For artists, anything and
everything can be a canvas. From sheets of cardboard to the human body, there’s
no end to the materials that people have transformed using nothing more than a
paintbrush and a blend of paint.
There are many factors that all
paints should retain; high-strength colour and an even viscosity, qualities
ensured by successful pigment
dispersions, are just two of the factors that all artists
rely on. However, a paint’s substrate doesn’t have to stay the same.
With this in mind, here are four
alternatives to the traditional artist’s canvas.
Silk
From beautiful scarves to unique
wall hangings, painted silk has many applications. Silk painting originally
began in China and India but is now an art form celebrated across the globe.
Although it is one of the most expensive materials to buy, artists enjoy
painting on silk because of the vibrancy of colour that can be achieved. Silk
holds colour well and can create excellent blends, making it a great
alternative to cotton or linen canvases.
Glass
There are many ways to transform
glass with paint, whether you’re upcycling jam jars or decorating your bedroom
windows. Before painting on glass, make sure that you’ve chosen the right kind
of paint; some types aren’t adhesive enough to bind to glass which will make it
difficult to achieve the intensity of colour that you are hoping for.
Popular choices for glass
painting include enamel and acrylic glass paint, both of which can be applied
to glass effectively to create bold designs and a long-lasting finish.
Plastic
Due to its polished, glossy
surface, painting on plastic can be slightly challenging. However, with the
right materials and methods, painting plastic can achieve excellent results.
Standard paints won’t have the adhesive qualities necessary for a durable
finish, so you will need to use a plastic-specific primer. A flexible paint is
also essential for plastic substrates, as being exposed to different
temperatures can cause them to expand and contract accordingly.
Wood
Whether you’re brightening up a
chest of drawers or bringing new life to your garden fence, there are many
different and completely unique applications for painted wood. Perhaps the
biggest challenge to overcome when painting wooden surfaces is to prevent the
colour from bleeding, so it’s always best to prime the wood beforehand.
You will also need to choose the
most suitable type of paint, which will depend on the purpose of your wooden
surfaces; although water-based paints may be ideal for decorative purposes, you
may prefer oil-based paints for a more durable finish.
No matter what your chosen
substrate, choosing paint made with quality pigment dispersions is essential
for ensuring the all-important qualities - such as colour strength and high productivity
- that make paint such a versatile and successful colourant.
