How "I" Make Canvasboard panels for painting...

[LarrySeiler]

Since it comes up as a frequent question here, and other boards, I just wanted to bring to everyone's attention that I have a published editorial now demonstrating how I make them.

It is not the definitive answer for which some no doubt having deeper interests in classical traditional methods will not find answers...but, it is a springboard for others simply wanting to see one method it can be done. I would encourage those of the more traditional classical methods likewise put together a step by step tutorial and have it published here, which would no doubt be a great benefit.

Here's my article- http://www.wetcanvas.com/Articles/Larry_Seiler/110/

Larry Seiler

------------------
The "Artsmentor" http://www.artsmentor.org

"Painting is easy when you don't know how, but very difficult when you do!" Edgar Degas

[This message has been edited by lseiler (edited June 05, 2001).]

[djstar]

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!
I remember having a near nervous breakdown over this topic when I started doing oils.
My instincts said this was how to go, but sometimes it all gets too complex.
I like your articles, they are concise and useful.
To know is something. To be able to teach is a whole other gift.
Thanks (in lower case),
dj*

[LarrySeiler]

Thanks DJ...

Sometimes making something out to be all the more difficult is a way of making ourselves appear to know and have mastered something far more difficult than it really is.

Though...as my article explains, the traditional hide glue, "real gesso" method is tried, true, honorable, though demanding and involved. This is simply a simple way. Glad to have been helpful.

Larry

------------------
The "Artsmentor"
http://www.artsmentor.org

"Painting is easy when you don't know how, but very difficult when you do!" Edgar Degas

[Degas5]

Larry, here's a question for you-
I have a problem. I never painted on paper before, so decided to give it a try using some WN Oil Bars that I was experimenting with for the first time. I gessoed some bristol board with three coats acrylic gesso. After applying the first coat of gesso, I fixed it onto a piece of museum board with acrylic varnish. I weighted it all down with a wood paintbox to assure that it would adhere well and not warp. That worked out fine. I then applied two more coats of gesso to the bristol board and museum board figuring that I might want to paint outside of the bristol board, creating a decorative effect. However, when it dried it was bowed. I used it today and really liked how the oil bars felt on that surface, but I could use some ideas on how to straighten out this board. I was thinking that maybe I could wet the back of the museum board, which is not sealed, and tape it to a rigid board and hope it will dry flat. Do you think this will work? If not, any ideas, please, please. I like this painting, even warped.
Thanks-

[ldallen]

Hi Lar,

That's a great illustration!! I've been playing with all kinds of materials and trying out different things. I wish everyone was as concise as you are with your lessons. Thanks much.



------------------
Les

"It takes two people to do a painting - one to do the painting - the other to kill him before he ruins it!! (source unknown)

[LarrySeiler]

Its late...just got home. Let me think about the warp problem Degas5....bit tired now.

As for the lessons, (thanks Les...and others)- I'm planning sometime this late summer or early fall, (if all goes well), to have available a CD with 12-16 art lessons, that will have animation, text, illustrations, possibly mpegs...etc., that will operate on both Macs and PC's.

I've had requests for such and a number of galleries are asking the same from me. Should be a fun venture, and perhaps the beginning of a series of such CD's. I'll make them available on my "Artsmentor.Org" site and here on Wetcanvas.

Larry

------------------
The "Artsmentor"
http://www.artsmentor.org

"Painting is easy when you don't know how, but very difficult when you do!" Edgar Degas

[LarrySeiler]

Okay....Degas5, I get it now. Amazing what a little sleep will do.

I guess what I would be thinking about doing would be to glue and nail a piece of masonite down onto a frame of 1" x 2"'s. Without the nails, of course this would be a find support in and of itself, providing you add your coats of gesso.

Okay...back to the boards. Then...I would used medium to adhere the back of the board to the top of the masonite panel frame. Start with adhering part of the paper and lay books on top. Then about every 30 minutes or so...add a bit more medium and slide the books over...and over....and over, until the whole thing was securely flat. That baby ain't going to go nowhere then!

I'd rough the masonite up a bit first with sandpaper prior to adhering...and certainly dust it off good first.

For sometime in the future...I'd recommend trying the oil bars on several coats of gesso either directly to the masonite...or to a canvas adhered to masonite. You can control the tooth of the surface by how many coats you apply, and sanding in-between.
Larry

------------------
The "Artsmentor"
http://www.artsmentor.org

"Painting is easy when you don't know how, but very difficult when you do!" Edgar Degas

[Degas5]

Thanks Larry and Dru for your advice; I would have to omit applying any pressure upon the work at this point. The painting is built up quite thickly and I wouldn't put anything on it. Dru, I mounted the bristol on 4 ply museum board and it's quite thick. Even if I poured on the medium or gesso, I don't think it will correct the bow. Perhaps if it were 2 ply museum board. I think I will have to use the rigid surface that Larry suggested just to make sure. This was an experiment in both working with oilbars and paper. I enjoyed the experience very much. My painting developed very quickly, which resulted in clear value definition and alot of color control; very much like pastels. Ir was so easy to clean up outdoors. I only brought along two small brushes, which I could have done without if I wanted to.
Thanks again for your help. Besides saving the painting, learning is so much fun even if it is from mistakes http://www.wetcanvas.com/ubb/smile.gif

[Reye]

Larry and others
For what it is worth...I have used Larry's instructional here on wetcanvas and it works great. If you have not seen that take a look and it is very clear and easy....the best I have seen .
Jerry