When it comes to painting on canvas, selecting the right brush can make a huge difference in how your artwork turns out. Just like the paints you use, your brushes are tools that shape the texture, details, and overall quality of your piece. Understanding the type of brushes, their shapes, and materials will empower you to make informed choices for your artwork.
Balancing creativity with the business side of running an art studio can feel overwhelming for many artists. As a studio owner, managing bookkeeping, marketing, and client relations often eats into the time and energy that should be devoted to art creation. Fortunately, several strategies can help you free up time for your craft while ensuring that your studio thrives.
Plein air painting, or painting outdoors, has captivated artists for centuries, offering a chance to connect with nature and capture its ever-changing beauty. However, painting en plein air comes with unique challenges, from fluctuating light to unpredictable weather. Whether you’re a seasoned painter or just starting your outdoor painting journey, these tips will help you embrace the experience and make the most of your time on canvas.
As a professional painter, the pursuit of media attention and public recognition can be as essential as creating the art itself. While skill and creativity are the foundation, getting your work seen by a wider audience requires a strategic approach. Here’s a roadmap to help you achieve the recognition you deserve.
Building a consistent base of high-quality clientele is crucial for art gallery owners to thrive in an increasingly competitive market. While this may seem challenging, there are proven strategies that can enhance the gallery’s visibility, reputation, and client retention.
Running a successful art studio requires more than just artistic talent; it demands a strategic approach to business. In a competitive market, achieving consistent sales growth involves a mix of creativity, marketing, and community engagement. This article outlines practical, research-backed strategies for art studio owners to boost sales and grow sustainably.
Getting your art displayed in prestigious galleries in New York, New Jersey, or other art hubs can be a turning point in your career. However, it requires a strategic approach to stand out in the competitive art world. Here’s how to navigate the process:
Canvas painting offers a unique and satisfying creative outlet, but like any artistic endeavor, it comes with its own set of challenges. Whether you’re a seasoned painter or just starting, understanding common obstacles and how to tackle them is key to producing your best work. Here, we’ll explore the primary challenges artists face when working with canvas and offer practical solutions to overcome them.
Selecting the perfect canvas for your acrylic masterpiece can be likened to choosing the ideal brushstroke—each decision shapes the final outcome. With a lot of options available, from stretched to unprimed, finding the best quality canvas can feel like navigating a labyrinth of artistic choices.
To help you choose the best canvas for your acrylic painting, here are three factors to consider:
Fabric. Painting canvases are commonly made from two materials–linen and cotton. Artists agree that linen canvas is the better canvas compared to cotton because of its durability and archival quality.
Cotton, on the other hand, provides a softer and smoother surface than linen. It’s also more accessible and budget-friendly. All of CanvasLot’s canvases are made from 100% cotton.
Prime or Umprimed. Priming a canvas gives you a smooth surface to paint on and helps prevent it from rotting. Most canvases are pre-primed with gesso to save you time and effort. Acrylic paint adheres better on a primed canvas and the paint will not sink into the canvas. All of CanvasLot’s canvas surfaces are double primed with acid-free acrylic gesso ready to be painted on.
If you enjoy preparing your canvas from scratch, you can choose an unprimed canvas and apply gesso yourself.
Types of Canvases. There are several types of canvases available in the market, each catering to different skill level, painting style, budget and desired outcome.
Stretched canvas – A stretched canvas is one of the most popular types of canvas for acrylic painting. The fabric (either linen or cotton) is stretched over and stapled on a wooden frame called stretcher bars.
Canvas panels – A more affordable alternative to stretched canvas, canvas panels are usually made from cotton that is mounted onto a rigid board. It is thinner, more portable and is a good choice for beginners.
Canvas papers – These are sheets of primed canvas that are bound together as a pad or book. Another budget-friendly option that’s ideal for students and novice artists.
Canvas rolls – A canvas roll is usually used used when creating large paintings. It is made from linen or cotton and comes in different weights, textures and fibers. You can get it primed or unprimed. Sold by yard, canvas rolls are on the expensive side of canvases. This option is ideal for an experienced painter.
In conclusion, the best canvas for acrylic painting depends on your personal preferences, skill level and budget. Whether you prefer the convenience of pre-primed canvases or the tactile allure of unprimed linen, selecting the perfect canvas is an important step in bringing your artistic vision to life.
Want to know more about canvases for painting? Contact us and we’ll gladly answer your questions.
Having an artwork is an investment both emotionally and financially. Whether you’re the painter or the art collector, making sure that your painting is in pristine condition should never be a difficult task.
Here are five simple ways on how to care, clean and store your artwork:
Dust regularly. Keep your paintings in tip-top shape by dusting them regularly. If the painting is on a wall, bring it down first and place it on the floor against a wall at an angle before dusting.
Use a soft, clean brush or a microfiber cloth to gently sweep away dust and dirt. Think of yourself as a painting detective, revealing the true beauty hidden beneath the grime! Avoid feather dusters since its fibers could latch on the canvas and edges of the paint itself.
Avoid direct sunlight. Sunlight—the painter’s best friend and worst enemy! While natural light can enhance the beauty of your artwork, prolonged exposure can cause colors to fade and canvas to deteriorate faster than last week’s leftovers.
Keep your paintings out of direct sunlight or consider using UV-filtering glass to protect them. It’s like giving your masterpiece its own pair of sunglasses!
Check the temperature and humidity. Whether you’re hanging or storing your painting, it’s important to pay attention to the room’s temperature and humidity. Avoid extreme heat and cold temperatures since these will damage your artwork.
According to art experts, between 21-24 degree Celsius is the optimal temperature to keep paintings. Be mindful of ceiling lights which can deteriorate your painting in the long run. Also, keep your paintings away from air conditioning units, radiators, fireplaces, and air vents.
Store properly. When it’s time to tuck your paintings away for a little rest, give them the VIP treatment! Store them vertically in a cool, dry place away from damp basements and hot attics.
If you’re stacking them, make sure to place protective sheets between each painting to prevent scratches and smudges. The front of the canvas should be stacked against the front–and not the back, of another canvas. Make sure that the stretcher bars rest over stretcher bars so there are no sharp edges (corners) pushing into the canvas of another painting.
Tip: Put paintings on crates or other stable platform to prevent the them from touching the ground that exposes them to dirt. And, if you live in a flood-prone area, these crates will keep your paintings safe and dry.
Handle with care. Always handle your painting with care. Hold the artwork by the frame or edges and prevent touching the surface of the painting. The oil in your fingertips can damage the artwork.
Always have acid-free paper, bubble wrap, corner protectors, foam cushions, etc. on hand. These inexpensive items will protect your painting while in storage, and during moving or shipping.