What's Your Favorite Support?
In my post Set for Success, I talked a little about using good materials. Most students give little thought to what they paint on. I can't count the number of times that a student will pull out a canvas & say, "I got this on sale at Michael's for $5". Yep, got it! At the starting point, we already have added an obstacle to the process. The type of support you paint on is as important as quality paints & brushes. Maybe more so. It's like preparing a wonderful, gourmet meal only serve it on paper plates. There are so many types of supports to choose. Cotton canvas, board or linen, stretched or mounted on board? It's personal preference whether you like a rough, slightly rough or smooth. I'm starting to sound kinda kinky! :) Okay, back on track.
Take some time & try different supports to see what you like. Maybe painting on board works or a rough textured canvas or linen floats your boat. But just using what's on sale isn't the way to create your best, possible work. Painting on inexpensive support and then wondering why your brushstrokes are showing up or your paint seems to be absorbed into the canvas? Putting obstacles in your way only makes for some frustrating painting time.
Here are some of my favorite supports:
Raymar Panels - Raymar has several types of canvas or linen that are mounted on MDF. They offer sample packages so that you can try different canvas & linen to see what suits you. They rock.
Gessobord Panels - Ampersand panels have a smooth surface & fun to paint on.
Stretched Linen - Odessa Russian Linen - great support to paint on.
