Isabella Flores
Artists use a variety of tools and surfaces to paint on. The most common surface is a canvas, which is a type of fabric that is stretched over a wooden frame and primed with a base coat. This base coat, known as a ground, can be made from a variety of materials such as acrylic gesso or primer, and provides a suitable texture and colour for the artist to paint on. Artists may also choose to paint directly onto wood panels or aluminium sheets, which can be primed and sealed to prevent discolouration. In addition to these traditional methods, modern artists may also use inkjet papers, which allow for high-quality reproductions of artwork or digitally designed prints.
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What You'll Learn
- Painting surfaces: Canvas, wood, aluminium, paper, or unusual surfaces like rubber toys
- Preparing surfaces: Sizing, sealing, and priming to prevent discolouration and improve paint adhesion
- Paint types: Oil, watercolour, gouache, and acrylic
- Painting tools: Brushes, pastels, and paint tubes
- Easels: Collapsible and traditional
Painting surfaces: Canvas, wood, aluminium, paper, or unusual surfaces like rubber toys
Painting is a versatile art form that can be done on various surfaces, each offering unique qualities and effects. Here is a guide to some common and unusual painting surfaces:
Canvas
Canvas is a classic and popular surface for painting, offering a durable and long-lasting option. It is typically made from cotton stretched across a wooden frame and has been used for centuries. Canvas is well-suited for many paint types, including oil, acrylic, and gouache. Priming the canvas with a substance called gesso is essential to prevent paint absorption and sagging. Canvas boards, constructed from cotton on fibreboard, are also available as a more affordable option for beginners.
Wood
Wooden panels or boards, such as MDF or plywood, can be used as a painting surface. Wood is often sealed with a product like gesso to create a smooth surface for painting. Acrylic paint is commonly used on wood, and a clear coat can be applied for added durability. Sanding the wood before painting may also be necessary to avoid brush catches.
Aluminium
Painting on aluminium requires proper preparation to ensure paint adhesion. The surface must be thoroughly cleaned to remove any oil or dirt, and aluminium oxide should be minimised as it interferes with paint bonding. Using sandpaper or grinding stones can help scuff and prepare the surface. Finally, a paint specifically designed for aluminium is recommended.
Paper
Paper is a versatile and accessible surface for painting. Heavier papers, such as mixed media, watercolour, or cardboard, are suitable for acrylic paint. Gesso or a base colour coat can be applied to prevent curling or tearing. Taping the paper down to a board can also help keep it flat while painting. Regular drawing paper can also be used with a gesso coating to resist paint washes.
Rubber Toys
Rubber is a unique surface that can be painted, especially with acrylic paint for indoor items. Applying a primer before painting can improve paint adhesion and durability. Multiple coats of paint are recommended, and a sealer can be applied once dry. For outdoor rubber items, a commercial-grade marine paint may be necessary to withstand the elements.
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Preparing surfaces: Sizing, sealing, and priming to prevent discolouration and improve paint adhesion
Preparing a surface before painting is essential to prevent discolouration and improve paint adhesion. Here are some key steps to follow:
Sizing and Sealing
Sizing and sealing are crucial steps, especially when working with wood panels. Sizing involves applying a thin solution, often a weak glue, directly onto the support. This helps to isolate the wood from the ground, creating an acid-free painting surface and mitigating potential warping. Sealing creates a barrier between the wood and the ground, preventing wood tannins and lignin from seeping into the priming and paint layers, which can cause discolouration over time. This phenomenon is known as Support Induced Discolouration (SID).
Priming
Priming is a vital step that provides a stable base for the paint to adhere to. It improves the uniformity of the finish and increases the durability of the paint job. Primer seals porous surfaces, such as raw wood, ensuring that the paint coverage is even and preventing a blotchy finish. On previously painted surfaces, a primer can help cover old colours and create a uniform base. However, not all surfaces require primer; some modern paints are designed to adhere well without it, especially on already primed or painted surfaces.
Surface Preparation
Before priming, it is essential to prepare the surface by cleaning, sanding, and patching. Remove any old paint, dirt, grease, or other contaminants that can cause discolouration. Patch holes and cracks with spackling or patching compound, and sand the surface smooth. If working with new wood, it is recommended to sand before painting to open the wood's pores and improve paint adhesion. After cleaning, ensure the surface is completely dry before priming and painting to avoid issues like bubbling or poor adhesion.
Testing
Before painting the entire surface, it is advisable to test the paint in an inconspicuous spot. Prepare, prime, and paint a small area, then wait for the specified drying time. Check for any adhesion or compatibility problems before proceeding with a full-scale application.
By following these steps, you can ensure that your paint job is long-lasting, with improved adhesion and a reduced risk of discolouration.
