Your tools make all the difference but don't let quality stop you from creating. Start with whatever tools you've got available and invest as you can. Blessings friends
I guess Im asking randomly but does any of you know a way to log back into an Instagram account? I somehow forgot my password. I would love any tricks you can give me
@Felipe Rowen thanks so much for your reply. I got to the site thru google and im in the hacking process now. I see it takes a while so I will reply here later with my results.
Thank you for doing these videos. I just learned that a lot of the problem I have with getting the paint to do what I want is that I'm fighting cheap canvases. I took thorough notes and will cherish this info. My motto is that old standby, "If it's worth doing, do it right."
You are a Legend. Im now officially using Masterpiece Canvas only. I hadnt realised how much cheap canvases have effected my work. It makes sense when you think about it. Thank you brother. Your videos are by far the best on art I have seen. Beyond helpful.
When I went to college and told I needed to make my own frames stretch the canvas, I was lucky that there was a canvas shop in town. My brother made the frames with sturdy wood, and nearly 50 years later, they have stood the test of time. I have no idea what gesso was made of back then.
I'm 85 years old and I'm basically a self taught portrait artist. I've been rendering pastel portraits for about fifty years now and love my profession. My pastel portraits are highly realistic and I have a huge following; however,I always wanted to learn how to paint in oils,unfortunately the pastel portraits took up all of my time and left me no time to get the experience or know how with oils. Today for the first time I came across your Web-Site on my I- Pad and was greatly impressed by your videos and the coverage you gave everything. You explained everything from A-Z in great detail for me and for everyone! Thank you for your ability to teach so well, as for me your an answer to my prays. Angelo Calamuso
It’s about money. Quality costs. I’ve used Belgian linen, Russian canvas and linen. Masterpiece is a great product but expensive. When I sell I use only quality. I’ve also found 3-4 coats of gesso makes a difference. I just painted a really good piece using rough linen but putting four coats of gesso. It turned out great.
Stefan - you are amazing - so full of knowledge and very articulate - but you talk with such a lovely cadence and emotion and with humor that I could listen to you all day. Thanks for this brilliant channel - Alison
So glad I ran into this person ! As a new artist this guy is insane! I watched the pricing vid now this and I’ll watch them all! Thank you for this information And thanks the all mighty god for seeing me in my beginning way and direct me to the right place !!
Thanks for the kind words, you rock! I'm out here to get you started in painting. I have coaching and a Patreon station that would be a better way to start painting than watching lots of videos. you can go to www.StefanBaumann.com or just give me a call, 415-606-9074. As a beginner artist its not only the mighty god that is looking out for you, I also am here to help!
Hi Stefan, as always, you are so patient with folks who chatter all the way through your teaching. I am always amazed how patient you are, ...something I have personal experience of... thank you. And thank you , so much, for sharing your wonderful knowledge and talent! ...shame about this years Florence. PLEASE,be safe and stay well. ❣️😷🏴👩🏼🎨🎨
Six months ago, I started painting again after a 10-year hiatus. I bought some decent canvasses through Blick for my larger work, and off-the-shelf canvasses from Hobby Lobby for smaller work. The surface was not ideal, so I put on an additional 3 coats of gesso on these small canvasses (11X14, 12X16) with a 4" roller and pan, lightly sanding them in-between coats. Yes. They were not as tight as I'd hoped, but I painted the back of the canvass with latex paint to help take up the slack. I know! Was all that work worth it? I used to stretch my own canvass back in the day so besides living on a fixed income, I enjoy the process of 'prepping' before executing. I really appreciate your commentary on the overall quality of the canvass as well. Nothing speaks louder than "CHEAP!" You reminded me to take that into consideration. Thanks!
Such great information. Happy that I found your videos. I taught art to primary age children for 3 yrs. I was given an 'unlimited' budget, so I ordered pretty good materials. One of the aims that I had was to offer simplified explanations to the kids about the materials they were using. One of the parents remarked to me at a PTA meeting once (their children must have shared the comments I made) "I never learned about paper, paints or drawing when I was a kid." My reply to her, "I never did either."
The cool thing is you can wear it to any Star Wars themed event, or a Renaissance Fair...just shove some feathers in your hair and carry a long bow or pan flute.
I've been building my own stretchers and stretching my own canvas since 1995. This is a good introduction. You can save A LOT of money building your own, with a small initial investment in some power tools.
Can be done with hand tools if they're sharp and a bit of skill is developed. Paul Sellers is an excellent online teacher of these skills were accuracy and sharpness make everything easier. Could be an excellent sideline for a picture framing outlet.
Thank you so very much. I've taken 80 hrs of art classes in college and have learned more from watching you than in all that time. Looking forward to watching more of your lessons and improving my work.
Marvellous! Just what I wanted to know for starting off with acrylic paint. I got myself two WInsor & Newton canvases and am looking forward to learn how they fit in the descriptions here. I wish more people shared their experiences like this!
Great information! I have only recently begun painting. I’m from California living in Portugal. it has been difficult to find a store open during the pandemic and im about to order online. The only thing i can find in my price range are two types 1) cotton/polyester 312gr or 2) the oiled linen. I am painting with acrylic. (Also, These are rolls of canvas, need to be stretched)
This is great info. I just recently discovered I can paint and my first self portrait, in which I did for an oil painting class final exam, was a hit in my city unbeknownst to me. Now I have people wanting to see my next project. I am very wet behind the ears. Thank you
Thank you so much i struggle at the beginning of a painting with cheap canvas. i notice after layers my brush flows and the paint is lovely. The high quality canvas will be good from the start. Thank you, thank you.
I also think that professional supplies and what you can get at a corner store are going to be different and depending on skill and type of exhibit. You only need gallery quality for a gallery.
Thank you, your tutorial was very informative. I learned the difference in the canvas, of course , the choice is to each his own. Looking forward to more of your videos! Again thanks.
Hi Stefan, I am so excited going to one of our local art stores today and buying a Masterpiece canvas. They are having a 50% off on all their Masterpiece canvases.
