Since before the Renaissance, painting on canvas has been a tradition.Artists have used canvas to make art for hundreds of years.You can paint the way the masters of the art world have done for hundreds of years if you have the right materials.
Step 1: Know what the types are.
You need an easel to start painting.You need to decide what the main function of your easel will be when you buy it.Think about where you will do most of your painting.You need a small easel to paint on the go.You need a medium sized easel to paint in a small space.If you have a large studio space, you can invest in a larger easel.
Step 2: Purchase a travel easel.
The weight and collapsing features are the most important things to consider when looking for a travel easel.There are many types.It is possible to buy a lightweight one with collapsible tripod legs.It's possible to get one that folds up and fits into a travel case.The Jullian Plein Air Easel PA1 is a good model.
Step 3: You can use a compact easel.
If you don't have a lot of space, try an easel table.These can be used on desks or tables of any size.They don't take up room on the floor because they have a sturdy base that sits on any flat surface.They are either H framed or collapsible and come in wood or metal.They are capable of holding canvases as large as 35 inches.The stand on the back can shift to fit any angle.There are two models of the Art & Craft Work Station.If you don't have a lot of floor space to devote to your easel, there are some compact freestanding easels.They can fold up smaller for easy storage and give great stability for small to medium canvases.They are made of metal and wood.Look for models such as Windsor &Newton's Shannon.
Step 4: Try a large easel.
Large studio easels are used for a long time.They have the ability to hold large canvases and are heavy duty.You can get ones with masts large enough for you to work on the bottom of the canvas at eye level.Try the Santa Fe II models.
Step 5: Decide on your paints.
There are two main types of paint used on canvas.Both of them have pros and cons.The way in which you want to paint it is what determines the one you choose.You should consider the pros and cons of each before making a decision.The paints are dry quickly.If you want to apply crisp lines, this can help.It can be hard to mix paint and painting on large surfaces.Blending color is hard, but you can get a defined edge.They don't change color over time, but they look darker when they dry.The paint will dry all the way through thick layers.They don't have a smell and are non toxic.The brushes come off with water.The oil paints take longer to dry.It's hard to make crisp lines with the extra drying time.They make easy transitions between colors.The canvas can be damaged by the oil.When the paint is dry, it remains the same color.As the oil oxidizes, it will yellow.Turpentine is used to thin the oils to make them toxic.You can use watercolors on canvas, even if it isn't as popular.The lighter and less crisp look of these can give a great atmosphere.
Step 6: Pick the brushes.
You need brushes to paint.Depending on the medium you plan to paint with, the type of brushes that you need will be different.There are eight different types of brushes.They are made with natural and synthetic fibers.You should buy synthetic brushes if you plan on using them.Natural hair brushes are made of materials that degrade over time.Natural fiber brushes are better for painting oil.The bristles make more marks on the canvas.Make sure the synthetic brushes you buy are made for oil paints.Otherwise, they can break down.The round, flat, bright, and filbert types are the most common brushes.If you want to do detail work, you can use the pointed round, angular flat, fan, and detailed round brushes.
Step 7: Other materials should be gathered.
There are other things you need to paint.You need a paint tray to mix your colors.You can get a cover to keep your paints from drying out.A color chart is needed to mix different colors.You may need to use palette knives to mix colors and paint large areas of canvas.An apron can be used to keep your clothes clean.
Step 8: You can choose your canvas.
There are a lot of things to consider when choosing a canvas.You need to choose what size canvas you want for your project.You have to pick a material for your canvas.You can buy shapes and sizes from art supply and craft stores.Canvases are as small as a few inch square and as large as the wall.The canvas sizes range from 11 x 14 to 48 x 72 inches.There are two types of canvas, linen and cotton.Both of them hold oil and paint.It takes more work to paint cotton than it does to make it cheaper.It costs more to wear linen.If you want to stretch your own canvas, you can purchase the fabric and wooden frame.Most people buy their canvases before they are stretched.
Step 9: Pick your size.
A type of glue is used to size your canvas.This helps fill the holes in the canvas.The paints won't be absorbed and shaped when you start.Depending on the type of paint you are working with, the size you need depends on it.You don't have to size your canvas if you are working with watercolors.The canvas is stable for painting by many painters.If you are working with oil, size is important.Rabbit skin glue is the most traditional way to size a canvas.The most popular size for oil is poly vinyl acetate.You can use both of them.Before you use rabbit skin glue on the canvas, you need to mix it with water.
Step 10: The first coat should be applied.
The canvas has a generous amount of your size on it.Use a large brush to paint the size across the canvas.Allow for 30 minutes to dry.You need to do this in straight strokes.You do not want your size to be different.The size should be applied to every side of the canvas.Over time, this will prevent degradation.
Step 11: A second coat should be applied.
If you want to paint the canvas with the same brush, pour more size onto it.If there are holes in the canvas that haven't been filled, rub this layer into it.Take your brush and move it along the surface in even strokes as you finish the second layer.Allow it to dry.You may need a third layer if your size looks a little thin.The quality of the size you use will affect this.
Step 12: Understand the method.
The canvas needs to beprimed to get it ready for painting.Gesso is a paint like material.Once the paint is applied, the gesso creates a surface for it to stick to.You need toprime your canvas after the second layer has dried.The medium you intend to paint with will affect the primer you use.Natural lighting is provided by the white or translucent colors they come in.Different types of gesso are associated with oil, acrylic, and watercolors.Most of the time, acrylic gesso is used for oil painting.Underneath the ground, it is used to paint watercolors on a canvas.
Step 13: Start painting.
You can put the gesso on the canvas.You can paint it with a large brush.You have to wait 30 minutes to 1 hour for the gesso to dry.
Step 14: Apply more layers.
Your canvas needs to be turned 90 degrees.You should apply another coat of gesso the same way you applied the first.Continue until you have enough layers.You need three layers of gesso.Oil paint requires four layers of gesso.Pre-primed canvases don't need the size or gesso applied to them, so you can buy them.
Step 15: A smooth surface is created.
The smooth surface is preferred by some painters.Add one layer of gesso to your canvas if you do.After the canvas is dry, rub a piece of coarse sandpaper on it.On top of the first, apply as many coats of gesso as you need.There is sand between each one.
Step 16: The canvas should beprimed for watercolors.
You need something extra on the canvas if you want to use watercolors on it.You apply two coats of gesso the same way you apply oils.Golden's Absorbent Ground can be applied on top of that.Use a brush or roller to paint the ground on the canvas.Wait 30 minutes to 1 hour between coats to let it dry, then apply another layer.The ground should be applied to the canvas.The ground should be dry for 24 hours before you start painting.
Step 17: Paint a picture.
A background color is required in some paintings.Depending on the subject matter, this will be different.If you need one, you have to start with this.Paint your background color with a large brush.Before you apply your other paints or sketch out your image, make sure you have this.
Step 18: Begin your work.
You can start working on your canvas now that you have your brushes and paints.Since you have chosen the colors that you need, you should have an idea of what you want to paint.Before you start painting, you can sketch the outline of what you want to paint on the canvas.You can start painting on the canvas if you are working on a more abstract work.
Step 19: The high and low lights should be applied.
If you are working on a topic, you should start with the low and highlights.You should apply the lightest and darkest colors to the sketch you made.You can blend the middle ground shades on top of them.Make sure you clean your brushes with turpentine when using oil paints.If you don't, you will get paint build up and ruin your brushes.If you are using watercolors, rinsing them out is fine.