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Paint types: Oil, watercolour, gouache, and acrylic
The surface used for painting is called a canvas, which is cut from fabric and stretched over a wooden frame. The surface is sized or sealed to prevent the fibres from absorbing moisture from the paint. It is then primed with a base coat. This base coat can be white or tinted with colour. Artists also use a board or panel made of wood or MDF to paint on.
Now, let's look at the different types of paint you can use on these surfaces:
Oil Paint
Oil paint is created by combining small particles of pigment with oil, such as linseed or nut oil. It is slow to dry, which allows artists to rework sections of their paintings over time. Oil paint also requires extensive preparatory and finishing work, including priming and cleaning brushes, knives, and palettes.
Watercolour
Watercolour paint is luminous and airy, with the white carrier making the glazed colour "shine". It is water-soluble and non-toxic, making it safe to use. Watercolour is a good medium for experimentation and skill development.
Gouache
Gouache paint, also known as tempera, is opaque and water-based, similar to watercolour. It dries quickly and can be painted light over dark or dark over light. Gouache behaves similarly to acrylic paint and is often used for realistic painting.
Acrylic Paint
Acrylic paint offers a wide spectrum of techniques and visual effects. It is water-soluble and non-toxic, making it safe to use. Acrylic paint is ideal for beginners, as it dries quickly and is easy to work with.
Each type of paint has unique characteristics and advantages, allowing artists to choose the one that best suits their creative needs and style.
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Painting tools: Brushes, pastels, and paint tubes
Painting tools are essential for achieving the perfect finish, whether you're a beginner or a professional. Here are some commonly used tools that can help you bring your artistic vision to life:
Brushes
Paintbrushes are a classic tool used to apply paint or ink. They come in various sizes, shapes, and materials, each suited to a specific purpose. Thicker brushes are typically used for filling in, while thinner brushes are ideal for adding intricate details. Brushes can be further categorized into decorators' brushes, used for painting and decorating, and artists' brushes, used for creating visual art. The bristles of a paintbrush can be made from natural materials, such as animal hair, or synthetic materials like nylon or polyester. The handle can be made of wood or plastic, while the metal ferrule secures the bristles to the handle.
Pastels
Pastels are unique painting tools that come in the form of sticks of coloured powder. They are made from finely ground pigments, a pulverized inert white filler, and a small amount of binder to hold the powder together. Pastels are usually drawn on textured paper, creating brilliant colours and striking tonal relationships in the artwork. When mixed with water, pastels can also be applied with a brush, adding accents and highlights to the piece. However, due to their powdery nature, pastel drawings are fragile and prone to smudging.
Paint Tubes
Paint tubes are a revolutionary invention that changed the art world, especially for Impressionist painters like Claude Monet. Before the invention of paint tubes, artists had to mix their paint pigments, a time-consuming process that limited their ability to paint outdoors. Paint tubes introduced new colours and allowed artists to easily carry their paint supplies to different locations, enabling them to capture landscapes and scenes directly from life.
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Easels: Collapsible and traditional
An easel is a frame used to support an artist's canvas or chalkboard. The word "easel" comes from the Dutch word "ezel", which means donkey, as an easel is used to hold things, much like how a donkey is used to carry loads.
Traditional Easels
Traditional easels are typically made of wood, with functional designs that have changed little over the centuries. They are usually fully adjustable to accommodate different angles and have built-in anti-skid plates on the feet to prevent sliding. Traditional easels can be quite big and hold large canvases but can also be stacked for easy storage. An H-frame wooden easel, for example, tends to be heavier than an A-frame and consists of a square base with an H-shaped structure attached to a central column. Some have shelves or drawers for storage and may have wheels for easy movement.
Collapsible Easels
Collapsible easels are lightweight, portable, and affordable. They are ideal for artists who want to create en plein air or "in the field". Many models come with their own carrying bag and set up instantly. Some common designs include:
- Telescoping: These easels feature telescoping tubes, allowing for independent extension and adjustment of each leg. They can support much more weight than shock cord styles.
- Retractable: These easels are made of wood and are suitable for both artwork display and field use. They collapse with the turn of a thumbscrew.
- Shock Cord: These easels assemble like a tent frame and are very affordable.
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Frequently asked questions
The board that you put your canvas/paint on is called a ground. This can refer to anything from a primed piece of canvas to an aluminium sheet.
The wooden frame that holds the canvas is called a panel.
The thin wooden board that goes under paper when painting is called MDF or plywood.
A ground is the surface on which you paint. It is usually on top of a sealant/sizing layer of the surface. It gives a suitable surface texture and an opaque colour to cover the canvas or panel.
A ground is made of gesso or primer. Gesso is made with calcium carbonate (also called whiting, chalk, or gypsum) in a binder.
