8 Invaluable Tips for Painting on Canvas

1. Set Up Your Canvas and Supplies

How are you going to paint — physically? Do you prefer an easel, where the canvas is upright or at a slight angle? Or do you work better with the canvas on a flat surface, right next to your palette? Try them both out, and do what feels best. Set up your entire workspace before you start painting, too: Having your paintbrushes, palette knives, water, and any other supplies you'll need at the ready will make your painting time stress-free and fun.

2. Choose Appropriate Brushes

Nope, one brush doesn’t fit all. With canvas, you’ll need to use acrylic or oil-paint brushes that have long handles and stiff bristles. These will hold up better as you’re painting than, say, delicate watercolor brushes.

3. Prep Your Canvas

Starting with a pre-stretched canvas, meaning it’s already pulled onto a wooden frame, is best for beginners. With that, all you need to do before getting started is prime it with a material like gesso. This paint compound seals off the fibers of the canvas, which will make your paint go on smoother and last longer, and help protect your brushes. This first key step is also called applying a "ground."

4. Test Your Colors

Oil paint doesn't change much when dry, but acrylics will end up slightly darker than they look while you’re painting. Take this into account from the beginning so that the finished piece isn't darker than you want it to be. To test out colors, simply paint swatches on scrap paper and let dry before moving onto the canvas.

5. Apply a Background Color

In addition to gesso, consider applying an all-over tone to your canvas to instantly set the mood. For instance, a bright white canvas might not be conducive to a dark, stormy skyline, but a coat of a light gray can give you a better starting point.