Using Acrylic Medium to collage Canvas to boards
Use Acrylic Medium as Glue
AND SAVE MONEY
Recently I was inspired by the Artist Support Pledge on Instagram.
This initiative was started by an artist in the UK. He wanted to support other artists during COVID 19. His idea is a simple one. Artists would post paintings on Instagram priced at $200, and use the hashtag #Artist Support Pledge. When they reached $1000 in sales they would pledge to buy another artist’s work.
What a great idea. I am working on smaller paintings so I put them up for sale on instagram. I reached my first goal and now am waiting for a lovely painting to be delivered via Canada Post.
Those smaller paintings are also now available on my website. You can purchase them for $225 ( that includes GST and Shipping in Canada) by clicking on Intimate Paintings. Please check back as new paintings will be added as I pull them off the easel.
After receiving your painting in the mail, you might wonder what now? I’ve included a DIY tutorial for frugal people. You can glue your acrylic painting onto a board and then frame it. It’s an easy process and will save you money.
Also, I know that some of my blog audience are artists. This method can be used to prepare canvas or linen boards. What an inexpensive way to create a fantastic painting surface. Sometimes I also collage heavier paper (make sure it is archival) onto board. I do a few at a time so I’m set to go plein air painting when the muse strikes.
You can see the process above. I’ll explain those pictures going from left to right.
Gather your materials. You need: acrylic gel medium, gloss ( I use gloss as it does not fog the surface of the painting), a board or canvas to “glue” the painting onto, a brush, a brayer ( this is a printmaking brayer I found in my studio), an X-acto Knife and rags or paper towels.
I usually cut two sides of the painting as it is easier to align it onto the board. I found that sometimes the canvas or linen shrinks. For this reason I don’t cut the entire painting out. I also have started making my initial paintings a bit bigger than the finished size.
Apply a thick coat of medium onto both surfaces- the back of the canvas painting and the board. Be generous. You do not want to create air pockets as this destroys the integrity of the bond. Remember, air expands and extracts as it gets warm or cool. Air pockets are our enemy!
Line up the edge of the painting to the edge of the board. Use a brayer to create good contact. I like to roll from the middle out so that the air is forced to the edges. There will be medium also spilling out, you can wipe that up later.
Flip the board over. Use an X-acto Knife to trim the canvas to size. You will notice that the back of this board is painted with acrylic. If I am gluing the canvas to a thinner board I do this to eliminate warping. Wipe up the excess medium.
Let dry flat. Sometimes I will even put a weight on top so that everything dries flat.
Then frame it. You have a few options here. You can also head down to framing shops or art stores to look for ready-made frames. My framer usually has some of those on-hand. Some of my students have found excellent frames at second hand stores. If you used a wood panel with cradled sides you can even hang it up unframed for a contemporary look.
Now sit back and pour yourself a glass of wine. Find a perfect hanging spot. Sit back and congratulate yourself on a job well done.
I hope you find it helpful.
Click on intimate paintings to see what I have available. Check back, as I’ll be adding more as they are painted.