How to paint more painterly


I want to talk today about canvas or panels - what we call color support or what you know as the material that you apply paint to. There are some pretty good reasons to have certain types of supports and I’m going to try and cover those right now. First, I want to talk about the canvas type then I’ll discuss panels. 
What I see as a really huge re-occurring issue for artists is painting on store bought canvas. The reason that this is generally bad is two fold; first is that its super absorbent and second is that the weave is really strong due to a lot of grain/texture. If you are a seasoned painter that uses a lot of paint when you paint you can get away with a store bought canvas.   But most newbie painters don’t understand why a store bought canvas can be a challenge so I will explain why.
            Let’s say you’ve got a paint brush and you are going to make a brush stroke, for example near the top of your canvas. What happens when make a brush stroke is the paint sits right on the top. Then, as the paint starts to dry the oil gets sucked down into the little valley’s created by the rough canvas.  Imagine a zigzag stroke of paint to which you recently placed a new stroke of paint on. All of that beautiful paint gets pushed down and flattened out. This happens for two reasons; first is because the canvas is very absorbent, which is typical with acrylic gesso, and second because the weave is so strong. Another negative aspect of this canvas type happens when you “lick the canvas”.  Licking is the process by which a painter applies the same brush stroke over and over.   When you do this, all you are doing is pushing the paint down into these valleys. When the paint dries, all of the oil is absorbed into the gesso and instead of looking like a painting it looks like a colored canvas where you see very few or no brush strokes at all.   It looks like someone colored the canvas very similarly to airbrushing.

            So if you apply a couple of coats of acrylic gesso these gaps get filled. For example, by adding another layer of gesso on that spot that was mentioned above we will fill in those gaps and holes and when you come back in with another layer of paint it will have more of a tendency to stay on the surface. What does that mean on the final painting? It means that the paint is going to sit on top of the surface and the integrity of the brush stroke will be maintained. It will look like more of a painting and less like a colored canvas.
            Now, unless you like the look of a colored canvas with no brush strokes, if you use store bought canvas, I suggest you apply three or four coats of gesso.  When all layers are dry, sand it kind of smooth.  Your paintings are going to look so much richer because the paint will sit up on the surface and you’ll see the brush strokes.  If you have a tendency to lick the painting as discussed above, it will be less noticeable when working on the smoother surface.
           If you like to work on panels the same process works.  Take some masonite panels or mdf board and paint two to three coats of gesso on them.  When dry, sand those to get the same kind of surface.  An even smoother panel works well to keep the paint on the surface.

48 comments:

  1. I have never painted on gesso but have learned about it my art classes. That is something I would love to try and see the differences!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Good tips, I am new to the painting game and can use many tips to help my style develop more!

    ReplyDelete
  3. This is very helpfull. Thanks for the insight!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Thanks for the comments on my site - like your too! Great to get good painting tips!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I knew the panels were too absorbent, but now I know why! This was helpful.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Thanks for stopping by my blog LittleBirdSeeds and leaving a comment. Please feel free to come back and become a follower via GFC too.
    I like your blog, and tips. I personally don't use oil paints, but maybe someday I'll try again. I found that I prefer acrylics, and watercolor paints. I also found that I really enjoyed using torn paper form a magazine when I created a multimedia work for my niece’s graduation gift. I hope you had the chance to view my Artwork page, but if not here is the link http://littlebirdseeds.blogspot.com/p/my-recent-artwork.html.
    Tana

    ReplyDelete
  7. Thanks for the tips! I'm an artist myself and I enjoy your artwork! I'm also a fan of Picasso. I use acrylic and watercolor. But I prefer acrylic. When I do my artwork I feel a sence of peace when I work. I just love the feeling I get when i paint. It's like rose is just blooming and I'm enjoying the sun.
    Love your post!

