For centuries, canvas has been used by artists to express their creativity, and until now, this has stayed the same. This material is a versatile type of surface for painting that comes in different shapes, sizes and forms which makes it quite flexible and versatile. Painting on canvas is simple and straightforward, plus the paintings’ longevity is huge when compared to paintings made on different painting materials. What’s more, paintings made on canvas are lighter and easier to transport in comparison to wooden painting surfaces for instance.
Why Use Canvas Panels Instead of Stretched Canvas?
To make things clear first, you should know that canvas panels are rigid boards with a canvas that is glued to them. When compared to stretched canvas, the panel ones are thinner and more convenient for painting both indoors and outdoors which isn’t the case with stretched canvas.
Stretched canvas might be one of the oldest types of canvases, however, it’s the canvas painting panels that are amongst the most popular options recently. They‘re high-quality and lightweight pieces of panels that offer both beginners and pros an amazing painting experience. One of the main reasons why so many artists prefer painting panels overstretched is their firmness. Stretched canvases can become loose during painting (so you’ll need to re-stretch them), but you won’t have this problem by investing in canvas panels.
When painting on a stretched canvas, unfortunately, the surface can move with vibrations and even with changes in temperature that are caused by your arm and hand. This will not be a problem when painting the paint but it can also cause paint cracks over time. In comparison, the surface of canvas panels is more stable and you won’t have any kind of problem painting on them.
Uses of Canvas Panels
When comparing stretched and canvas panels, it seems that the latter are also better at blocking sunlight, but you might wonder how. Well, when painting under the sun, you can easily see how the sunlight changes the painting’s colours, especially in the painting’s centre. This isn’t the case with canvas panels because they entirely block sunlight and you can easily see the exact colour you’ve used.
Small Paintings
Practice shows that these panels are mainly popular with beginners and those artists who love to paint small. These panels have a more neat appearance and make painting extremely easy. In comparison to using stretched canvas boards or stretching the canvas on your own, the readymade canvas panels are easier to use and find. Plus, the corners on these panels are perfectly square, and the corner edges on stretched canvas are more rounded. Even if you buy ready-made stretched canvas, still the corners won’t be perfectly square.
Collage
Truth be said, a great number of artists use these panels for their collage technique because it has been proven that they can hold up to most collage techniques. In order to use it for collage, you should use a good glue that can adhere the paper to the panel immediately. Quite often, artists use acrylic medium because it’s free from acid, has almost no odour and can be cleaned up with water.
As you can see, investing in panels for painting is way better than investing in stretched canvas. Plus, painting on them is better, easier and faster and they offer inexpensive painting support with a luxurious look. Generally speaking, these panels can come in different sizes, shapes and thicknesses whereas square, rectangle and circle are among the most popular shapes. When it comes to choosing the right size, nowadays you can choose from a range of them and pick the right ones depending on your needs. Regarding the panel’s base thickness, it’s said that they are mainly set on around 3mm thick dense card. That way you’ll obtain a sturdy and non-flexible surface which makes them perfect for those times when in the mood to paint outdoors.
Cardboard canvas panels are considered a way more affordable option in comparison to wood. Cardboard is a thicker chipboard which makes it a sturdy option mainly for beginners and students. They’re affordable, lightweight and widely available in well-stocked craft shops.
Wooden panels on the other hand are considered a more durable option and they are mainly made from a sheet of MDF which is also known as hardboard. This means that these boards are heavier, more durable and more expensive which doesn’t make them the perfect option for beginners and students. When in the search for the right models, shapes and sizes of panels for painting made from dense cards, make sure to visit only a trusted, reliable and specialised store for art supplies. That’s because this is the only option to be sure that you will receive quality, sturdy and durable panels that will last you for a long time.
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