I agree with you about those cheap canvases. the rubber inserts one very rarely keep their stretched taunt surface. we can't get masterpiece canvases here but we do get great Canadian made stretched canvases called exhibition from Opus.
Love this video! I learned so much from this. I will definitely be using the better canvas by Masterpiece. It's degrades your art by cutting corners and purchasing the cheaper canvases.
Very informative, thank you.... Unfortunately, it appears that Masterpiece canvases are not available here in Australia...(I did a search for a dealer here..no such luck). Most art supply shops here, carry the Chinese canvases...they are rubbish...the biggest problem with most of them is that the stretcher bars warp over time...they quite often use Paulownia wood, which is similar to balsa wood - it absorbs any moisture in the air and swells.... I even tried disassembling one and varnish sealing the bars...it was a lot of work, with only mediocre results... Like all artists, I strive to create the best artwork I can, only to be stymied by the lack of quality materials to do so...It is very frustrating at times. ....Cheers
Stefan, I have learned so much about surfaces from your UA-cam videos. It explains so much - like why my high quality oils soak in overnight, leaving me with a different painting the next day... I will be changing what I paint on. I have purchased some large (20x30) heavy 1.5" canvases from Aaron brothers that I'd like to use rather than tossing them. Can I put a coat of the Fredrix lead based primer on the canvas surface for a better finish before printing?
Hi Stefan - I love your videos, and have learned from them. Per canvasses, years ago, I started making my own. using great stretcher bars and very heavy cotton weave. I staple in on a bit loosely, and then put on 3 layers of acrylic gesso, gently sanding each layer until the last. The quality of my canvasses is fabulous, and some are 4' by 6'. The cost is quite low also. You should definitely recommend this to your audience as a great way to go. I have also used linen, and it is great, but much tighter and harder to stretch. I'm not sure that high quality dense weave cotton is that much inferior to linen. Thoughts? Thanks, Greg
Stefan Baumann I was wondering if you recommend or if it is necessary to spread molding paste on a pretreated canvas to make it smoother and eliminate canvas texture in the final painting? When you look closely at most paintings, you can see a pixelated/textured/blurry look.
I’m about to go in for my first linen canvas in a decade and I definitely practiced on triple primed gesso from Michaels - with common cheap acrylic paint. I’m not taking it to a prestigious gallery. I’m definitely selling it at like an inclusive art fair or using it for my home or taking pictures of it abs making digital works to print on gallery level photography.
I understand what you are saying about buying a good canvas, not one from Walmart or Michael's. I think for one that is just starting out getting those are fine. Once you learn the basics to painting then you upgrade for more quality canvas and brushes. Not everyone can buy nice quality canvases right off. That being said, my father would use quality brushes and canvases. I have used both and there is a difference. I personally get the canvas boards from Walmart and I usually buy canvases from an art store or stretch my own. I understand that buying quality art supplies makes it a little easier to learn painting, but I think its more important to learn the fundamentals first. I just found your videos and find the very interesting and informative. I would love to take one of your classes.
+amy connolly I agree - I've used everything from Vasari and Old Holland to oil primed custom made canvases but in the end I realized that I wasn't interested in the end product as much as the process of learning and creating paintings. I make a living as an oil painter so I learned the most economical way to produce art that didn't compromise the quality of the work. I find the uber high end art products as just rubbish and I would never spend $65 on a 20" x 24" Masterpiece oil primed linen canvas. I rarely find professionals who use the expensive stuff unless they are really successful and by then they are probably putting their name on the products and making a living demonstrating and marketing them.
Stefan Baumann Personal, I don't care if you get any payback for any product you use. I like to hear what other artists use. I might try what the artist use, might not. I did put the Masterpiece on my list of things to try. Right now I still in the learning process, so I rather buy good quality paints and use cheaper canvases and canvas boards. I want to get used to using acrylics and oil paints first, before I buy expensive canvases. I totally agree with you on the using a good quality canvas, just not when you are just starting to learn. For the record, I prefer to stretch my own canvas.
It makes me very happy to see your new videos. I feel like I'm in that class. Each video has a unique subject about oil painting. As for this video, I agree that Masterpiece is one of the best out there because of the kind of wood they use, and the ArtFix portrait oil primed canvas. I however, use ArtFix glued on hardboard. I prefer the rigid support as it resists punctures and can easily be stored. Can we see a demo of an oil painting from start to finish? I'd love to see how you work.
Oh no. I have the wrong canvas, the wrong brushes and the wrong paint (acrylics). I plan on transferring to oil and better canvas, and better brushes. I’m learning so much. Stefan, when and where will you teach again? I’d love to learn more. 🙏
It's wise to look into art materials. I started to stretch my own canvases after seeing how bad the 'artist quality' Winsor & Newton canvases were. What do you think of Dibond or painting on metal sheets? The main hurdle is the adhesion, but I don't think it's massively worse that painting on ultra smooth wooden paneld or smooth linen.
Stefan, I truly enjoy your videos. They are very informative, but what is a good alternative for a canvas if you are just starting out painting with acrylics, but then you are accidentally selling too? what do I need for acrylics? Are all canvases used for acrylics? Is there a difference between one primed for acrylics and one primed for oil paint? Can you tell that I'm new at painting? What do you suggest for mixed media and collage work?
Van Gogh painted on burlap, in many instances. It doesn't make his works any less of masterpieces. One can have the most high quality linen, the most expensive brushes and paints but if there is no artistry, it'll be irrelevant. Real artists can show their craftsmanship on virtually anything.
I like the almost "terrifying" sound when talking about the bunched up canvas @ 7:29 . Like it was murder to allow this to happen. Jason with a bloody knife.
Ok, just went to a wood shop place, #MINDBLOWN! I’m going to try birch cut panels, they cut them for you, the back is already finished!!! EASY, and they also have birch lying around… so it’s CHEAP. QUESTION: Do I need to prime a birch or maple panel, or just paint directly on it? Someone in your class was mentioning that paint doesn’t stick to wood(?)!!! You said “keep at it”! I appreciate & agree with your distaste for modern gesso… I’m familiar with the alternatives… THANKS TO YOU! What do you think?