    ReplyDelete
  8. New here. How did u find me?
    Just curious. I am a abstract painter and photographer
    outside of my blog. I have posted pic of my paintings. Once
    called one time only. Let me know what u think

    ReplyDelete
  9. Thanks everyone for your nice comments and feed back NEW tip of the week tomorrow so subscribe now to get it delivered to you...the tips on this site only reflect a small percentage of my tips out there in cyberville. THANK YOU ALL!
    Daniel

    ReplyDelete
  10. Thanks Daniel for your comments, you have a great blog too. It's always good to hear from fellow bloggers!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Thank you Daniel for the lovely comments left on my blog. Great tips you give us.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Thank you for dropping by my angel blog. I'm so glad you enjoyed my cloud art paintings. I will enjoy coming back to learn more about oils.

    Have a wonderful rest of the week!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Love your blog and I look forward to receiving your newsletter! Thank you for stopping by my blog and leaving a comment. We are trying to get an art collective started in our community....Gary is also a landscape painter, and we are looking for ways to set up a gallery here at the Inn. We are also tossing around the idea of doing a "paint inn" weekend...where artists can come and spend the weekend painting our beautiful areas, and connect with other artists!
    Thanks again
    Jamie~your Innkeeper
    Applesauce Inn B&B Bellaire, MI

    ReplyDelete
  14. You left a nice post on my site as well, thanks. My great-grandmother painted with oils. I have been learning watercolors, but there are limits in this. I have been gearing towards oils, which seems so serious compared to charcoal and watercolors.
    I look forward to exploring, and sharing with the sites you have perused. Thanks for forming an "instant" community for a new artist/blogger.
    Your paintings please my eyes.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Daniel,

    Thanks for your comments on my blog! I'm glad you liked it. I've just had a quick look at your blog and I'm feeling really inspired now. I love painting but haven't picked up a brush since my first child was born nearly 6 years ago now. Having looked at your stuff on here I think I'll have to dig out my easel and brushes again! Thanks!

    Anthea

    ReplyDelete
  16. Hi Daniel, Thanks for your nice comments, glad you're enjoying my site!
    Very much looking forward to having a proper delve into yours, it looks very helpful! :D
    Laura

    ReplyDelete
  17. Magnificent blog - I am self-taught so I appreciate it all the more!!!!! Really great work!!!

    ReplyDelete
  18. This is such a great tip! I was recently letting the kids paint some store bought panels and I could not believe how quickly the paint got soaked up! It was insane. I love your blog. It is clear you dedicate a ton of time to writing excellent content. Beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Thank you so much, I like your blog too. Please feel free to follow me :)
    xx

    ReplyDelete
  20. This was very insightful. Thanks for the tip. I will definately have to try this.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Thank you for providing great information about painting and color. My technique often includes layers of paint and sometimes sanding the canvas to create depth & texture. I was interested to read about applying more gesso to those purchased canvases, because I have wondered about that in the past. Thank you also for visiting my Calico blog too.

    ReplyDelete
  22. You are awesome and inspiring!! Thank you for a great blog..I haven't painted for years, but you've inspired me to start again, thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Great tips and very helpful. Have a great week xo

    ReplyDelete
  24. I was just browsing by and had a look at your painting tips and posts, some useful, interesting stuff :D Cheers!

    Visit Us @ App-O-Plectic

    ReplyDelete
  25. Hi- thanks for leaving a comment on my blog. I have not painted with oils since high school. I do use acrylics and paint on wood for crafts- nothing compared to what you do, for sure, but couldn't you base coat the canvas first to avoid the abosobtion problem. I base coat everything and let it cure over night. That allows a stable base to work on and to blend and even scrub on it I wish. I always let that cure overnight, too, before floating my shadows on.
    Oils are one thing on my list to do. I was waiting for my kids to grow up and leave home so they would be safe while in the drying stages. LOL
    I will keep checking back in here and I can't wait to check out some of your other posts.
    Hugs- Tete

    ReplyDelete
  26. Thank you all for your very kind feedback...Daniel

    ReplyDelete
  27. I like your blog as well ! Thanks for the comment on mine. Thought all this time I was talking to myself. :)

    ReplyDelete
  28. Thanks for your comment......you are my first.

