Pros and Cons of Canvas vs. Paper for Acrylic Painters
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- Опубликовано: 13 окт 2024
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In this video I want to go into the details about paper vs canvas. One of the questions I often get here on the channel is whether I work on paper or canvas.
I'll talk about some of the differences between canvas and paper and loose sheets of paper and unstretched canvas. How to avoid the impression of the stretcher bar when painting on stretched canvas.
There is also the issue of absorbency and he texture. And the bounce of the canvas vs the firma flat surface of working on paper.
Lastly I'll cover a few topics related to the difference of cost between paper and canvas in relation to framing the finished artwork.
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Great points about the pros and cons of paper vs. canvas! I also fight with "stretcher bar marks" on pre-stretched canvas a lot and used the cardboard trick ;) Another budget option for large formats can be plywood or MDF boards. These can also be used as temporary bases for an even cheaper option: Mounting wet paper on it. One doesn't even need to use watercolour paper - even cheap packaging paper a.k.a. “Kraft Paper” on large rolls will do, which can be primed with gesso or just white wall color for use with acrylics.
Yes these are great suggestions, thanks so much!
Do you remove the paper from the board after you’ve finished? Or just leave it mounted on the board?
@@annabelcleare138 It is glued on the edges with gum paper, so it's easy to cut off. Then the boards can be re-used, and the painting can be rolled up for easy storage. When I have a nice result that I want to display, I mount it on some other cardboard or other base.
@@StefanJUlrichbrilliant! Thank you for your swift reply 🙏👌🙂
Thanks for your insights. Very helpful 👏👍.
As an amateur, painting on paper feels more free. On canvas, I cannot get rid of the idea that it must not fail. Silly perhaps, but it holds me back. Therefore almost exclusively use paper, 50 by 50 cm, with two layers of Gesso at each side. As you pointed out yourself, storage is an issue too, especially as, since my retirement, production has gone up 😉.
2 layers of gesso on each side of paper? I did not know this as I work on canvas but am transitioning to paper. Does gesso keep paper from buckling?
Following
@@barbwheeler8526yes it does, but beware, I use Canson 400 g/m3 acrylic paper. I can even glue paper on it as I make collages.
you use plain paper or textured one? I found it hard when I tried on textured one though, perhaps it’s just not for acrylic
@@alvianimron5525 There are hardly any materials not suited for acrylics, but using special acryl paper helps. Textured paper or not would, IMHO, not make difference, but wieght of the paper does (see my comment above). Good luck.
I've only recently started brush painting , but what you say about using loose canvas makes total sense to me. Seems like it would rid you a bit of "structure" so to speak. I mean, once your painting is finished, you can stretch it over anything your imagination and skill set will allow. With your typical presized canvas, you're literally thinking INSIDE the box (square) before you even wet a brush! LOL I think loose canvas is the substrate I'll focus on. Thanks for sharing your insight!
One thing about paper is that it’s more absorbing, so it can make the paints duller and dry faster which is a problem for blending. Also, OPEN acrylics or extenders loose their slow drying agents. Some artists in WetCanvas forums recommend to add a layer of GAC 100 to seal the paper, wait 24 hours then add 2 layers of gesso. You can sand it to make it smoother. Probably better to batch all that work.
I enjoy watching your tutorials and exploration of painting. You are so generous to share your skills and experience so freely. I used to paint with soft pastels, but gave it up for over 20 years. With retirement, I started in 2023 to paint in acrylics, mostly landscapes so far and your tutorials give me inspiration to paint more loosely, with different tools, and no end of new ideas. Thank you for giving me and all your followers new goals and new insights that should keep us active for years to come. God bless you.
Yes! I found the same “bouncing” issue with canvas and how I paint!! I love this entire presentation, and I’ve stuck with doing most work on paper. Storage is an issue so paper is definitely the way to go for me, in most cases. But, as you mentioned the framing is pricey! I often use wood gallery wrapped boards now and like working on them very much. Great presentation!❤
Yes they are a great option too, thanks for sharing :)
Such a good discussion! I started out teaching myself rosemaling out of a book that detailed how to prepare wood, mix my own mediums and all the other things a very long time ago. I loved painting on wood! Eventually, I took classes in decorative painting so more wood plus some on canvas. The canvas was fun, but I was not used to the concept! I have done watercolors for years now and have often thought that I wouldn't have room for the number of canvases that I have in paper! I have heard a few oil painters have very negative reactions to anyone not painting in oil, and that is so tiresome. Canvas is not the thing that determines art! LOL! I appreciate your desire to help us all have confidence in what we do!