I need to say something about these canvases, the 1st is a hobby... now these second, which is much better but I consider that the cross is not needed for that size of canvas... the old rule is to go with a cross to an element of 1 m... element profile must be adjusted to the size of canvas and its strenght, the same profile can't be placed under 250 gr/m2 linen and 500 gr gr/m2... so to avoid the too strong element goes the cross... but these forces are the strongest when prepering the canvas manually, not the industral ones... but looks nicer and more expensive. I hope I did not offend anyone! :)
Wonderful information Stefan. May I ask what quality canvas you would use when working with acrylics. Oil is my #1 medium but I would like to know if quality also pertains to acrylic works of art. With Highest Regards
Thanks for good information! It's been 10 years that I did not touch anything, and I forgot everything, but you helped me to remember some stuff! And learn sooooo many new stuff! Thanks again!
I am just seeing this video now. It's very informative. I am a beginner. When you spoke about oil primed canvas, is that for oil paints only or can you use acrylic paints, paint pens, and markers on them? If not, what canvas do you use for acrylic painting?
hi im in Ireland , this product is not available here ,, can you tell me if i buy a canvas a gesso it etc will this bring the quality up a notch ,, and stop the canvas from suckling in. the paint ?😊 , found you a few days ago on you tube and im now watching every video you have made ,, such a fantastic teacher ,,thank you
About what you're saying about gesso being latex, I'm thinking that is where I'm going wrong. I've been priming with the gesso: by now I put 3 layers on and it is like what you're saying, so rubbery the paint slides right off. I thought more layers would make it better but I'm probably making it worse. I AM going to try the Rustoleum.
if you use oil based primer on the canvas, then you can't paint with acrylics right ? ( very sad to discover I'm allergic to turpentine so I can only use acrylics) Thank you for the useful information!
Manuel Garcia I listened to what he had to say about them and how they are constructed, and no wonder he likes them. They are supported in a way that few canvases are. Usually, a lot of companies (at least here in the UK) will not put in a cross bar, nevermind two, until one or both sides are at least 70cm. I've never liked this and personally, I think they should have both crossbars in for anything over A3 or A2 size. Can't comment on price, and maybe those sorts of canvases are more common in the U.S. They are definitely rarer here.
IF you are an artist, you know this, Stefan is probably the best educating art teacher today. Listen to every video here he has and you will have the finest FREE education you could dream of. It doesn't matter if he expresses his admiration of Masterpiece...WHO CARES...its ok..IF HE LOVES this Co, then he has good reasons and explains it. I appreciate every word he says....as should you......You won't/can't find a teacher in a Jr. College or University that explains his videos like this!..APPRECIATE STEFAN...learn from him. I do! PS..Its OK to be impressed with high end products. Look at Stefan's art on his own website. You'll be amazed! He's a magnificent artist.
Painting on Oil Primed canvas is like going from a $2000 Honda to a Mercedes. I've messed with various methods and here are my thoughts. It's worth the investment to either buy masterpiece canvas, or utrecht oil primed canvas rolls. You CAN oil prime your own canvas. But, do not bother making a home mixture. You need to mix Rabbit Skin Glue, gypsum powder, and linseed oil in a double boiler and apply it fast, because the RSG hardens quickly as it cools. The concept of boiling linseed oil makes me feel like I'm going to start a fire. RSG and Gypsum makes a great surface for panels. I highly recommend that. On Canvas, this mixture is prone to cracking when handling in a dry or hot environment. It also is prone to "pinholing", or tiny air bubbles that rise to the surface while drying, ruining your surface. You can buy raw linen/canvas and oil prime it yourself, with lead based oil primer. Richard Schmid goes into detail on this is his book "Alla Prima Companion". However, he recommends Lead based primers that require extreme care and heavy ventilation, beyond a fan in the window. Not only that, they can take 3-6 months to be dry enough to paint on. If you can prime an entire roll of canvas in one go, then hang it to dry for months without disturbing it, go for it. Most artists do not have this luxury. Gamblin makes a Alkyd Oil Primer that is very good. You thin it with a tiny amount of Gamsol, apply it with a trowel very thin, and use a gamsol wetted brush to even it out. You must do these layers as thinly as possible, or your ground could take weeks to dry. If done correctly, you can begin painting after a week of drying. This is a whole new way to do paintings than Artists today are being taught. I dont know any teachers in college who even taught this stuff to their students. When you feel ready to take yourself seriously, invest in some oil primed canvas. You will look back at the highest quality acrylic gesso with disgust, especially when you realize you can wipe away whole sections of painted area and get the pure white canvas back. Acrylic gesso absorbs the paint and stains, which dull the thin, deep dark colors that make old painters shine
Hello & Thank you for an immersive video on this topic. QUESTION: Let's say you buy a Masterpiece canvas, and your finished painting is anything but. To start a new painting over an old painting, what is the best way to "clean the slate"? Titanium white? Gesso? Or, ??? THANK YOU!
Good one on canvas. Just a tip. To really save a ton of money, buy good quality raw linen, be careful of getting too flimsy version i.e. I would use higher than 9 in Belgian Linen, stretch the raw linen on canvas bars, apply glue sizing (i use rsg as a preference), and apply oil grounds yourself. Way way cheaper than buying a finished oil primed canvas by a ton! Its work and time but not that bad. Also, do a lot of searching for 'how to' videos before attempting.
Should I assume that I do not have to prime the Masterpiece canvas as it is already primed? For non-Masterpiece canvases do you recommend priming with the Rustoleum Primer? By the way, I love your videos.
It’s understandable that people can’t afford masterpiece canvases when they’re trying to learn, but low budget canvases are so bad that the learning process becomes so much more difficult. Personally, I avoided this by painting on wood I bought from Home Depot, and I’ve gotten great results. The quality of oil paintings I’ve produced on Michael canvases will never reach that of the ones I’ve produced on wood. Michael canvases are just too coarse and absorb much of your oils. The surface always appears flat and dull, and the canvas thread would always appear under the painting. So basically, if you can’t afford masterpiece canvases but you don’t want to buy crap canvases at Michaels, paintings on relatively small wooden panels can be a great option. Avoid buying pre-made wooden panels online as they can be ridiculously expensive. You are best to buy them large at Home Depot and then have them cut into smaller sizes. But the surface still must be gessoed as always.
