Choosing The Right Substrate: Paper VS. Canvas

 When you're starting with acrylic painting, one of the first and most important choices you'll face is selecting the right surface to paint on. The substrate you choose can affect your painting technique, the final appearance of your work, and even how long your painting lasts. Two of the most popular substrates are paper and canvas. In this post, we'll walk through their differences, when to use each, and how to prepare them properly.

Understanding the Basics: What Is a Substrate?

A "substrate" in painting refers to the surface on which you apply your paint. For acrylic artists, common substrates include:

• Watercolor paper
• Stretched canvas
• Canvas boards
• Wood panels

While you can paint on almost anything with acrylics, paper and canvas remain the most popular for their accessibility and versatility.

Watercolor Paper: A Budget-Friendly Favorite

Watercolor paper is a fantastic choice for beginners and even for experienced artists when sketching out ideas or practicing techniques.

Benefits:

• Affordable: A pad of Canson XL watercolor paper (11x15") with 30 sheets is typically around $10–$15.
• Great for Practice: Ideal for experimenting with color, brush strokes, and layering.
• Easy to Store: Flat sheets are simple to store, stack, or frame.
• Portable: Lightweight and easy to bring on the go.

Tips for Success:

• Use Heavier Weight: Choose 140 lb (300 gsm) or higher for best results with acrylics.
• Gesso is a Must: Always apply a layer of gesso to seal and prime the surface.
• Tape It Down: Use artist's tape to secure the edges and create clean borders.

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When to Use It:

• Practice sessions
• Color testing
• Sketching compositions
• Budget-friendly projects

Stretched Canvas: The Classic Artist’s Surface

Stretched canvas is a professional-grade substrate that can elevate the appearance of your work.

Benefits:

• Durability: Canvas is strong and resists warping.
• Longevity: Paintings on properly prepped canvas can last decades or longer.
• Professional Appearance: Looks polished and ready-to-hang.
• No Framing Required: Paint the edges for a gallery-wrapped look.

Recommended Brand:

• Blick Premier Stretched Canvas: Made from quality wood and sturdy canvas, and backed by excellent customer service. They offer replacements if any canvas arrives damaged.

Tips for Success:

• Pre-Stretched vs. DIY: Beginners should opt for pre-stretched canvases.
• Gesso Prep: Most store-bought canvases are pre-primed but check the label.
• Use Firm Brushes: Heavier bristle brushes are best for canvas texture.

When to Use It:

• Finished paintings
• Commissions or gallery work
• Gifts and portfolio pieces

Comparing Paper and Canvas

Feature	Watercolor Paper	Stretched Canvas
Cost	Low	Medium to high
Prep Needed	Must gesso and tape	Usually pre-primed
Portability	Lightweight, flat	Bulky, harder to transport
Texture	Smooth to medium (cold-press)	Medium to coarse (varies by weave)
Durability	Moderate; may tear if unprimed	High; withstands layering and scraping
Presentation	Best for sketchbooks, framing under glass	Ready to hang, gallery-style

Preparing Your Paper: Step-by-Step

1. Choose the Right Side: Use the rough-textured side for better paint adhesion.
2. Apply Gesso: Use a wide hardware brush and apply undiluted gesso.
3. Let it Dry: Allow to fully dry to avoid paper tearing.
4. Tape It Down: Use half-on, half-off taping for clean edges.

⚠️ Pro Tip: Use Frog Tape to prevent tearing on paper. 

Preparing Your Canvass

Most pre-stretched canvases come primed with 

acrylic gesso. However:

• If you prefer a smoother finish, you can sand lightly and apply another layer of gesso.
• To test absorbency, wet your finger and touch the canvas—if water absorbs, add more gesso.

Final Thoughts

Both paper and canvas have a place in your acrylic painting journey. If you're just starting out or working on studies, watercolor paper is an affordable and forgiving surface. When you're ready to elevate your work or paint for presentation, move to stretched canvas. The key is knowing which tool suits your artistic purpose.

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Will A Glass Palette Changing Your Life As An Artist

Choosing the right palette is a surprisingly important decision for acrylic painters. While many beginners start with paper plates or disposable palettes, upgrading to a glass palette can transform your painting experience. In this post, we’ll walk through the advantages of glass palettes, compare them with other materials, and help you decide what works best for your needs.

Are Glass Palettes a Game Changer?

Glass palettes offer a range of benefits that make them ideal for acrylic painters:

• Eco-Friendly: Glass palettes are reusable, reducing waste from paper or plastic palettes.
• Easy to Clean: Even dried acrylic paint scrapes off with a simple paint scraper and a bit of water.
• Non-Porous Surface: The smooth surface makes color mixing effortless and more accurate.
• Durability: A tempered glass palette can last a lifetime with proper care.

