the paint, allowing it to dry. This test will help you identify any potential issues with adhesion or compatibility, ensuring that you don't encounter problems once you've started painting on a larger scale.
By following these steps and taking the time to properly prepare the surface, you will achieve a more professional and aesthetically pleasing final result.
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The history of painting supports
In art, the term "support" refers to any material to which paint is applied. The support is typically a solid surface, such as a canvas or panel, and is technically distinct from the overlaying ground. However, the term "support" is sometimes used broadly to refer to any surface used for painting, such as paper for watercolour or plaster for fresco.
Ancient History
The use of wooden panels as a support for paintings has a long history, dating back to ancient times. In the Old Kingdom of Egypt during the Fourth Dynasty (2600-2500 BC), wooden statues were painted, and by the time of the Sixth Dynasty, easel painting had emerged. Wooden panels were also used extensively in Ancient Egypt for paintings such as the Fayum mummy portraits.
Medieval Period
During the medieval period, the use of fabric supports, particularly linen, became common in Europe and Asia. However, wood panels remained prominent, especially for church use. Ivory was also commonly used as a support during this time, though it became rarer in medieval Europe.
Renaissance
The Renaissance saw a wider spread of paintings and a shift in the preferred support. Canvas became widely used, often glued to wood, a practice that originated in Ancient Egypt but gained popularity in 13th-15th century Italy. Paper was also sometimes used as a ground layer. Many Renaissance paintings, such as those by Raphael, were created on primed wood panels.
Modern Alternatives
In more recent times, modern alternatives to traditional supports have emerged. Metal supports, such as copper and iron, became more feasible options once the cost of sheet metal decreased towards the end of the 18th century. Additionally, artificial fibre boards, such as Masonite, have gained popularity due to their lower cost, homogeneity, and resistance to shrinking or expanding.
Today, the range of supports available to artists continues to expand, with composite materials and engineered wood products, such as plywood and hardboard, offering new possibilities for painters.
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The mechanical properties of painting supports
The term "support" in painting refers to any material to which paint is applied. Canvas, wood, and paper are common traditional painting supports, but the types of supports used for artwork are very extensive.
Wood has been used as a support for a long time. In the Old Kingdom of Egypt during the Fourth Dynasty (2600-2500 BC), wooden statues were painted, and by the time of the Sixth Dynasty, easel painting had started. Many varieties of wood have been used over the centuries, including beech, birch, larch, maple, olive wood, cedrus, pine, and poplar.
Engineered wood, such as plywood and hardboard, became prominent in the twentieth century. Engineered wood products are manufactured by binding wood fibres or veneers with adhesives to form a composite material. The mechanical and physical characteristics of these substrates, such as density and internal bond, are measured to guide users in selecting the appropriate panel for a project. For example, the boat industry uses marine plywood, which is engineered for high moisture resistance.
When using a wood substrate for artwork, it is important to determine its dimensional stability and stiffness, as you want your work to remain flat and to weather the transition through different ambient climates. It is also crucial to use the proper methods for sealing and finishing the wood substrate to protect your artwork over time.
Canvas has become the most common support for oil painting, replacing wooden panels. Canvas supports for oil painting are typically prepared with rabbit skin size (animal collagen glue) and oil ground.
Another modern alternative support is aluminium composite material (ACM) panels, which are lightweight, rigid, and durable. ACM panels are compatible with various types of paint but must be primed to ensure good adhesion of the paint layers to the coated aluminium surface. The smooth surface of ACM panels can affect the drying time of the paint, usually prolonging it due to the non-absorbent surface. However, if the surface is properly prepared with an absorbent primer, the drying time will be similar to that of other supports.
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Frequently asked questions
"Support" refers to the surface on which paint is applied. Common examples include canvas, wood, and paper, but the types of supports used for artwork are extensive.
Traditional supports include wooden panels, linen, and animal skins. In the 17th century, stretched canvas became popular in Venice.
Modern alternatives to traditional supports include composites, metals, leather, glass, and slate.