I am working on paper for years and I love it.
Yes exactly, thanks for watching :)
This is the perfect video. I can't imagine using only one type of surface to work on. They all have their own unique traits, but figuring out how they work is part of the artistic journey I'm in, and never want to stop. Thanks again for your insight, inspiration, and willingness to share with others. ❤
Thanks so much for watching and leaving such a kind comment, Ed :-)
thank you - I love working on paper and felt that I NEEDED to work on canvas - feeling much better about it now :)
Yes me too - let's not give in to the pressure ;-)
Thank you Marie Louise’ thank you for your guidance’. I agree storage is an issue and paper a little less so’. I work on paper much more this year. But love the freedom of larger canvases!
I love your work, your tutorials and advice! I have just return to your channel. I participated in many of your tutorials a couple of years ago and was so pleased with my paintings that resulted from your expert guidance. However, I got sidetracked (painting abstract portraits) but have returned home to your loose, free style of painting abstract landscapes. Thank you so much for all that you share., You are an AMAZING artist and person.
Thanks for your feedback Paulette - I’m so glad you are pleased with your results😊🌻🌻 thanks for watching and keep up the good work 🎨🎨
Thank you for a wonderful informative talk on paper versus canvas. I do prefer gessoed watercolour paper but have been lately working on stretched canvases because it’s too expensive to frame the paper ones and for storage. I haven’t tried unstretched canvas as I have nowhere to put it on a wall. I have mounted some paper paintings on wooden panels like some of the American painters are doing. Have sold some like that too. My favourite is paper though as I spent years with watercolour on 300gsm paper and love it. Thanks so much.
I love paper too! Thanks for watching :)
Large sheets of watercolor paper are cheaper (per square meter) than even the 100-page pack. If I have the option, I'll get the sheets and cut them down. Or they can be divided with masking tape to work on a series.
Thank you for sharing! I use heavy paper, I use watercolor when following your tutorials. Taking my time as a beginner. I really like your style of explaining your painting style.❤❤
I'm glad you like it and thanks for watching :-)
I appreciate your thoughts, thank you.
I really needed this information. Thank you. (The issue of the bounce or "softness" of preframed canvas has been a distraction for some of my work which has led to my preference of working on various papers.)
Glad it was helpful!
Mostly paper for storage reasons, and as I'm learning/practising and, not selling things, haven't framed anything. Yes, cost is an issue, especially when you're not selling stuff. Also, I stretch paper to keep it flat for practice. Perhaps I should look again to see how much space there is under my bed.
Your work is so inspiring and beautiful, thank you. I'd just like to ask, do you use watered down acrylic paint on your canvases, as you do on water colour paper? Thank you!🥰
💜 Ty for the 5 tips.
Thanks for another interesting video! I use oil paints and I also prefer to paint on canvas cut from a roll and attached to a board backing but I'm interested to know how you treat your canvas once the painting is finished. Do you stretch it on stretcher bars before getting it framed or do you leave the whole thing to your framer? I've been experimenting mounting smaller work to plywood using archival PVA but as you go bigger this becomes impractical. Thanks
I always paint on paper or primed card when using acrylics . One thing that can be an issue is that the paper buckles when wet, another is that the absorption of the paper can result in the paint looking duller and flatter when the paint dries and the tonal value range seems to narrow.
I use Strathmore 400 Series watercolor paper (140 lb) for painting with acrylic. I prime it first with multiple thin layers of gesso. The paper will buckle ever so slightly during the first coat or two of gesso, but then flattens out and behaves beautifully.
I've found that cheaper paper of the same 140 lb weight does buckle more, but nothing that a few heavy books can't solve.
If worst comes to worst, you can always stretch the paper first, like watercolorists do. Search for videos on using gatorboard for stretching paper, that seems like the easiest way to do it.
Regardless, gesso is your friend!