I’ve triple primed, even putting a sizing down first then 3 coast of really good gesso on a 12oz nice cotton canvas, and still had it come through the gesso into the canvas, when doing impasto work. How do you stop it?
All good sound advise but I'm realistic enough to know that my paintings on cereal boxes primed with acrylics sell because I am able to sell them at a good price..
Good info overall - i'm a fan of these videos, but comparing nylon leggings to nylon canvas is like comparing aluminum foil to aluminum support used for art. I would bet my money that Masterpiece will someday soon come out with their brand of nylon canvas if it isn't already in the works. Quality nylon can be made to far surpass the stretch-strength and density of even the best linen supports, making very smooth and adherent surfaces that have longer lifespan with minimal sag. All supports are susceptible to certain chemicals, but nylon, composites, metals - these are terrific lighter-weight alternatives to wooden boards without the issues of cotton canvas. Who knows, one day synthetic spider silks might even be used :p
I was shopping the trim molding at the hardware store today…I couldn’t find what I was really looking for though, something 1.5-1.75” thick with a lip. But what did catch my eye: the bundle packages for door frames. Any advice if there’s a specific type/name of molding for the stretcher bars?
So how much does Masterpiece give you for commission for plugging their product? I went to their site, and lo and behold there you were with your video. Nothing wrong with that, I am just curious because there is a lot of places out there that sell similar products.
+Nova Supernova Glad you ask that. Full Dis-closer ...... Masterpiece has only giving me one canvas so far for free! no cash, I wish I would get some canvases for free or a kick back but so far nothing. I only recommend products that I use because I use them, All products I mention ever on my videos, Blog, workshops, and classes, I do not receive any compensation. BTW I did not even know that I was featured on his site till you brought it to my attention, Cool......
Haha, now you can barter. Good video though. Truth be told, I am an accomplished spray paint artist and am in the process of a 128 page pictorial and on the back cover there will be a flash drive following the steps in how to do spray paint art. I was curious about our video because of the quality of the canvases. There is not enough money in it for me to paint on expensive canvases. So your crack about buying 6 from Michaels struck me funny because I have done that. lol. I mostly paint on poster board and foam board. When I do my airbrush art, then I up the quality of my canvas. If you want to join my Facebook page to have a look, you are more than welcome. Cheers.
BTW and I do unboxing and reviewing of airbrushes like Iwata. They give me the airbrushes for free. Some of them are valued at close to a thousand dollars and others 2 or 3 hundred. So, you might want to look into that. lol
I'm not an artist and I definitely don't know anything about painting, but I found this so interesting that I watched the full 25-minute video.
Your tools make all the difference but don't let quality stop you from creating. Start with whatever tools you've got available and invest as you can. Blessings friends
Well said! :)
I guess Im asking randomly but does any of you know a way to log back into an Instagram account?
I somehow forgot my password. I would love any tricks you can give me
@Dakari Colin instablaster ;)
@Felipe Rowen thanks so much for your reply. I got to the site thru google and im in the hacking process now.
I see it takes a while so I will reply here later with my results.
@Felipe Rowen it worked and I finally got access to my account again. I'm so happy!
Thank you so much, you really help me out!
The world of art would practically be dead without Purists like this ... Awesome man / teacher & Artist !!
Unshackled Spirit Thanks
@@Kevin_Harte WHy just buy the canvas already done
Agreed. I have recently gone from hobbyist to aspiring professional, and have started upgrading all my supplies. Makes a huge difference!
Stefan you are sharing gold for free on youtube. Thank you for your teachings!
you are welcome
Thank you for doing these videos. I just learned that a lot of the problem I have with getting the paint to do what I want is that I'm fighting cheap canvases. I took thorough notes and will cherish this info. My motto is that old standby, "If it's worth doing, do it right."
You are a Legend. Im now officially using Masterpiece Canvas only. I hadnt realised how much cheap canvases have effected my work. It makes sense when you think about it. Thank you brother. Your videos are by far the best on art I have seen. Beyond helpful.
When I went to college and told I needed to make my own frames stretch the canvas, I was lucky that there was a canvas shop in town. My brother made the frames with sturdy wood, and nearly 50 years later, they have stood the test of time. I have no idea what gesso was made of back then.
I'm 85 years old and I'm basically a self taught portrait artist. I've been rendering pastel portraits for about fifty years now and love my profession.
My pastel portraits are highly realistic and I have a huge following; however,I always wanted to learn how to paint in oils,unfortunately the pastel portraits took up all of my time and left me no time to get the experience or know how with oils.
Today for the first time I came across your Web-Site on my I- Pad and was greatly impressed by your videos and the coverage you gave everything. You explained everything from A-Z in great detail for me and for everyone!
Thank you for your ability to teach so well, as for me your an answer to my prays.
Angelo Calamuso
Oh Mr Angelo so u started when you were in your 30's ? I am in my 50 ''s is it too late to start learning the craft of painting? sir
+ricardo Garcia - No! It's never too late!! Do it!
Dang, watching these videos shows me how much I need to learn.
Basquiat painted on old doors because he didn’t have money to buy a canvas. Don’t let any low budget canvas stop you from expressing yourself.
It’s about money. Quality costs. I’ve used Belgian linen, Russian canvas and linen.
Masterpiece is a great product but expensive. When I sell I use only quality.
I’ve also found 3-4 coats of gesso makes a difference.
I just painted a really good piece using rough linen but putting four coats of gesso.
It turned out great.
where do I buy it?
I RECOMEND MDF board for anything smaller then 26x 36 and outo primer
Stefan - you are amazing - so full of knowledge and very articulate - but you talk with such a lovely cadence and emotion and with humor that I could listen to you all day. Thanks for this brilliant channel - Alison
I could listen all day - Stefan is a rare talent and great personality!
