I have been an oil painter for many years, and during that time, I learned some tough lessons along the way. While I took a few traditional painting classes in college, I am primarily a self-taught artist. As any self-taught artist will tell you, there are inevitably going to be some "oh duh" moments in your workflow—and that’s completely fine (and expected)!

To help aspiring artists improve their workflow and achieve better results, I’ve outlined 10 canvas painting tips that I rely on regularly. Most of these tips work perfectly with both acrylic and oil mediums, and you can start using them today (or the next time you pick up a brush). Let’s dive in:

Canvas Painting Tip #1 – Make It Prime For Painting

One essential thing to know about painting on canvas is this: Gesso (or any primer) must be a part of your artist toolkit. For years, I neglected this key primer, and it was a mistake. While many manufacturers claim their canvases are "primed," nothing beats the performance of applying a layer of gesso before you start painting.

Gesso dries quickly (under 30 minutes), allowing you to add multiple layers in no time. It provides an excellent base for your oil painting, adds texture to the canvas, and ensures the pigment grips the surface with ease. This means no splayed brush tips and better brush performance, even with budget brushes.

Perhaps the best feature of gesso is its ability to prevent paint waste. It absorbs into the canvas fibers, ensuring your expensive oil or acrylic paint isn’t wasted. Gesso’s low cost per ounce makes it an ideal medium for coating any canvas surface.

Canvas Painting Tip #2: Sketch Before You Paint

An initial sketch with charcoal or graphite can help you plan your composition. However, some artists avoid these mediums because they can mix with the paint and alter its color. If you use charcoal or graphite, a fixative spray can prevent this issue. The fixative penetrates the canvas weave, ensuring your sketch lines remain intact for your underpainting.

Canvas Painting Tip #3: Lay Down Your Initial Wash With The Right Medium

Seasoned artists rarely start painting directly on a primed canvas. Instead, they apply an initial wash after the primer coat. This wash sets the tone of the painting. For example, a blue or "cool" wash can convey a frigid or impersonal atmosphere, while a red or yellow wash can evoke warmth and invitation.

When using oil paint for a wash, you may need to wait a day or two before moving to the underpainting. A helpful trick is to use acrylic paint for the wash instead. Like gesso, acrylic dries quickly, giving you a "paint-ready" layer in under an hour. Canvas’s ability to support multiple layers makes it an ideal surface for this technique.

Canvas Painting Tip #4: Your Canvas Isn’t A Palette

While painting may seem like a sloppy activity, organized artists perform better and more efficiently. Avoid using the canvas as a palette for mixing colors. Instead, mix your paints on a palette tray and then apply them to the canvas. Once paint is on the canvas, it’s difficult to clean or scrape away if you make a mistake.

Glass palettes are an excellent choice for oil painters. They’re smooth, easy to clean, and reusable. You can find affordable glass palettes by repurposing picture frames from discount stores. Just tape the edges to avoid cuts, and you’ll have a perfect, budget-friendly alternative to mixing on the canvas.

Canvas Painting Tip #5 – One Brush Shouldn’t Do Everything On The Surface

Canvas has been a popular painting surface for centuries due to its low cost and archival strength. However, you should never use just one brush for your entire painting. To achieve the best results, use at least three brushes for these key layers:

Wash
Under/Over painting
Detail work

This approach not only improves your results but also extends the life of your brushes.

Canvas Painting Tip #6 – Canvas Is Great For Underpaintings

While sketching with charcoal or graphite is helpful, it often requires a fixative to prevent the medium from muddying your paint. An alternative is to create an underpainting using a neutral color like Burnt Sienna and a solvent like odorless mineral spirits. This thin medium helps develop your composition without the risk of the underpainting showing through as you build your piece.

Canvas Painting Tip #7: Understand When (And How) To Use Solvents

Solvents are essential for any artist’s studio. They provide control and flexibility when working with oil or acrylic paints. For oil paints, turpentine or odorless mineral spirits are commonly used. For acrylics, water is the go-to solvent. These solvents absorb easily into canvas, making it ideal for techniques like "fat over lean" (thick over thin) painting. However, use solvents sparingly—typically no more than a 2:1 ratio.

Canvas Painting Tip #8: A Canvas Surface Can Support Additional Mediums

Canvas can support not only layers of paint and solvents but also additional mediums like linseed oil, Galkyd, or Liquin. These mediums enhance the painting process and allow for experimentation. Canvas’s versatility makes it an excellent surface for artists of all skill levels.

Canvas Painting Tip #9: Dry Your Piece Appropriately

The drying process for your canvas painting depends on the medium used. Oil paint dries through oxidation, while acrylic paint dries through evaporation. For oil paintings, store them in a warm, dry environment to speed up drying. For acrylics, a well-ventilated area ensures quick drying (typically within a day). Using fast-drying solutions like Galkyd or Liquin can also help.

Canvas Painting Tip #10: Share! Put Yourself Out There!

While not a technical tip, sharing your work is crucial for growth and exposure. Whether you display your paintings at a local coffee shop or create a website to showcase your art, putting yourself out there allows others to appreciate and critique your work. If you’ve only used canvas in art school or prefer other surfaces, it’s time to rediscover canvas and enjoy its versatility!