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19 August, 2008

Ann
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5 Comments

Question about canvas board. Can I cut it?

I have two pieces of driftwood and put together would make a lovely irregular frame. My painting surface wouldn't be large. It would be around 8 inches long x 5 inches at the widest part.

Can I cut a canvas board with an exacto knife to fit behind it? I would glue it behind the frame.

Would I have trouble with the edges peeling or warping? I paint in acrylics.

Would laying heavy gesso around the rough edges help to seal it, or do you have any other ideas? Thanks, Ann

5 Comments

chris newbrook 19 Aug 2008

I think canvas boards are rather low grade quality anyway, so cutting it would probably effect the overall tension surface and cause warping.

Better idea would be to use a peice of hardboard, seal it with pva glue first on both sides then prime it with gesso and create the texture/tooth you need before starting your painting on it. Always a good idea to seal it on both sides of the board though first, as this prevents warping.

Ann 19 Aug 2008

Hi Chris, Where do I find hardboard, and what is PVA glue?

This will involve quite a bit of cutting because it will be in a very irregular shape. Do you need a special saw for hardboard? I don't have a jigsaw, will an exacto knife cut through it? Ann

darrell parrott 19 Aug 2008

Ann. I have been cutting it to shape for years.I was worried that the canvas would separate from the panel, but it has not happened yet. Good luck.Oh, yes an exacto knife will work.

chris newbrook 20 Aug 2008

PVA glue (Polyvinyl acetate) is a craft glue for paper and wood. You should be able to buy it at any art shop or DIY store. This will seal the surface of the hardboard to prevent the gesso or paint sinking straight in.

Hardboard can also be baught at most DIY stores.

Canvas board is ok for hobby art but the surface of it deteriates far quicker than stronger canvas or hardboard with gesso.

Ann 21 Aug 2008

Darrell and Chris, thank you for your suggestions.

I think I will give the canvas board a try. I think it will be much easier than trying to use a jigsaw to cut all the curves in a wood board.

It's not a big surface I'll be painting, so if it ends up giving me problems, then I'll pull it off and give your board idea a try Chris.

Thanks all! Ann