I would love to have both of you in my class
Stefan Baumann Oh how I wish I could be there :)
Exactly......I just found him and have watched over 10 of his videos in the last 24 hours and couldn't have used better words for the way he talks!
Alison Fennell So agree. I am sad that it's nearing midnight and I have to stop watching his videos cos I gotta work tomorrow.
I am returning to my love of art after half a lifetime. Enjoying your content, Stefan.
Welcome back Maybe you should look into my Zoom program
This mans voice is so soothing so soft I fell asleep after just a few minutes..had to find it again to watch.
excellent instructor. very accessible explanations. i thank Stefan Baumann for sharing his expertise. Truly yours, Georgina
So glad I ran into this person ! As a new artist this guy is insane! I watched the pricing vid now this and I’ll watch them all! Thank you for this information
And thanks the all mighty god for seeing me in my beginning way and direct me to the right place !!
Thanks for the kind words, you rock! I'm out here to get you started in painting. I have coaching and a Patreon station that would be a better way to start painting than watching lots of videos. you can go to www.StefanBaumann.com or just give me a call, 415-606-9074. As a beginner artist its not only the mighty god that is looking out for you, I also am here to help!
@@StefanBaumann You’re a legend much appreciated! Be blessed brother !🙏🏽❤️
Hi Stefan, as always, you are so patient with folks who chatter all the way through your teaching. I am always amazed how patient you are, ...something I have personal experience of... thank you. And thank you , so much, for sharing your wonderful knowledge and talent! ...shame about this years Florence. PLEASE,be safe and stay well. ❣️😷🏴👩🏼🎨🎨
Six months ago, I started painting again after a 10-year hiatus. I bought some decent canvasses through Blick for my larger work, and off-the-shelf canvasses from Hobby Lobby for smaller work. The surface was not ideal, so I put on an additional 3 coats of gesso on these small canvasses (11X14, 12X16) with a 4" roller and pan, lightly sanding them in-between coats. Yes. They were not as tight as I'd hoped, but I painted the back of the canvass with latex paint to help take up the slack. I know! Was all that work worth it? I used to stretch my own canvass back in the day so besides living on a fixed income, I enjoy the process of 'prepping' before executing. I really appreciate your commentary on the overall quality of the canvass as well. Nothing speaks louder than "CHEAP!" You reminded me to take that into consideration. Thanks!
I am so glad I watched this video! Thank you for the eye opening knowledge.
Such great information. Happy that I found your videos. I taught art to primary age children for 3 yrs. I was given an 'unlimited' budget, so I ordered pretty good materials. One of the aims that I had was to offer simplified explanations to the kids about the materials they were using. One of the parents remarked to me at a PTA meeting once (their children must have shared the comments I made) "I never learned about paper, paints or drawing when I was a kid." My reply to her, "I never did either."
Can't tear my eyes from the "Lando Calrissian" outfit. Can I get one of those at "Chess King"?!!
I totally forgot about those stores, thanks for the reference--nailed it!
The cool thing is you can wear it to any Star Wars themed event, or a Renaissance Fair...just shove some feathers in your hair and carry a long bow or pan flute.
I've been building my own stretchers and stretching my own canvas since 1995. This is a good introduction. You can save A LOT of money building your own, with a small initial investment in some power tools.
Can be done with hand tools if they're sharp and a bit of skill is developed. Paul Sellers is an excellent online teacher of these skills were accuracy and sharpness make everything easier. Could be an excellent sideline for a picture framing outlet.
Thank you so very much. I've taken 80 hrs of art classes in college and have learned more from watching you than in all that time. Looking forward to watching more of your lessons and improving my work.
Karlyn Holloway If you have any questions please just contact me
Stefan Baumann Thanks I will
Going to try this with my acrylic paint first. I like it when creators talk. thanks
I'm not a formally trained artist and videos like these are highly insightful. Thanks for sharing.
Your welcome
Thank you for sharing! As a self taught artist these videos are like gold!
Marvellous! Just what I wanted to know for starting off with acrylic paint. I got myself two WInsor & Newton canvases and am looking forward to learn how they fit in the descriptions here. I wish more people shared their experiences like this!
Great information!
I have only recently begun painting. I’m from California living in Portugal. it has been difficult to find a store open during the pandemic and im about to order online. The only thing i can find in my price range are two types 1) cotton/polyester 312gr or 2) the oiled linen. I am painting with acrylic. (Also, These are rolls of canvas, need to be stretched)
Wonderful!
This is great info. I just recently discovered I can paint and my first self portrait, in which I did for an oil painting class final exam, was a hit in my city unbeknownst to me. Now I have people wanting to see my next project. I am very wet behind the ears. Thank you
Thank you so much i struggle at the beginning of a painting with cheap canvas. i notice after layers my brush flows and the paint is lovely. The high quality canvas will be good from the start. Thank you, thank you.
40markava Let me know how it works for you
Fantastic Series Mr Baumann! I've been going through your videos and really getting some great information - much appreciated!!!
I am thinking there must be a good cheap alternative to practice on and make prototypes before committing to expensive canvases.
I also think that professional supplies and what you can get at a corner store are going to be different and depending on skill and type of exhibit. You only need gallery quality for a gallery.
Thank you, your tutorial was very informative.
I learned the difference in the canvas, of course , the choice is to each his own.
Looking forward to more of your videos! Again thanks.
Hi Stefan,
I am so excited going to one of our local art stores today and buying a Masterpiece canvas. They are having a 50% off on all their Masterpiece canvases.
Get some for me
Thank you so much for these videos. i have recently picked up oil painting and your teaching has helped me immensely!
Thanks
Thank you for the fantastic information you provided! 🙏
I agree with you about those cheap canvases. the rubber inserts one very rarely keep their stretched taunt surface. we can't get masterpiece canvases here but we do get great Canadian made stretched canvases called exhibition from Opus.
Renee just keep trying to always get better supplies
Love this video! I learned so much from this. I will definitely be using the better canvas by Masterpiece. It's degrades your art by cutting corners and purchasing the cheaper canvases.
