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.
Whether you’re a beginner experimenting with acrylics or a pro juggling gallery work, rising art supply costs can feel like a real creative barrier. Many contemporary artists have seen and felt that pinch but with a bit of planning and creativity, you can keep painting even when the budget tightens. Here’s how.
Whether you’re just starting out or have framed a few gallery pieces, certain pitfalls keep tripping up painters again and again. Here are those common art mistakes and how fixing them can really improve your work.
If you’ve ever shown your work and wondered, “Do I really belong here?”, you’re in good company. Most artists, from beginners to established professionals, wrestle with the fear that their work won’t be taken seriously. That fear doesn’t mean you’re failing. It means you care. The real challenge is learning to create anyway.
Here’s how to build genuine confidence and move past the worry that your art isn’t “legitimate.”
When you’re sitting with a fresh canvas (or panel) and an idea starting to form, one of the biggest opportunities and one of the most under-used is layering. Many beginners try to do everything in one go. But taking your time, building your piece in layers, can improve your work in ways that feel effortless once you get the hang of it.
When you pick up your brush and tubes, the canvas underneath matters more than you might think. The “right” canvas for acrylic painting doesn’t just support paint, it interacts with it. Whether you’re just starting or refining your materials, here’s how to choose canvases: material, texture, strength, and finish.
Painting on custom wood panels gives you a solid, long‑lasting surface and opens up creative possibilities. Here’s a clear, artist‑to‑artist guide on the best mediums to use and why they shine on wood.
When you buy painting canvases straight from the manufacturer—like CanvasLot—you gain advantages you won’t get from middlemen or big-box retailers.
Introducing children to canvas painting offers a unique opportunity to nurture their creativity and self-expression. Using custom-sized canvases can make art projects more engaging and tailored to young artists’ needs. Here are some great ideas for teachers and parents to inspire children:
Painters, mixed media artists, and muralists often explore diverse techniques and materials, making them well-suited to teach others. By offering workshops and tutorials, you can diversify your income while fostering a community of creativity. Here’s how to establish yourself as an educator in this field: