Topic: Surfaces...what is your favorite support to paint on...canvas? panel? (is it commercial or do you make them)? How do you prepare the surface?
(Photos of some surfaces brought in at the bottom of this page).
Yves: I just wanted to show you this painting that is in my Gallery. I thought you would be interested in it, because it is what is called a field study painted by American Impressionist Theodore Robinson. Theodore Robinson was a friend and contemporary of Claude Monet. He was an American who painted often in Giverny. (Thanks, Yves)!
Celeste: Both Raphael and I have made some panels from Aimee Erickson's instructions on youTube. The materials you need are hardboard panels, Muslin, Tight Bond glue, gesso, old Holland raw umber, fast matte white, a brayer and a utility knife. It is a little time-intensive, but I like the resulting panels. I did have trouble getting a consistent tone on the panels. I imagine it takes practice to get the same tone on each panel! I am showing a painting I did on one of these panels and also, just for fun, I am showing my least favorite commercial panel (Richeson pre-primed toned with gray). The surface is too slippery for me). Aimee Erickson panels: https://youtu.be/DKfXYa1YZjs
Joanne: In actuality, you can paint on practically anything. In the past I have favored Centurian sheets. They are quick when you don't have anything else prepared. When I use a wood panel I like to prepare it with Gac 100 (it seals the wood). Then I will apply an imprimatur (a transparent tone painted on an oil ground. I often work on masonite. I sometimes use Neutral Gray 6 (by Golden). I apply it intentionally thin over a gessoed surfaced. I learned this directly from Nelson Shanks (Studio Incamminati). Perhaps my favorite surface is a ground of Lead white with a tone of raw umber, white and black. I am showing samples of all sorts of surfaces...this is house paint on matt board. This is a very cheap paper panel (but I gessoed it to make it acceptable). I often use a credit card as a tool to put down the gesso onto a surface. Finally, especially for practice, I also recommend Canson plein air Canva boards. They don't require any additional preparation and they are lightweight. Gamblin's website provides surface preparation videos, including this one on oil ground. You can get samples of Claesson's from Jerry's Artarama
Tom K: I paint on anything as long as it will hold still (no laughter---though this was followed by his telling us that he was wearing his cat on his head, for which there *was* laughter)
Annie: When I studied at the San Francisco Art Institute we actually got to paint directly onto a person! Then, following that, we painted paintings of the person we painted! I am showing photos of an unusual surface I painted on...this is a bookcase I painted for a child's room. I used rubber stamps to apply letters from the alphabet.
Dianna: I made the switch from oil to acrylic. Acrylic takes some getting used to (it is not as "forgiving" as oil)...but I absolutely love it! I especially like painting onto a black surface. You can establish the values clearly painting onto black. My favorite surface is a birch panel. I paint the panel with black gesso and I add a medium on top of that. I like the way this surface accepts the paint. I have been thinking about "walls" lately. In 2002 I took a trip to China. When I visited the Great Wall I was struck by how the people there could have one time or another been described as complete enemies...but, instead, here we were all together climbing the wall together! I am also showing a 2nd painting I did about Summer (because I am longing for warmer weather).
Raphael: I like the Aimee Erickson panels also. I did learn, however, that you really have to push the paint into that panel. It is best to use a bristle brush, instead of a synthetic one! I am showing a painting I did on one of the panels I made. When you make these panels you have to be vigilant about getting the paint to the edges and corners.
Tracie: I have been using smooth Ampersand Gessoboards and I have been told that that is my "problem" (Laughter)! I am transitioning to other surfaces. I am introducing my friend, Lu.
Lu (new! Welcome, Applause!): I am a teacher (I teach young people). I was in the recent Max Ginsberg workshop.
Greg: I also brought someone new. This is Allan (applause)! I painted this in a remote place. A rock climber scaled the rocks and came up right where I was with my plein air gear...was he ever surprised (Laughter)! I wanted to show you my "frame". I make these with inexpensive materials and this Japanese Razor Saw! I glue these two types of wood together to create the "floater frame" type look. (Editor's note: Greg said that he will do a demonstration of his frame for us in the future and we can handle it as a "field trip" (to be put on the calendar).
(Greg added: Bookbinding canvas is a viable alternative to commercial canvas)
Laura: I sometimes buy surfaces from Goodwill and gesso them!
Yong: I just use any surface that I get my hands on. It really doesn't mean much to me what I use. When it comes to a surface for oils, I am not in the least bit picky. For watercolor I use Arches. I use 140 lb. The three choices are Hot press, Cold press and Rough. I sometimes use Rice paper. I brought in an oil painting that I did during the paint out in Umqua.
