Short answer: sometimes. Longer answer: it depends on the medium, the purpose of the work, and how you expect it to live in the world.
Sealing a painting isn’t a universal rule, and it’s one of those topics where artists hear a lot of confident advice that doesn’t always apply.
If you’ve ever stood in front of a massive painting and thought, How did they even get that thing?, you’re asking a very normal question. Those oversized canvases don’t magically appear in studios. They’re planned, built, and handled with a lot more problem-solving than most people realize.
Here’s how artists actually do it.
When you’re standing in front of a blank canvas, one of the first questions you’ll face is what paint should I use? The answer isn’t one-size-fits-all but understanding the properties of the main paint types makes choosing easier whether you’re just starting or have years in the studio.
In art education, the materials we introduce students to are as important as the concepts we teach. One surface that deserves more attention in classrooms, studios, and workshops is the wood panel. From Renaissance masters through to contemporary artists, rigid wooden supports have played a vital role in the history of painting. Including them into art education not only broadens students’ technical skills but also deepens their understanding of artistic traditions and material behavior.
There’s something thrilling about standing in front of a large canvas. The scale invites bold decisions, expressive gestures, and a physical connection to your art that smaller formats simply can’t match. But that sense of freedom can also come with challenges: intimidation, proportion issues, time management, and even fatigue. Here’s a guide to help you approach large canvases with confidence and clarity.
Getting a smooth finish on canvas, one where the paint flows beautifully and transitions look seamless, is something many painters work toward, whether you’re just starting out or have been in studios for years. The good news? It’s as much about preparation and technique as raw talent.
If you’ve ever wondered why so many painters talk about preparing their canvas before laying down color, you’re in the right place. Taking the time to prime and prepare your canvas pays off in ways that go far beyond neatness. It changes how your paints behave, how your colors look, and how your finished work feels.
If you’re a painter, art lecturer, or creative hobbyist, you’ve probably worked on canvas and paper. But wood panels are quietly winning over contemporary studios, and for good reasons. They’re not just old-school supports for oil paint anymore. Wood panels offer a playground of tactile, structural, and conceptual possibilities that many artists are only beginning to tap into.
Wood panels are a favorite support for artists because they are rigid, durable and great for fine detail. But unlike canvas, wood responds to moisture and humidity by expanding and contracting. When that movement isn’t balanced, the panel can warp. Here’s how you can prevent warping and address it when it happens.
Artists spend time choosing materials, layering paint, and refining compositions, but once it’s finished, the big question usually comes up: Do I need to frame this canvas? The honest answer is it depends. There’s no strict rule, and both framed and unframed canvases have their place. What matters most is the artwork, your intent, and how you want it to be experienced.