Canvas Paintings
You don’t have to be an expert in order to buy a beautiful canvas painting. In fact, you don’t even need to be a professional artist or even a casual painter in order to tell which pieces are good and which ones aren’t. However, it does help a lot if you are making an informed choice about any purchase, paintings or otherwise.
Canvas Paintings Basics
The word canvas refers to the support medium or surface upon which the pigment, paint, or any other medium is applied. It is characterized as being extremely heavy duty. This sort of fabric is also used to make tents and sails due to its sturdiness. When it is used for paintings, it is usually stretched over a wooden frame.
Today’s modern canvas is basically constructed out of cotton. They used to be made out of hemp. It is made using plain weave, which makes it quite different from cotton fabrics that are familiar to us like shirts or denims. Canvas is usually classified either via a graded system or ounces per square yard.
When used for paintings, stretched canvas will be coated with gesso to prevent the paint from causing the canvas to decay. You can buy canvases that pre-stretched and pre-coated with gesso. You can get them in various weights: 10-12 oz for heavy weight, 7-8 oz for medium, and 4-5 oz for light weight. They are usually coated with around three gesso coats.
In case you’re into heavy painting, a linen canvas will work better for you than one that is made of cotton. Linen has stronger fibers and usually last longer than cotton. The only drawback is that you will have to pay a higher cost for linen canvas. But if you require added details on your work then the extra cost will be worth it.
Buying Canvas Paintings
In case you are about to invest a huge chunk of money on canvas paintings, you can hire an appraiser or art dealer to help you with your purchase. There are a lot of fakes out there and swindlers who will make no second thoughts when ripping you off. Some people make it a habit to purchase art only from auction houses just to make sure that the paintings are authentic.
Online Resources
Of course, the scenario won’t be exactly similar when buying works from upcoming new artists. One way to look for information about up and coming brilliant minds is on the Internet. You can even register and be part of online communities that discuss contemporary artists. There are even new artists that also take part in these online discussions.
Join a Guild
If you are earning your own degree in art then you can even apply for membership in a guild or any other similar organization. Guild members are made privy to gallery calls and art competitions that aren’t immediately announced to the general public. Membership in these guilds is usually offered to those working on their art degrees. At other times such membership may also be sponsored.
Other Places to Look Into
Sometimes an original canvas painting gets sold in civic centers. Art galleries should also be on your list of places to look for paintings. Another place to check out is an estate auction. As always, you can do your homework and read up on the different categories and styles of classic works. Another option is to get expert opinion before risking your own money.
Purchasing Tips
Our first tip is to never purchase canvas paintings with the big hope to sell it later on and make more money. The world of art is quite volatile and unpredictable. What may be highly esteemed today may end up as dead trend in a few years. Make sure you are buying a work of art because you love it and not because you’d love to sell it.
It is always wise to ask the manager of the art gallery if there is anything else they are willing to sell aside from the works that are on display. Galleries always have items in their inventory that aren’t on display in an exhibit.
In case you’re in a tight budget, you can always get prints. Photographs are far more economical than canvas paintings in case you’re just looking to decorate your home or office. Another thing you can do is to purchase works by students from art schools. They are usually cheaper and you get to tap works from potential greats.