Reddit reviews Fredrix 3501 Canvas Pads, 12 by 16-Inch

Are these on paper? If so, make sure you're using paper appropriate for acrylics, so you don't have to worry about degradation, and you'll have a much easier time achieving depth of colour/shading. You don't necessarily have to move to stretched canvas, especially if you're just starting getting a hang of the medium and just want to play around. You can also use primed canvas pads (eg). They're similar similar to watercolour or sketch pads and have a primed side.

Your second piece is cute and would make a nice illustration, especially for something like a children's book. There's definitely a story there.

Have you painted before? Looks like you're having a good time trying out the new medium, and are making good use of techniques and the material. Good luck!

Fredrix 3501 Canvas Pads, 12 by 16-Inch https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000YQGG3A/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_i391DbXPFMMA5

This is the brand I use. I take masking tape and tape it at the edges to an art board.

Another nice thing about them is that once they are dry, I can store them much much easier.

> 1) If I just want to practice, do I have to size the wood, or can I just go straight to 2-3 coats of acrylic gesso before painting?

I buy canvas paper for that. Ex: https://www.amazon.com/Fredrix-3501-Canvas-Pads-16-Inch/dp/B000YQGG3A



> 2) Also for practice, does it matter if I use something tougher like marine plywood, or is normal plywood okay? What's the cheapest hard surface I can get away with practicing?

it does not matter if you want to trash it. it should be something like a regular surface though.

> 3) For more polished attempts, is 1/8" thick marine plywood suitable for pieces that are 9x12"? (sized and gesso'd) I know warping is an issue for larger pieces, but considering 9x12" isn't that big, and marine plywood is pretty expensive, I'm hoping it's okay.

It's probably ok. I'd spend some time studying the business of board prep and proper woods.

> 4) I've been having what I call "false starts" because I'm so afraid of wasting such costly materials. My background so far has been digital, so nearly everything needed to be bought. Is this anxiety normal, and any advice on how to get over it?

Yes.

Just paint. Start with black and white, then add color after you feel comfortable.

> 5) Are there any sort of containers to avoid using when storing mediums or solvents? I currently have glass jars with metal lids, but would plastic jars with plastic lids be all right, or glass jars with the airtight lids lined with rubber?

Glass jars w/ cork would be good - you can get those from some new age stores which do incense & oils n stuff. https://www.amazon.com/Blue-Glass-Bottle-Cork-Top-3-4oz/dp/B007EEQ0BI

I buy Hobby Lobby eyedropper bottles, myself. I fill the bottle and store the main jar in a darker place.

https://www.hobbylobby.com/Art-Supplies/Painting-Supplies/Palettes-Tools/50mL-Dropper-Bottles/p/57410

> 6) I have a very tiny room, so space is a problem for me. Is it okay to have my painting area in the same room as where I sleep if I take precautions? (not leaving solvent or medium out, washing or dipping brushes, storing rags in a metal container/washing rags at the end of the day)?

Linseed oil isn't an issue. Only the solvents are problematic in terms of offgassing. Make sure your rags are stored in a way that doesn't cause fire.

> 7) Any advice on where and how to cut costs? I've taken to using some cheap materials for some stuff, but everything else seems so costly. Here's my starter set checklist:

> ~ Gamsol

Good solvent. Don't cut costs and use hardware store stuff.

> ~ Galkyd/Liquin

You don't need this.

> ~ Winsor & Newton limited palette (6 tubes)

k.

> ~ Golden Gesso + sandpaper + 2 varnishing brushes

To be honest, I just buy canvases from Dick Blick. I have done the gesso and prep, and it doesn't do anything for me most of the time.

> ~ A set of hog hair brushes, filberts, flats, rounds in small and medium

Can skip the filberts. You'll probably want large.

I would not skimp on brushes. I advise Dick Blick Master's line of red sables and hog hairs. They are a big part of what makes you able to do controllable work.


> ~ palette (cheap piece of glass)

I use a $7 hobby lobby palette.

> ~ cheap canvas boards for practice (inquiring at a local hardware for wood panels to save money)

seems legit.

> ~ 2x palette knives

You probably should get a set so you can figure out how you want to manipulate paint, unfortunately. Saving that: yes, 2x is good.

> ~ a handful of airtight jars and containers

You typically don't need those....

> ~ paper towels and used clothing for rags

Yep.

> ~ DIY'd: brush rack for holding/drying used brushes, table easel

Yep. I cut a semicircle out of an amazon box to lay the brushes flat for holding drying brushes (this way water doesn't run into the wood while it dries); for actual longer term storage I have some glass containers from hobby lobby. If you eat peanut butter faster than I do, you can buy glass jars of peanut butter and use them instead.

Oil painting is a spendy hobby to get started.

I would prefer good brushes, good oil/solvent, and a few but good tubes of paint over anything else. You can cheap out on pretty much everything else; if you can get good wood and properly prep, that's close to ideal for painting longjevity once you can figure out how to cradle it.

Good paint lasts, doesn't have useless additives, and behaves well. I always recommend using single pigment paint for reasons of controllability. Good oil doesn't get in your way, good brushes help you. For budget conscious painting, I believe Gamsol is the best company dollar for dollar, but you can do yourself a solid with Art Treehouse as well.

All this reminds me, I have to put together a "learner's" order for a family member who's into art. :)

If you're looking for cheaper options, there's always canvas paper too to practice on - something like https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B000YQGG3A/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Thank you! I've done a few on canvas pads like this https://www.amazon.com/Fredrix-3501-Canvas-Pads-16-Inch/dp/B000YQGG3A

But this was my first on a stretched canvas. Also I won't be selling this one... (it was my Christmas gift to my mom!)
Hopefully I can paint some that will sell in the near future though!