Oil Painting Lesson – an Introduction to Oil Painting Supports
Ralph Serpe asked:
An oil painting support is any surface that oil paint can be applied to. There are a variety of different surfaces that artists use to paint on. Everything from certain woods, canvas, and even metals can serve as supports for oil paint. This article will introduce you to those various supports and hopefully help you decide which support is best for your style of oil painting.
LINEN
Linen is made from the fibers of the flax plant. The plants are harvested and then left to soak in water until the outside of the plant rots away leaving the fibers underneath. The fibers are then processed into yarns or threads which are then woven into canvas. The fibers of the flax plant are long and quite strong and make for a very interesting and durable painting support. Paintings executed on this surface have withstood the test of time. It is for this reason that linen canvas is a favorite amongst professional oil painters. Unfortunately linen canvas is rather expensive and may not be the best option for beginners. If you are interested in learning more about linen canvas, check your local art store or go online and do a search. There are a variety of different linen canvases available, from rolled canvas to pre-stretched. It comes primed for acrylic and oils, or you can get it unprimed as well.
COTTON
Cotton canvas is the most popular support for beginner oil painters. It is a relatively strong material and much cheaper than linen. It has a very even and mechanical weave. There is a big debate going on in the art world over which is the better painting support, linen or canvas? What support will last longer? This is really a matter of personal opinion and taste. I know many artists, including myself, who use cotton canvas exclusively. Other artists swear by linen. If the surface is sized correctly, then your painting will be well protected from rot and will last a long time. So when deciding between linen or cotton, I feel your decision should be based on how you enjoy working with the material itself and not whether or not it will be around in three hundred years. If you are really concerned about the durability of cotton, then purchase a heavy grade cotton canvas and try stretching it yourself. Cotton canvas is available in rolls or pre-stretched, primed or unprimed.
CANVAS PADS
For those artists who may be on a tight budget but still want a descent quality surface to paint on, then canvas pads are a good choice. Canvas pads come in a variety of different sizes and are great for beginners who are just starting out. Canvas pads are great for practice or doing studies. Make certain you get a heavy weight canvas pad suitable to hold oil paint.
MASONITE OR HARDBOARD
Masonite is another popular oil painting support for artists. Masonite is actually a trademarked name for a synthetic hardboard made from wood particles. Hardboard is inexpensive and rigid. If you plan to use large hardboards, it is recommended that you reinforce them with a frame, as they can bow or bend. You can purchase plain hardboards or other varieties like canvas boards, which are hardboards covered with a ready to paint canvas material.
WOOD PANELS
The earliest known oil paintings were created on wood panels made of oak or poplar. The wood was covered with a uniform ground made of animal skin glue and chalk. The ground was then polished smooth to create a surface suitable for oil paint.
Pure hard wood panels are not the most popular ground for oil painters today. They are costly and rather difficult to lug around. A good alternative that oil painters use is plywood. There is good quality plywood available made of birch, poplar or mahogany that is suitable for oil paints if prepared correctly. Do not paint on soft woods such as pine because they contain more resins and do not resist moisture very well.
The above are the more popular oil painting supports in use today. There are others that artists use when they are feeling adventurous. Metals like copper and aluminum are sometimes used as a painting support. Obviously metals are quite heavy, so paintings on this type of support are usually on the smaller side. There are also other fabrics used in oil painting like jute, which is a strong natural fiber with a rough texture.
Your choice of oil painting support really depends on your style of painting. Experiment with the variety of painting supports available and have fun. You will eventually find one that works best for you.
An oil painting support is any surface that oil paint can be applied to. There are a variety of different surfaces that artists use to paint on. Everything from certain woods, canvas, and even metals can serve as supports for oil paint. This article will introduce you to those various supports and hopefully help you decide which support is best for your style of oil painting.
LINEN
Linen is made from the fibers of the flax plant. The plants are harvested and then left to soak in water until the outside of the plant rots away leaving the fibers underneath. The fibers are then processed into yarns or threads which are then woven into canvas. The fibers of the flax plant are long and quite strong and make for a very interesting and durable painting support. Paintings executed on this surface have withstood the test of time. It is for this reason that linen canvas is a favorite amongst professional oil painters. Unfortunately linen canvas is rather expensive and may not be the best option for beginners. If you are interested in learning more about linen canvas, check your local art store or go online and do a search. There are a variety of different linen canvases available, from rolled canvas to pre-stretched. It comes primed for acrylic and oils, or you can get it unprimed as well.
COTTON
Cotton canvas is the most popular support for beginner oil painters. It is a relatively strong material and much cheaper than linen. It has a very even and mechanical weave. There is a big debate going on in the art world over which is the better painting support, linen or canvas? What support will last longer? This is really a matter of personal opinion and taste. I know many artists, including myself, who use cotton canvas exclusively. Other artists swear by linen. If the surface is sized correctly, then your painting will be well protected from rot and will last a long time. So when deciding between linen or cotton, I feel your decision should be based on how you enjoy working with the material itself and not whether or not it will be around in three hundred years. If you are really concerned about the durability of cotton, then purchase a heavy grade cotton canvas and try stretching it yourself. Cotton canvas is available in rolls or pre-stretched, primed or unprimed.