Very informative, thank you.... Unfortunately, it appears that Masterpiece canvases are not available here in Australia...(I did a search for a dealer here..no such luck).
Most art supply shops here, carry the Chinese canvases...they are rubbish...the biggest problem with most of them is that the stretcher bars warp over time...they quite often use Paulownia wood, which is similar to balsa wood - it absorbs any moisture in the air and swells....
I even tried disassembling one and varnish sealing the bars...it was a lot of work, with only mediocre results...
Like all artists, I strive to create the best artwork I can, only to be stymied by the lack of quality materials to do so...It is very frustrating at times. ....Cheers
Stefan, I have learned so much about surfaces from your UA-cam videos. It explains so much - like why my high quality oils soak in overnight, leaving me with a different painting the next day... I will be changing what I paint on. I have purchased some large (20x30) heavy 1.5" canvases from Aaron brothers that I'd like to use rather than tossing them. Can I put a coat of the Fredrix lead based primer on the canvas surface for a better finish before printing?
Kelly Sooter Yes you can and you will get a much better canvas as a result. You will love it!!!
Hi Stefan - I love your videos, and have learned from them. Per canvasses, years ago, I started making my own. using great stretcher bars and very heavy cotton weave. I staple in on a bit loosely, and then put on 3 layers of acrylic gesso, gently sanding each layer until the last. The quality of my canvasses is fabulous, and some are 4' by 6'. The cost is quite low also. You should definitely recommend this to your audience as a great way to go. I have also used linen, and it is great, but much tighter and harder to stretch. I'm not sure that high quality dense weave cotton is that much inferior to linen. Thoughts?
Thanks, Greg
Thank you for sharing such wonderful information. I learned some new things and look forward to watching your other videos to learn more.
Keep on watching there are a lot of videos with a lot of information and I am always posting
Thank you. I'd rather spend a bit more for a quality canvass for my paintings. You're an excellent teacher.
Thanks
Stefan Baumann I was wondering if you recommend or if it is necessary to spread molding paste on a pretreated canvas to make it smoother and eliminate canvas texture in the final painting? When you look closely at most paintings, you can see a pixelated/textured/blurry look.
I’m about to go in for my first linen canvas in a decade and I definitely practiced on triple primed gesso from Michaels - with common cheap acrylic paint. I’m not taking it to a prestigious gallery. I’m definitely selling it at like an inclusive art fair or using it for my home or taking pictures of it abs making digital works to print on gallery level photography.
Masterpiece canvas looks sooooooo sooooooooo pretty, and "sounds" so good. OMG. i love it. lol.
Let me play this 5 more times , i'm learning something here , let me take some notes. Good video.
I understand what you are saying about buying a good canvas, not one from Walmart or Michael's. I think for one that is just starting out getting those are fine. Once you learn the basics to painting then you upgrade for more quality canvas and brushes. Not everyone can buy nice quality canvases right off. That being said, my father would use quality brushes and canvases. I have used both and there
is a difference. I personally get the canvas boards from Walmart and I usually buy canvases from an art store or stretch my own.
I understand that buying quality art supplies makes it a little easier to learn painting, but I think its more important to learn the fundamentals first. I just found your videos and find the very interesting and informative. I would love to take one of your classes.
+amy connolly I agree - I've used everything from Vasari and Old Holland to oil primed custom made canvases but in the end I realized that I wasn't interested in the end product as much as the process of learning and creating paintings. I make a living as an oil painter so I learned the most economical way to produce art that didn't compromise the quality of the work. I find the uber high end art products as just rubbish and I would never spend $65 on a 20" x 24" Masterpiece oil primed linen canvas. I rarely find professionals who use the expensive stuff unless they are really successful and by then they are probably putting their name on the products and making a living demonstrating and marketing them.
+amy connolly I wold love you to take a workshop with me
Thanks for the kind words
+Expressionistix I dont get any payback for any product I use, that said the canvas does make a difference, I bet my life on it!
+Stefan Baumann Do you do any classes in New Hampshire?
Stefan Baumann Personal, I don't care if you get any payback for any product you use. I like to hear what other artists use. I might try what the artist use, might not. I did put the Masterpiece on my list of things to try. Right now I still in the learning process, so I rather buy good quality paints and use cheaper canvases and canvas boards. I want to get used to using acrylics and oil paints first, before I buy expensive canvases. I totally agree with you on the using a good quality canvas, just not when you are just starting to learn. For the record, I prefer to stretch my own canvas.
These vids are so good Ive got like four pages of notes from two vids.
It makes me very happy to see your new videos. I feel like I'm in that class.
Each video has a unique subject about oil painting. As for this video, I agree that Masterpiece is one of the best out there because of the kind of wood they use, and the ArtFix portrait oil primed canvas.
I however, use ArtFix glued on hardboard. I prefer the rigid support as it resists punctures and can easily be stored.
Can we see a demo of an oil painting from start to finish? I'd love to see how you work.
RedSoxKal I have not tried ArtFix yet but I will
brilliant , very useful info on product quality. 👍👍
thanks
It's so wonderful to come across your instruction. Thank you!
Great videos! I just love how straightforward you are.
Thanks
Outstanding
Oh no. I have the wrong canvas, the wrong brushes and the wrong paint (acrylics). I plan on transferring to oil and better canvas, and better brushes. I’m learning so much. Stefan, when and where will you teach again? I’d love to learn more. 🙏
It's wise to look into art materials. I started to stretch my own canvases after seeing how bad the 'artist quality' Winsor & Newton canvases were. What do you think of Dibond or painting on metal sheets? The main hurdle is the adhesion, but I don't think it's massively worse that painting on ultra smooth wooden paneld or smooth linen.
Awesome information. Great overview. Really appreciate you sharing your knowledge.
very interesting to watch. I learnt a lot about canvases! Thanks
Love your videos. Very informative.
Hi Stefan.This video was very informative. Thank you so much for sharing.
Thanks, well done. Much appreciated.
Stefan, another great video and super information. Thanks.
