Supports
A support is anything on which you create your work of
art. Your choice may depend on textural preference, cost,
or convenience. The advantage of canvas and board is that
they can be displayed without framing. Paper uses less
storage space, but must ultimately be displayed under
glass, adding to the cost.
PAPER
For smaller pieces, paper is the most versatile and can
be very economical. Archival watercolor paper comes in
various weights and surfaces. 140 lb. (64 kg) cold press
is good choice to work with, as it is strong enough to take
both heavy textures and some punishment- sanding, for
instance. It has enough "tooth" (texture) to make for inter-
esting dry-brush effects and random mottling when thin
glazes of paint are applied. Another advantage of paper
of this weight is that it can easily be torn for cropping to a
smaller size. If you tear it roughly, you can simulate the ap-
pearance of a deckle edge. It is also relatively easy to affix
to a backing mat before framing. This weight of paper will
sometimes buckle, depending on how much liquid soaks
into the fibers during gluing and painting. A simple remedy
is to place your dry painting facedown on a hard surface,
then spray the back of the paper with water. Place a towel
over it to absorb the moisture, and then a heavy object on
top to keep it flat. Leave it overnight. The next day your
painting should be perfectly flat and ready to mat.
A 300 lb. (136 kg) paper is very thick, durable, and will
not buckle, but it is harder to mat, needing very strong
hinges. Usually 90 lb. (41 kg) paper is too lightweight for
textured work.
Some handmade papers from India are 200 lb. (91 kg) and
very tough. They often come in nonstandard sizes and are
described as "natural white," meaning they have not been
bleached and have a warm tone. Some common names for
Indian papers are Nujabi, Punjabi, and Indian Village.
LEFT: Having a dedicated, well-lighted
space to make art is a luxury. I
started in a small back bedroom; took
over the end of the garage; took over
the entire garage; and eventually,
moved to a house with a large, airy
room above the garage.
Watercolor paper in various weights and surfaces, and
rice papersHot press paper is slick and makes a nice smooth surface
for initial drawing or writing.
You can also paint on handmade Asian papers such as
washi and yuzen. Masa, which is machine made, is inex-
pensive, and very versatile. Many of these papers have no
sizing, allowing the paint to soak through to the back. In
this case, a couple of preliminary coats of matte medium
will provide the necessary base coat.CANVAS
Painting on canvas has the advantage that the work
doesn't have to be matted. If the canvas has deep sides
(1.5" to 3" [3.8 to 7.6 cmll, these can also be painted,
making framing unnecessary. If you intend to make larger
artwork, canvas is probably your best choice. When pur-
chasing a canvas, check that it is not warped. You can do
this by placing the longest side against the end of a shelf in
the store. Assuming the shelf is perpendicular to the floor,
the corner of your canvas should fit snugly into the space.
Then hold your canvas with the front flat against the broad
end of a shelf. If it won't lie flat, it's warped. These quick
tests can save you from wasting money. Be aware that a
canvas on narrow stretcher bars will easily warp over time.
Canvas board, which is canvas mounted directly to card-
board, is even more vulnerable to changes in atmosphere.
When collaging onto canvas, you will need to use glue
on both surfaces: the back of the material you are gluing
down and the surface of the canvas itself.11