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TYPES OF CANVASES
As per the different types of paints that painters use to create varying effects in paintings, canvas are mainly divided in three major categories. Each canvas has distinguished coating and increasing the compatibility with specific types of paints.
Oil Canvas
Works best with oil paints. Zinc white bounded with linseed oil acts as the best primer. Keep in mind that the lesser the amount of binder (the linseed oil), the quicker will your canvas dry. After letting it air dry for 3-4 days, our last step to creating a perfect canvas painting is to sand it and apply yet another layer of titanium white. Titanium white being the best for high-gloss coatings, it also is the best agent for providing maximum whiteness and opacity.
Absorbent Canvas
Rabbit skin glue and chalk are the two layers that is generally applied as primer on absorbent canvas. Water based canvases like this easily dries up wherever water can evaporate. Dry air oven is the best option for that matter.
Universal Canvas
All is same as absorbent canvas except the fact that the two primers used on universal canvas belong to “titanium white” family.
DIFFERENT WAYS TO USE A CANVAS
- Stretched Canvas – This type of canvas is stretched on a wooden panel and usually, it is primed with a Gesso to increase its compatibility and hence, receptive to different paints. These come in two fabrics, which are linen and cotton. It is suitable for any kind of painting be it oil or acrylics
- Canvas Rolls – if you think that you must now take a step further in exploring how canvas works, you can go for the canvas rolls. They are cheaper than the stretched canvases as they are not pre-stretched and primed. Therefore, you will have to do this process on your own. That makes it handy when you want to create large paintings.
- Canvas Pads – these are spiral-bounded sheets of canvas paper. These are best suitable for watercolor painting. You can also use acrylics and oil paints. You can also have canvas sheets that you can stretch or mount and they might have texture.
- Hardwood Panels – also known as Masonite, this type of canvas is a beginner-friendly canvas that is not only easy to paint upon but also cheaper and durable.
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