Thank you for the amazing videos been following for a few weeks now. Really enjoy the painting loose tips. I have a question about removing stretcher bar marks on a painted piece, does anyone know what the best way to remove the marks would be? Without substantially changing the painting itself.
Great advice. I love your work.
Thanks so much :)
Thank you❤
Thank you a good insight. ❤
Tak for endnu en meget informativ video :)
Mange tak for det :-)
I'm about to try out gluing ironed canvas to flat board...no bounce or edge probs I guess...you ever tried this? like your vids - v inspiring to help loosen up too.
Thanks for sharing. I have a reflection regarding framing paperwork. I am not at all a professional artists and when I attend an exhibition it is more often together with others and not in a real gallery. I haven’t had my work framed by a professional framer as it is frankly too expensive and what if the buyer doesn’t like the frame that I’ve chosen … What are your thoughts about cheaper framing or perhaps only have them in a passerpatout? I understand that if you exhibits at a gallery other rules apply ;-).
I do all of the above. I've had some professionally framed. Some I frame myself in nice pre-made frames. One of the galleries I work with has some of my paperworks in a browse-bin and they are presented with passepartout and a clear cellophane type covering.
Thank you for the recommendations! I'm going to get the 100 set once I run out of my current 12 pad. I also just recently signed up for your abstract landscape course and am so excited to learn and practice more!
That sounds awesome - welcome to the course :-)
Thank you so much for sharing some great points. May I ask why you do not seem to use acrylic paper? Thank you.
Only reason is I tend to use what I already have e.g. watercolor paper
Thank you for your help again
Thanks for watching :-)
I'm doing a portrait fir the longest time now in acrylic on paper. I have found, so correct me if I'm wrong, but on paper the colour gets darker for me the next day, but on paper it stays the same
Which is preferable: paper made of cotton or pulp? I’ve noticed some brands offering specialized paper for acrylics. Do you have any thoughts on that?
Cotton paper makes a big difference with watercolors because of prolonged drying time, and more even drying of wet layers. If you paint very diluted washes of acrylic paint (in watercolor technique) then you might get nicer gradients, fewer hard edges, etc. But if you paint in less liquid or impasto technique, it makes no difference whether it's cotton or cellulose.
Thanks for your thoughts. When you finish a painting on wall mounted canvas, do you then stretch them onto stretcher bars, mount them onto something, or take them to a framer?
Yes some I stretch myself on stretcher bars and some of them I let the framer stretch for me.
Thank you for this very useful video. Someone commented earlier that they find the paint on paper looks flat amd has a narrow tonal range. I find the opposite: colours look brighter on paper (I usually paint in acrylic on watercolour paper or mixed media paper) but on canvas they always seem a bit dull and lacklustre. This discourages me from using canvas. I wonder why this happens? Do others experience this?
Even when I buy a pre-primed canvas, I still give it a coat or two more of gesso myself. I've seen other videos that say the canvas manufacturers spray the gesso on, resulting in a super thin to almost nonexistent layer. Without the extra layer(s) of gesso, the canvas may be too absorbent, hence the loss of sheen and vibrancy as your paint sinks into the canvas instead of sitting on top of it,
Hi marie Louise - IIs it too late to take your latest course? If so, will you be offering again soon? Thankyou.
Great vidoe Thanks. I wonder what you to with the canvas on the wall when you're finished with the painting? Do you fraim it afterwards? If that's the case, is it a risk that the paint crack?
Yes they are stretched on stretcher bars. No risk of paint cracking - I paint relatively thin layers and both the canvas and paint are flexible.
I guess one could have issues if they painted very thick impasto all the way to the edge or use cheap paint but for me it's not an issue :-)
@@TheDanishPainter Thank you for answering and have a great day.
I love your art, by the way 😀
What are your thoughts regarding cardboard as a surface?
Is there any special paper for acrylic paints?
Watercolor and mixed media paper are suitable for acrylics because they have a coating that prevents paint from sinking into the paper, and water will not damage those papers. But any paper can be used with acrylics (even cardboard packaging) after being primed with gesso.
Hi Marie,how can I contact you?
Thanks for the great advice. I am a bit embarrassed to listen to a lady from Denmark, that cn speak the Kings English bettter I speak myself,,,, Thank you
Do you gesso your paper ?
yes, yes, yes!!