Stepping up

[J.Dillon]

Is there any problem in moving up to a larger size canvas. Currently I only do 12X18 inches and am thinking of trying a 18X24 inches or greater. It seems overwhelming but the possibility of more detail is tempting but working in acrylics and the quick drying time may be more then I can handle .... so maybe go a few inches at a time might be better. What are your experiences and any tips would be appreciated. Thanks JD

[paintfool]

J.Dillon, archetects advice is good. I moved up a little at a time & there's nothing to be intimidated by have fun! Cheryl

[bruin70]

jd,,,,the problem will be scale. not just more area to cover with paint or detail. but using a #4 brush on a 12x12 is different than using it on a 20x24. there is also canvas scale. a particular weave on a 12x12 will seem much finer in a larger format. so now that all your materials are finer on a larger format, there may be a tendency to overwork or be picky. two suggestions....either use larger tools....or keep your elements the same size, but just add more negative space. i don't think you should have a problem, since more detail may be to your advantage.....milt

[arcitect]

What exactly does a #4 brush look like?

[bruin70]

#4 is about 3/8" wide

[LarrySeiler]

You perhaps have an idea of where the viewer ought to stand when viewing your smaller works.

The only thing that "has" to change here is to perhaps think that the viewer now ought to stand a bit further back to accomodate the larger piece.

If that were to be the case...instead of painting with a 1/4" flat that you used on the smaller canvas for a particular function...do it with a 1" brush.

Now..the problem is..you will be accustomed to seeing it smaller, so...you will need either to take more frequent breaks and take 2-3 paces back to look at it, OR..squint your eyes frequently while painting up close which creats some of the effect that backing up does.

So...you don't need to paint with the small itty bitty strokes on the larger support that you did on the smaller.

You buy a bigger motorcycle. You need not continue to go slow up a steep hill because you were used to that speed with the smaller cycle. You can give 'er gas now and climb man...climb!!!

You can play by different rules. Plan on the finished effects of the larger piece to appear the same to the viewer at 6-10 feet away, that they would appear if they looked at your smaller piece from 2 feet away. Hope that makes sense. Up close to YOUR eyes the brushstrokes will appear more loose, but backing up...they will merge together to accomplish the same effects.

Larry

Larry

------------------
"Art attacks can skill!"

[arcitect]

Originally posted by bruin70:
#4 is about 3/8" wide

I did not know they made them that small! l.o.l.

My favorite brush is a #20 flat which has become a bright from constant use.

Speaking of which, I need to buck up for some new brushes.

[Painter]

I've found stepping out to a much larger canvas,(or whatever)shakes loose some of the more useless cobwebs in the mind. Back and forth between small and large in a slow rythmn keeps one seeking, and alive.

------------------
God Blesses!
Ched

[Mae]

I am in a similar situation now..and it's compelled me to paint slightly differently; using larger brushstrokes..but I have found it a little easier as I don't have to struggle so much with minute details..those microscopic brushstrokes can be laborious..an adjustment for sure..but easier on the eyes! ...Enjoy!......Mae

[bobsart]

Hey JD,

Since like me, you have a thing for sailing ships, I would think a larger canvas would make doing rigging a heck of a lot easier. I think the smallest ship picture I did was an 18 X 24. Doing airliners on a small canvas is hard also if you are trying to be accurate with all those little windows. I would say, in my experience, the size really depends on what degree of detail I am trying to obtain.....bob

[tammy]

Sometimes I feel like I need a whole wall to
paint on. I've been working on my 3rd larger
piece and the more I work on it the canvas just doesn't seem big enough, but this
one is in Oil. My project? The place where I
work moved out of an early 1900's building
2 years ago, into a newly remodeled building and I am painting both buildings on the same canvas as in a posterlike setting. It's called "Our past and our Present". I'm having such fun. If it turns out, I'm giving
it to my boss.
Everything I've done in the past was smaller, so give it a try on the larger. You
might surprise yourself and need a wall like
I did.

[This message has been edited by tammy (edited May 03, 2000).]