Comparing Palette Materials

Here’s a breakdown of the most common types of palettes used in acrylic painting, along with their pros and cons:

Palette Type	Pros	Cons
Glass	Durable, reusable, easy to clean, smooth mixing surface	Heavier, breakable, requires storage space
Plastic (Disposable)	Lightweight, cheap, easy to find	Single-use, not eco-friendly, not ideal for blending
Plastic (Reusable)	Affordable, reusable, lightweight	Stains over time, harder to clean thoroughly, still love these
Paper Pad	Peel-off layers for easy cleanup, portable	Less durable, warps when wet, limited mixing space
Ceramic/Tile	Smooth surface, reusable, aesthetic	Heavier than glass, smaller surface area
Wood	Traditional feel, natural aesthetic	Can absorb moisture, harder to clean, not ideal for acrylics

Tips for Using and Maintaining Any Type of Hard Surface Reusable Palette

• Clean as You Go: Use a water mister to keep paint from drying out and making clean-up harder.
• Scrape Regularly: A simple window scraper or razor blade can remove dried paint easily.
• Avoid Shattering Glass or Ceramic: Store your palette vertically in a padded area or drawer when not in use.

What If You Don't Have The Budget For a Glass Palette?

Don’t worry—you don’t have to run out and buy one. Here are a few quick alternatives:

• Upcycle a Picture Frame: Remove the back and use the glass.
• Use Ceramic Tiles: Pick up large tiles at a hardware store for a durable, low-cost mixing surface.
• Peel-Off Palettes: If storage is a concern, these are lightweight and easy to carry.
• Reusable Plastic Palettes: These can be found just about anywhere, including the dollar store!

Final Thoughts

Glass palettes are a wonderful option for painters. They are very easy to clean. But with so many other wonderful options out there to choose from, they aren't necessary beyond personal preference. 

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Creating The Perfect Acrylic Painting Workspace

Setting up your acrylic painting workspace is an exciting first step in your artistic journey. Whether you live in a studio apartment, have a garage to convert, or prefer painting outdoors, this guide will help you create an efficient, inspiring, and practical environment for your creative process.

My Dining Room Setup

Choosing Your Workspace Location 

Small Apartment Setup 

In small spaces, maximizing vertical storage and selecting dual-purpose furniture is key. 

• Use a Tabletop Easel: 

    A folding tabletop/plain air easel is perfect for apartments. It can sit on a kitchen table when in use and fold away easily for storage. 

• Glass Palette Tip: 

    Repurpose a kitchen cabinet shelf as a glass palette and store it vertically in a cupboard when not in use. 

• Storage Solutions: 

    Invest in a three-tier rolling cart (like those from IKEA) to keep paints, brushes, and water jars  mobile and contained. 

• Surface Protection: 

    Use a vinyl tablecloth or taped-down butcher paper to protect your dining surface. 

Garage or Basement Studio

If you have access to a garage, laundry room, or basement corner: 

• Standing Easel: 

    Use a full-size standing easel for larger canvases. 

• Permanent Setup: 

    You can keep a workbench or dedicated table out at all times. 

• Lighting: 

    Add daylight-balanced lamps or LEDs to mimic natural light.

 • Ventilation: 

    Keep air circulating if you're using mediums or sprays. 

A Rolling Cart For Storage

Outdoor/Plein Air Painting Space     

Painting outdoors adds inspiration, but requires portability: 

• Plein Air Easel: 

    Choose one with telescoping legs and a built-in palette shelf. 

• Travel Kit: 

    Keep a zippered pouch or box with travel-sized tubes of paint, collapsible water containers, and    compact brushes. 

• Sunshade or Hat: 

    Protect yourself from direct sunlight to avoid glare on your work. 

Workspace Must-Haves 

Glass Palette: Provides a smooth surface for mixing and is easy to clean with water and a scraper.  Rolling Cart: Use bins to organize brushes, paints, and mediums by type. 

Water Containers: Have a large bucket for cleaning brushes and a smaller jar for rinsing. 

Paper Towels or Rags: For wiping brushes or spills. 

Lighting: If you’re indoors, use daylight bulbs for color accuracy. 

Tape & Clips: To secure paper or canvases in place. 

Tips for Keeping It Clean and Efficient 

Get in the habit of immediately wiping down palettes and cleaning brushes for storage. Laying down drop clothes for floor and table makes clean up a breeze. Trust me, no one wants to scrub acrylic off the dining room table...I know this from experience. And finally, be sure to store canvases off the floor in humid or damp places to prevent mold and moisture damage. 

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