Making mini canvas for painting?

Question

Im trying to figure out what materials are used in creating mini canvasses for painting. Mainly interested in finding out what is used to coat the canvas and what kind of paint is used ideally. Any information on this subject will be appreciated.

Answer 1

It depends on whether you are trying to save money or not, if you have lots, then get a picture framer/canvas maker to make as many mini canvasses as you need, it will give him an income and give you what you need.

If, like most artists, you are broke, then yes, masonite (MDF), wood, plasterboard, plyboard, etc., cut to size, with muslin or canvas glued onto them with PVA glue then primed with standard household emulsion paint work very well.

As to what paints to use, there are really only 2 logical choices for canvas work, oil or acrylic.

Oils are traditional and take a long time to dry but have a great depth to them.

Acrylics are faster drying and more versatile in my opinion, but people don't seem to attach the same worth to them as oils.

Good Luck.

Answer 2

If you absolutely want canvas texture, lay a piece of PAINTER'S canvas on a thin masonite (1/4 as long as it's small so it won't warp. Otherwise, go thicker.). Generously paint acrylic medium (mate) on the masonite, quickly put one generous coat on one side of the canvas and put it face down on the still medium wet masonite. Push the bubbles out of the way and put a coat of medium on the top side of the canvas to make sure everything is bonded with each other (including the canvas wrapping around the edge of the masonite).
You may want to gesso it or not, it's up to you if you want the full grain of the canvas or not. Go ahead and paint in acrylic or oils.

REMEMBER "fat over lean" when mixing media ! Meaning always use oil based paints on top of other type of paints such as latex or acrylics. Remember how oil floats on top of water ? Same thing on the canvas. Fat over lean.

Answer 3

I have made my own by stretching men's old shirts out tight (Push pins on wood covered with plastic), and coating with gesso. A pain. I've stretched them over plastic food containers as well and held them in place with a rubber-band. It makes a round canvas, and fun to work with. You can easily buy treated canvas from an art store, cut it any size you want, and pin it to wood or cardboard while you are painting it. Watercolors work well on the canvas, really! I think I'm the only one I know who does it though. Oils are wonderful, too.

Answer 4

My wife paints on masonite covered with gesso. It's easy enough to cut it any size. She paints in oil and I paint in acrylic. I have always liked canvas but I recently tried masonite and loved it. I may switch permanently!

Answer 5

Try small pieces of wood paneling or Masonite coated with Gesso

Answer 6

you can paint over anything- canvas, wood, masonite, just as long as you coat it in gesso, which you can get at your art store, its a mix of glue and white paint.