There are few things more exciting than facing the boundless possibilities of a blank canvas, especially one with an exquisite surface upon which to paint. A superb working surface can make all the difference and act as a helping hand through the painting process, providing an ease of execution and a fluidity that can make it feel as though the painting were just painting itself! A great surface can enhance the flow of paint, increase the vibrancy of the oil colors, as well as add interest to the surface quality of a piece. It is well worth investing the extra time to customize your working surface.
When we last explored the topic of priming canvas, the focus was toward re-coating pre-cut pieces of oil, or lead primed canvas with another custom layer of lead ground. This lesson is an extension to, Volume 12: “Materials and Tools, Part A” and centers on priming entire rolls of similar canvas. It will demonstrate the ease at which large canvases can be re-coated within the confines of limited space, and show how it can be stored in order for it to properly dry and cure. In addition, it will further explain the benefits of working on a custom designed surface, and provide high-resolution examples of surface textures and paintings to give you further ideas and a better feel for what is possible. The benefits and safety concerns of working with lead are also revisited and summarized.