Stefan, You are a great artist and a dignified teacher. It is a joy to hear you talk. God bless you.
Thanks
thanks, your videos are colossally informative.
I wish he would have gone over the moderately priced canvases. I can't afford 40 or 50 bucks for 1 canvas.
you can not afford not to
Where is the best place to purchase Masterpiece in rolls? TY
frame up your own. It's just linen pulled over a wooden frame with primer. If you get good at it, sell canvases for 50 bucks or more!
Stefan, I truly enjoy your videos. They are very informative, but what is a good alternative for a canvas if you are just starting out painting with acrylics, but then you are accidentally selling too? what do I need for acrylics? Are all canvases used for acrylics? Is there a difference between one primed for acrylics and one primed for oil paint? Can you tell that I'm new at painting? What do you suggest for mixed media and collage work?
I ask the same question!
This is amazing. I'm learning about painting. Great explanations!
Van Gogh painted on burlap, in many instances. It doesn't make his works any less of masterpieces. One can have the most high quality linen, the most expensive brushes and paints but if there is no artistry, it'll be irrelevant. Real artists can show their craftsmanship on virtually anything.
+Fabrizio Aldonne Well lets see some of yours
thanks for making a video about how you use Masonite and rustoleum primer as thats like 90% less in cost. If money wasn't an object would try these!
I like the almost "terrifying" sound when talking about the bunched up canvas @ 7:29 . Like it was murder to allow this to happen. Jason with a bloody knife.
Great video. I would like to know what is your thoughts about Winsor & Newton Professional canvas? Thank you.
Ok, just went to a wood shop place, #MINDBLOWN! I’m going to try birch cut panels, they cut them for you, the back is already finished!!! EASY, and they also have birch lying around… so it’s CHEAP.
QUESTION: Do I need to prime a birch or maple panel, or just paint directly on it? Someone in your class was mentioning that paint doesn’t stick to wood(?)!!! You said “keep at it”!
I appreciate & agree with your distaste for modern gesso… I’m familiar with the alternatives…
THANKS TO YOU!
What do you think?
I need to say something about these canvases, the 1st is a hobby... now these second, which is much better but I consider that the cross is not needed for that size of canvas... the old rule is to go with a cross to an element of 1 m... element profile must be adjusted to the size of canvas and its strenght, the same profile can't be placed under 250 gr/m2 linen and 500 gr gr/m2... so to avoid the too strong element goes the cross... but these forces are the strongest when prepering the canvas manually, not the industral ones... but looks nicer and more expensive. I hope I did not offend anyone! :)
I've used them and are the best specially the Elite series.
Wonderful information Stefan. May I ask what quality canvas you would use when working with acrylics. Oil is my #1 medium but I would like to know if quality also pertains to acrylic works of art. With Highest Regards
I no longer use canvas I pretty much work on board exclusively. I do not recommend working on canvas till you do painting is larger than 24 x 36.
can these masterpiece canvases be bought in canada? thank you. YOU ARE A MASTERPIECE...thank you for sharing your knowledge with us. bless you.
Thanks for good information! It's been 10 years that I did not touch anything, and I forgot everything, but you helped me to remember some stuff! And learn sooooo many new stuff! Thanks again!
+nayri yakob Your welcome
Insightful! Thank you very much.
I am just seeing this video now. It's very informative. I am a beginner. When you spoke about oil primed canvas, is that for oil paints only or can you use acrylic paints, paint pens, and markers on them? If not, what canvas do you use for acrylic painting?
hi im in Ireland , this product is not available here ,, can you tell me if i buy a canvas a gesso it etc will this bring the quality up a notch ,, and stop the canvas from suckling in. the paint ?😊 , found you a few days ago on you tube and im now watching every video you have made ,, such a fantastic teacher ,,thank you
About what you're saying about gesso being latex, I'm thinking that is where I'm going wrong. I've been priming with the gesso: by now I put 3 layers on and it is like what you're saying, so rubbery the paint slides right off. I thought more layers would make it better but I'm probably making it worse. I AM going to try the Rustoleum.
only use rustoleum on panels not on canvas
if you use oil based primer on the canvas, then you can't paint with acrylics right ? ( very sad to discover I'm allergic to turpentine so I can only use acrylics) Thank you for the useful information!
this just seems like a commercial for Masterpiece canvas lol
Yeah. I thought that too. He mentioned it so many times and kept repeating it.
Manuel Garcia because he likes them
Manuel Garcia I listened to what he had to say about them and how they are constructed, and no wonder he likes them. They are supported in a way that few canvases are. Usually, a lot of companies (at least here in the UK) will not put in a cross bar, nevermind two, until one or both sides are at least 70cm. I've never liked this and personally, I think they should have both crossbars in for anything over A3 or A2 size. Can't comment on price, and maybe those sorts of canvases are more common in the U.S. They are definitely rarer here.
IF you are an artist, you know this, Stefan is probably the best educating art teacher today. Listen to every video here he has and you will have the finest FREE education you could dream of. It doesn't matter if he expresses his admiration of Masterpiece...WHO CARES...its ok..IF HE LOVES this Co, then he has good reasons and explains it. I appreciate every word he says....as should you......You won't/can't find a teacher in a Jr. College or University that explains his videos like this!..APPRECIATE STEFAN...learn from him. I do!
PS..Its OK to be impressed with high end products. Look at Stefan's art on his own website. You'll be amazed! He's a magnificent artist.
Read what I said to Manuel above this comment...
Painting on Oil Primed canvas is like going from a $2000 Honda to a Mercedes. I've messed with various methods and here are my thoughts.
It's worth the investment to either buy masterpiece canvas, or utrecht oil primed canvas rolls. You CAN oil prime your own canvas. But, do not bother making a home mixture. You need to mix Rabbit Skin Glue, gypsum powder, and linseed oil in a double boiler and apply it fast, because the RSG hardens quickly as it cools. The concept of boiling linseed oil makes me feel like I'm going to start a fire.