CANVAS PADS
For those artists who may be on a tight budget but still want a descent quality surface to paint on, then canvas pads are a good choice. Canvas pads come in a variety of different sizes and are great for beginners who are just starting out. Canvas pads are great for practice or doing studies. Make certain you get a heavy weight canvas pad suitable to hold oil paint.
MASONITE OR HARDBOARD
Masonite is another popular oil painting support for artists. Masonite is actually a trademarked name for a synthetic hardboard made from wood particles. Hardboard is inexpensive and rigid. If you plan to use large hardboards, it is recommended that you reinforce them with a frame, as they can bow or bend. You can purchase plain hardboards or other varieties like canvas boards, which are hardboards covered with a ready to paint canvas material.
WOOD PANELS
The earliest known oil paintings were created on wood panels made of oak or poplar. The wood was covered with a uniform ground made of animal skin glue and chalk. The ground was then polished smooth to create a surface suitable for oil paint.
Pure hard wood panels are not the most popular ground for oil painters today. They are costly and rather difficult to lug around. A good alternative that oil painters use is plywood. There is good quality plywood available made of birch, poplar or mahogany that is suitable for oil paints if prepared correctly. Do not paint on soft woods such as pine because they contain more resins and do not resist moisture very well.
The above are the more popular oil painting supports in use today. There are others that artists use when they are feeling adventurous. Metals like copper and aluminum are sometimes used as a painting support. Obviously metals are quite heavy, so paintings on this type of support are usually on the smaller side. There are also other fabrics used in oil painting like jute, which is a strong natural fiber with a rough texture.
Your choice of oil painting support really depends on your style of painting. Experiment with the variety of painting supports available and have fun. You will eventually find one that works best for you.
Different Types of Oil Paintings Support
vijay asked:
An oil painting support is any kind of surface to which oil paint could be applied to. There are huge varieties of different surfaces, which artists use to paint on. Everything from certain woods, canvas, and as well metals could be used as a supports for oil painting. Following are the various types of oil painting supports that will help you decide the best for your style of oil painting.
Linen
Linen is generally created from the fibers of the flax plant. The fibers are then developed into yarns or threads that are then made into canvas. The fibers of the flax plant are huge and moderately strong and make for an extremely attractive and hard-wearing oil painting support. Paintings carried out on this surface have endured the test of time. It is for this reason that linen canvas is a preferred amongst expert oil painters. There are assortments of different linen canvases accessible in the market, from rolled canvas to pre-stretch. It comes prepared for acrylic and oils, or you could get it unprimed as well.
Cotton
Cotton canvas is the most admired support for starter oil painters. It is a comparatively strong material and much reasonable than linen. It has an extremely even and perfunctory weave. If you are actually worried about the sturdiness of cotton, then purchase a profound grade cotton canvas and try widening it yourself. Cotton canvas is obtainable in rolls or pre-stretched, primed or unprimed.
Canvas pads
For those artists who might be on a tight budget but yet desire a good quality surface for oil paintings, then canvas pads are a superior choice. Canvas pads come in a range of various sizes and are amazing for starters interested in oil painting reproduction. Canvas pads are grand for practice also or doing studies. Make sure you get a heavy weight canvas pad compatible to hold oil paint.
Wood panels
The first known oil paintings were shaped on wood panels made of oak or poplar. The wood was actually covered with a consistent ground made of animal skin paste and chalk. The ground was then elegant smooth to generate a surface appropriate for oil paint.
Your choice of oil painting support actually relies up on your style of painting. Experiment with the different types of oil painting supports accessible in the market and have fun. You would ultimately find one that works best for you.
An oil painting support is any kind of surface to which oil paint could be applied to. There are huge varieties of different surfaces, which artists use to paint on. Everything from certain woods, canvas, and as well metals could be used as a supports for oil painting. Following are the various types of oil painting supports that will help you decide the best for your style of oil painting.
Linen
Linen is generally created from the fibers of the flax plant. The fibers are then developed into yarns or threads that are then made into canvas. The fibers of the flax plant are huge and moderately strong and make for an extremely attractive and hard-wearing oil painting support. Paintings carried out on this surface have endured the test of time. It is for this reason that linen canvas is a preferred amongst expert oil painters. There are assortments of different linen canvases accessible in the market, from rolled canvas to pre-stretch. It comes prepared for acrylic and oils, or you could get it unprimed as well.
Cotton
Cotton canvas is the most admired support for starter oil painters. It is a comparatively strong material and much reasonable than linen. It has an extremely even and perfunctory weave. If you are actually worried about the sturdiness of cotton, then purchase a profound grade cotton canvas and try widening it yourself. Cotton canvas is obtainable in rolls or pre-stretched, primed or unprimed.
Canvas pads
For those artists who might be on a tight budget but yet desire a good quality surface for oil paintings, then canvas pads are a superior choice. Canvas pads come in a range of various sizes and are amazing for starters interested in oil painting reproduction. Canvas pads are grand for practice also or doing studies. Make sure you get a heavy weight canvas pad compatible to hold oil paint.
Wood panels
The first known oil paintings were shaped on wood panels made of oak or poplar. The wood was actually covered with a consistent ground made of animal skin paste and chalk. The ground was then elegant smooth to generate a surface appropriate for oil paint.
Your choice of oil painting support actually relies up on your style of painting. Experiment with the different types of oil painting supports accessible in the market and have fun. You would ultimately find one that works best for you.