Chris: I wish I were the type of person who wanted to make their own panels and to prepare them just so...but in fact I am not and I just want someone to give them to me! (Laughter)! I like white birch panels from Dick Blick. They do soak up the gesso. I find it so boring to gesso them! I like surfaces that I can get for cheap at "Scrap". Sometimes I find something there that I really like. I have even purchased old canvases that were painted on first by someone else! I got to see Susan Kuznitsky's pastel demo. I tried her method of painting and underpainting and then applying pastel on top of it. This is the painting I did. I am also showing a sketchbook that I am putting together for my cousin. We went to Europe together and I am going to give her the sketchbook when I have it complete.
Paula: I have made the Aimee Erickson panels. For pastel I like sanded paper. The one I liked best is no longer in production. I am showing this plein air painting I did at the Nursery paint out last year.
Wendy: I have been under the weather..but I am better now. I have used Centurian pads. I like birch panels. I took a workshop with Ned Mueller and he recommended "Source Tek" panels. I use sanded paper for pastels.
Jim: I like inexpensive surfaces. I paint over them. I really like Ray Mar panels...but they do seem spendy! I brought it two that I have. My grandchild "commissioned" this sunflower painting.
Tedd: I brought in an older palette knife painting that I did on MDF board. It has finally dried! (Laughter)!
Tim: I like the Ampersand brand boards. I like experimenting onto other surfaces. I painted this (small painting) onto Aluminum Composite.
Marie: I like 400 grit sanded paper for pastels. I painted this and call it "First Day of Kindergarten"
Geri: I have noticed that I have painted too close to the edges --and that causes problems with framing. I have ordered floater frames from Jerry's Artorama (that allows the entire paper/panel to be seen).
Susan: Back in school in Chicago we learned to purchase canvas in bulk. We'd buy Frederix triple primed linen! (I still get canvas in rolls). I used to go to Woodcrafters here in Portland and I would get standard sizes MDF panels cut...then I would mount canvas on the boards. I sometimes mount canvas onto gatorboard. For toning I like Winsor Newton raw umber, black and white.
Allan (New, welcome Applause): I am new to Oregon. I am an Alum of Kansas City Art Institute. I paint with palette knife. I just buy supports at Mr. Art or Hobby Lobby...anywhere really. I sometimes gesso one side of a raw linen but then paint on the other side...it provides a different result.
Bhavani: I used to use Centurian...but I changed the way I paint and I stopped using it. (I was not getting the desired result on that surface). Instead I started guessing my own panels. I get MDF board from Hone Depot and they cut it for me. I put down enough gesso that it feels "velvety" to the touch. For practice I like the Canva boards from Canson.
Please send rolling cart suggestions feedback to Mike Porter: Mike Porter tmikeporter@gmail.com
Announcements:
Paula Hansen, Molly Reeves, Annie Salsness and others Celebration of Creativity (Feb 28- March 3) Beaverton: https://celebrationofcreativity.com
Susan Kuznitsky at Village Gallery First Friday March 1
Joanne Radmilovich Kollman First Tuesday at Weicherts Realty in Hillsboro March 5
Joanne Radmilovich Kollman Portraiture in Oil workshop (6 weeks beginning Feb 23 at Elizabeth Jones Gallery)
https://www.elisabethjones.art/portraiture-in-oil.html
Fine Art Friday Figure Session... Friday Feb 22 OSA Model Jamie
20 drop in fee
1:15-4:15 pm
Joanne Radmilovich Kollman joradarts@gmail.com
Fresh Flower Saturday at OSA, Feb 16 1-4pm uninstructed, 7.50 Feb 23
Joanne Radmilovich Kollman joradarts@gmail.com
Bhavani Krishnan one day color workshop March 2 bhavani.krishnan@gmail.com (one spot available)
New model sessions facilitated by Bhavani Krishnan Wednesdays at Colours in Hillsboro (2:30- 5:30) email Bhavani for information: bhavani.krishnan@gmail.com
Upcoming workshop (March) still life Eric Jacobsen: https://jacobsenfineart.com/workshop/5402/painting-expressive-still-life
OSA classes: Susan Kuznitsky and others Wednesdays and Saturdays https://public.osartists.org/public/classes
Hiatus Drawing club meets after the Alla Prima Meeting at French Quarter
https://www.facebook.com/groups/333152383542909/
Next Meeting Thursday March 7 Something you can't do without in your plein air gear and/or in the studio...what is it? Bring it to show us (and tell us why you like it so well). ....Let's discuss!
I have found a panel that I like to paint on with oils or acrylics. It is 'Pintura" available through Jerry's Artarama. It has a smoother canvas surface. They are a little less expensive than RayMar or Sourcetek. They are archival and sturdy.
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