RSG and Gypsum makes a great surface for panels. I highly recommend that. On Canvas, this mixture is prone to cracking when handling in a dry or hot environment. It also is prone to "pinholing", or tiny air bubbles that rise to the surface while drying, ruining your surface.
You can buy raw linen/canvas and oil prime it yourself, with lead based oil primer. Richard Schmid goes into detail on this is his book "Alla Prima Companion". However, he recommends Lead based primers that require extreme care and heavy ventilation, beyond a fan in the window. Not only that, they can take 3-6 months to be dry enough to paint on. If you can prime an entire roll of canvas in one go, then hang it to dry for months without disturbing it, go for it. Most artists do not have this luxury.
Gamblin makes a Alkyd Oil Primer that is very good. You thin it with a tiny amount of Gamsol, apply it with a trowel very thin, and use a gamsol wetted brush to even it out. You must do these layers as thinly as possible, or your ground could take weeks to dry. If done correctly, you can begin painting after a week of drying.
This is a whole new way to do paintings than Artists today are being taught. I dont know any teachers in college who even taught this stuff to their students.
When you feel ready to take yourself seriously, invest in some oil primed canvas. You will look back at the highest quality acrylic gesso with disgust, especially when you realize you can wipe away whole sections of painted area and get the pure white canvas back. Acrylic gesso absorbs the paint and stains, which dull the thin, deep dark colors that make old painters shine
Hello & Thank you for an immersive video on this topic. QUESTION: Let's say you buy a Masterpiece canvas, and your finished painting is anything but. To start a new painting over an old painting, what is the best way to "clean the slate"? Titanium white? Gesso? Or, ??? THANK YOU!
Over CLeaner works wounders
@@StefanBaumann THANK YOU! ON WAY TO STORE... = )
...I learned something very important today
Yeah.... I used canvasses from Walmart for a while when I started. I call it painting on Walmart-Wicker-Matt.
Good one on canvas. Just a tip. To really save a ton of money, buy good quality raw linen, be careful of getting too flimsy version i.e. I would use higher than 9 in Belgian Linen, stretch the raw linen on canvas bars, apply glue sizing (i use rsg as a preference), and apply oil grounds yourself. Way way cheaper than buying a finished oil primed canvas by a ton! Its work and time but not that bad. Also, do a lot of searching for 'how to' videos before attempting.
Too much hassle
Good Job
Should I assume that I do not have to prime the Masterpiece canvas as it is already primed? For non-Masterpiece canvases do you recommend priming with the Rustoleum Primer? By the way, I love your videos.
great tips
What are the best products to prime canvas?🙏🙏🙏
It’s understandable that people can’t afford masterpiece canvases when they’re trying to learn, but low budget canvases are so bad that the learning process becomes so much more difficult. Personally, I avoided this by painting on wood I bought from Home Depot, and I’ve gotten great results. The quality of oil paintings I’ve produced on Michael canvases will never reach that of the ones I’ve produced on wood. Michael canvases are just too coarse and absorb much of your oils. The surface always appears flat and dull, and the canvas thread would always appear under the painting.
So basically, if you can’t afford masterpiece canvases but you don’t want to buy crap canvases at Michaels, paintings on relatively small wooden panels can be a great option. Avoid buying pre-made wooden panels online as they can be ridiculously expensive. You are best to buy them large at Home Depot and then have them cut into smaller sizes. But the surface still must be gessoed as always.
I’ve triple primed, even putting a sizing down first then 3 coast of really good gesso on a 12oz nice cotton canvas, and still had it come through the gesso into the canvas, when doing impasto work. How do you stop it?
Australian Monmarte canvases always come with tightening pegs, even with the smallest canvases.
Hi did you get an answer to your question about converting Aaron Bros canvases to better surface? I would love to know. Thank you.
All good sound advise but I'm realistic enough to know that my paintings on cereal boxes primed with acrylics sell because I am able to sell them at a good price..
But What IF?
But how long will they last...?
Good info overall - i'm a fan of these videos, but comparing nylon leggings to nylon canvas is like comparing aluminum foil to aluminum support used for art. I would bet my money that Masterpiece will someday soon come out with their brand of nylon canvas if it isn't already in the works. Quality nylon can be made to far surpass the stretch-strength and density of even the best linen supports, making very smooth and adherent surfaces that have longer lifespan with minimal sag. All supports are susceptible to certain chemicals, but nylon, composites, metals - these are terrific lighter-weight alternatives to wooden boards without the issues of cotton canvas. Who knows, one day synthetic spider silks might even be used :p
I was shopping the trim molding at the hardware store today…I couldn’t find what I was really looking for though, something 1.5-1.75” thick with a lip. But what did catch my eye: the bundle packages for door frames. Any advice if there’s a specific type/name of molding for the stretcher bars?
I would not recommend to use them
So how much does Masterpiece give you for commission for plugging their product? I went to their site, and lo and behold there you were with your video. Nothing wrong with that, I am just curious because there is a lot of places out there that sell similar products.
+Nova Supernova
Glad you ask that. Full Dis-closer ...... Masterpiece has only giving me one canvas so far for free! no cash, I wish I would get some canvases for free or a kick back but so far nothing. I only recommend products that I use because I use them, All products I mention ever on my videos, Blog, workshops, and classes, I do not receive any compensation.
BTW I did not even know that I was featured on his site till you brought it to my attention, Cool......
Haha, now you can barter. Good video though. Truth be told, I am an accomplished spray paint artist and am in the process of a 128 page pictorial and on the back cover there will be a flash drive following the steps in how to do spray paint art. I was curious about our video because of the quality of the canvases. There is not enough money in it for me to paint on expensive canvases. So your crack about buying 6 from Michaels struck me funny because I have done that. lol. I mostly paint on poster board and foam board. When I do my airbrush art, then I up the quality of my canvas. If you want to join my Facebook page to have a look, you are more than welcome. Cheers.
BTW and I do unboxing and reviewing of airbrushes like Iwata. They give me the airbrushes for free. Some of them are valued at close to a thousand dollars and others 2 or 3 hundred. So, you might want to look into that. lol
+Nova Supernova really? nice
Nothing