Is this on a pre-gessoed canvas? I will come back and see what they tell you…interesting

You might try thinning your acrylic gesso a bit more for those first couple of layers. I find it much easier to work the thinned gesso into the texture of the canvas with a stiff brush (like a natural hog bristle brush). I also switch brushing direction with each new layer of gesso. If I put the first layer on with horizontal strokes, I put the next one on with vertical strokes, etc. That also helps to fill in all the annoying little texture “pits” and ensures complete coverage. Sanding the dried gessoed surfaces should also help create an even painting surface.

Other than finding them ugly and annoying (personally), I don’t know that any of those little holes in the canvas will be a problem for an acrylic painting over the long term. It could be for an oil painting if some of the oil paint managed to get worked through the hole and it was making contact with the raw canvas fibers on the back. That could cause the fiber to rot.

I wonder what thoughts others might have on this subject?

Beverly

Hi Nazz,
i have not experienced your problem…sounds like you need to change the make of canvas you are using…i’ve had the odd little bump on the canvas though and i search for them before starting and turn the canvas where they are least obtrusive……sorry i cant be of more help.

i try to cover the pinholes in my canvas, but there are always a few reappearing after the gesso dries.
do they cause problems, from a conservation point of view?

When painting in acrylics, almost certainly no.

You might try thinning your acrylic gesso a bit more for those first couple of layers. I find it much easier to work the thinned gesso into the texture of the canvas with a stiff brush (like a natural hog bristle brush).

I also switch brushing direction with each new layer of gesso.

Also a good idea, helps prevent buildup of linear texture with successive layers if nothing else.

…if some of the oil paint managed to get worked through the hole and it was making contact with the raw canvas fibers on the back. That could cause the fiber to rot.

Einion

I have sometimes had this happen too, NAZZ. I find it’s only noticeable if I hold the painting with light hitting the painting from behind so it’s not really a problem once it’s on the wall. I also add a couple of layers of gesso over the pre-primed canvasses and the pinholes are hard to spot until you actually start laying on some colour. When I see the pinholes during the painting process, I will make my paint more diluted so that it fills in the hole. Some do still escape my attention though. I think the better quality cotton duck is the way to go as I haven’t noticed the problem so much with it.

NAZZ, another thing you might try is giving the back side of your canvas a couple coats of acrylic gesso before you begin your painting. If you buy your gesso in large containers when it’s on sale, it’s not too much of an extra expense. It’s certainly cheap when compared to the cost of the canvas. This has an added benefit of helping to tighten the canvas to make it “drum tight” for your painting surface. I’ve done this with clear acrylic medium to help tighten and seal the back of the canvas fibers (I forget where I read that tip). But using the gesso on the back of the canvas will help fill in those pinholes before you ever spot them.

Canvas quality varies quite a bit. Naturally the more economical ones will most likely not be woven as tightly as the higher grade canvas. Then there is the cotton vs linen choice, as well. For most of us on a budget, we have to balance cost and quality and make the best choice we can afford. If the weave of the fibers is not very tight, there will be air spaces in between and, hence, those annoying pinholes. I know the backs of stretched canvas can be lined, but I don’t know the particulars of how it is done and I doubt that is something that most of us would want to do.

I know I would hate to put a lot of time and love into a painting only to hold it up to admire the finished product and see some little spots of light shining through! The extra coats of gesso are easy and cheap. It should plug up those pesky little holes just fine.

Beverly