    ReplyDelete
  29. Thanks Daniel - I like your blog TOO!!! Very helpful information!!! I'm going to enjoy reading your posts from now on =)

    ReplyDelete
  30. Thanks for your comment on my blog. I enjoyed your ideas about critiquing. I have had good luck with the critique groups I've helped to found by requiring that only people with a work to submit to the critique process can participate.

    ReplyDelete
  31. Thanks for stopping by! Haven't used oils for a LOOONGGGG time but may well stop by again for a bigger rummage...!

    ReplyDelete
  32. The best site so far that I've visited regarding arts. Daniel you are a real generous person for sharing these...
    We will sure share this site to our art community...
    http://www.facebook.com/Artloverforever

    ReplyDelete
  33. THANKS FOR READING MY BLOG....I LIKE YOUR BLOG TOO...

    ReplyDelete
  34. I'll have to try this. I keep wondering where all my strokes are going?

    ReplyDelete
  35. Hi Daniel, oh my, you are talented. I profess to having painted with acrylics some years back for the gift show environment. Dummy boards textured and painted to look like angels and santas and all kinds of commercial type 'art'. They were very successful but I burned out on them because it became too big of a business.

    My next attempt was two watercolor painting classes...and I think I gave both teachers migraines. I tend to push the feeling I want and watercolor teachers get really ticked off when you use that paint impasto. Who knew?

    Anyway, you should link up your e-mail to your google account because it's hard to respond to your visits without that. If you're not sure how to do it, let me know and I'll try and tell you where to find it!

    ReplyDelete
  36. Thanks for your comment, I look forward to browsing through some of your 'tips and tricks'. I can't wait to learn something new to try out.

    ReplyDelete
  37. Daniel,
    Like opening a fabulous gift when I saw you had visited my Blog. Thank you. You are inspiring many artists and I am appreciative of what I'm learning in your Blog. Thanks for sharing.
    Darlene Campbell(Freenie Belle)

    ReplyDelete
  38. I never thought of different canvasses as being a contributing factor to the final outcome.

    Interesting information. I'm glad to see that you're someone who actually knows what he's talking about as opposed to someone just copying and pasting what they've "learned" online.

    ReplyDelete
  39. good tips you have on here. I am just experimenting with oils after years of acrylic. I am a little ill at ease and know little asidefrom reading. Mainly am self taught artist.

    ReplyDelete
  40. thank you for leaving a comment on my blog. your tips are very helpful. I don't consider myself an artist but I do paint and love doing it.

    ReplyDelete
  41. I have been told over and over again to gesso several times a store bought canvas but this is the first persuasive reason I have read. I have been painting on paper lately because it's so immediate and it absorbs paint in a way that makes sense to my painting habits.

    ReplyDelete
  42. Hey, Great tips on painting....I do some painting also...I love to use oil paint and I'm glad I found you enjoy the same thing!
    Have a great weekend! Mandy (kashagray5)

    ReplyDelete
  43. Ohh wow,i like your blog!!
    I think your tips and tricks will make my paintings easier to manage~
    I never thought that different canvasses would affect the final outcome of the paintings!
    I do oil paintings of landscapes that have 'water' themes n__n
    Ahh life will be easier with your posts!
    Your blog is great!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  44. wow, great professional tips... im gonna try them the next time i paint :P

    ReplyDelete
  45. Thanks for visiting my blog. I am a semi-professional painter in oils (that means I sold one painting(: I usually use portrait grade pre-stretched canvas, and then seal it with 2 coats of gesso. I often tint the gesso (blue if I'm working with sea and sky for instance) if I am working with a limited palette, as I think it gives the paint more depth.

    Commonsensical

    ReplyDelete
  46. Thanks for the tips! It's nice to be able to understand the 'why' of it all. :)

    ReplyDelete
  47. I have used the gesso method and I do like the way it gives a smooth surface on which to paint, especially working on a portrait. Thank you for all the good tips you give we novices and I will continue to read all of your tips.
    Betty Kuhn

    ReplyDelete