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Trial order from ACF canvases
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Message
Posted
I've just received a test consignment from ACF - two terylene, primed canvases, one regular, one deep (box, gallery, call 'em what you will). I'll let you know how I get on with them, first impressions: arrived quickly; solid stretcher bars, even, smooth coating to which I don't think I'll need to add any more priming. Like nearly everybody else, they use staples to secure the canvas - I'd much prefer canvas pins, non-rusting, but you'd have to pay more for that. And they don't have those triangular bits of wood called - what the hell are they called.... canvas wedges, nor slots for them (at least, on these trial canvases).
I don't think that's a problem, because I've never known the wedges to be of the slightest use in practice, but perhaps you've got on with them and would regret their not being present.
I'm offering this sort of preliminary review because this is a new company, and because I've long been anxious to try terylene as a support - so: thought you lot might be interested too. Now to see how they respond to the brush. Microsoft permitting, having managed to disable my camera and scanner software a few weeks ago with their updates, I'll take some pictures when I'm ready.
Edited
by Robert Jones, NAPA
Posted
Nearly a month, and I still haven't used them - hang on, be brave, review coming. I got into a watercolour and acrylic mood.... and I want to use oil on at least one of these canvases.
Still having photography troubles - both with my own rotten camera skills, and whatever Microsoft and Google Chrome between them have done to my camera settings (yes, I know: whatever THEY'VE done, the real problem is much more likely to be what I'VE done, and then forgotten I've done it: this is why, if you have an eight year old available, I am in the market for their advice).
Posted
I have at last made a start - now stop that cheering, you're just trying to show me up...
It's a very interesting surface - terylene, rather than cotton; the sort of material you'd use to make a robust pair of gent's trousers; if your preference is for very rough canvas, like hemp or jute, this wouldn't be for you. It does have tooth, though - the paint isn't just slipping and sliding about, as I feared it might when I first unwrapped the canvas. I've laid down an Indian red tone, and have got as far as painting my yellows and greens over that, thinly at this point, let down with just a bit of oil; and it's not just sucking up the paint (I didn't add any further priming): it's showing it up well - in a way, better than I was expecting, so I'll have to adjust my technique accordingly.
Further bulletins as we progress.
While I'm at it, I'm also road-testing Cass Arts' own oil paint (having tried so many others over the years): I found, to my great glee, a Naples Yellow they make which doesn't contain the dreaded Zinc - as so many brands do; the real pigment doesn't, but then the real pigment is very expensive. This, for those who like to know, is a mix of Lithopone, Arylide Yellow, Yellow Iron Oxide, and Iron Oxide Red. It's considerably more yellow than the usual pigment marketed as Naples Yellow, and it's satisfyingly thick and heavy out of the tube, as the original pigment is; again, it'll test my technique, but so far it's working well, with a much more fluid Viridian, and Michael Harding's Yellow Ochre.
I wish I could get out with my gear to the scene I'm painting - I'm relying on my photographs and sketches - but, well, you know: age and decay have one by the heels....
So far, then - I think you won't be disappointed by ACF canvases and should think of giving them a try; the same goes for Cass Arts own brand oils.
Oh, and I've discovered what a combination of Microsoft and Google Chrome have done with my photographs - hidden them is what they've done! But they are there, so provided I can remember where they are.... I won't need the 8 year olds after all.
Posted
Update - coo: this is fun! Building up the painting with Viridian, and Mars Orange, but not needing to use any white so far: the Naples Yellow serves as my lightest colour.... mind you, this had better work out in the end, or I am going to look like something of a turnip...... the canvas is excellent though at taking the paint without swallowing it, and allowing me to build up forms thinly.
Remember, this is about the materials, not the image - but when I get any kind of image I'm prepared to share, you will be the first to see it. Now there's a threat.
Posted
I’m feeling a great sense of enthusiasm coming through here… I’m looking forward to seeing what transpires!
I’ve never used this brand of canvas myself, in fact I rarely paint on canvas these days! Canvas or linen covered boards are my preferred choice of late!
Am I missing something I ask myself! What is the difference between these and W&N or any good brand…
Posted
I don't usually paint on canvas either, but wanted to see how terylene compares with cotton duck or linen; and so far.... so far (I will post a WIP soon, before it actually gets finished) I've been pleased with it. W & N still make excellent canvases and boards - Alan, I know you're a big fan of Belle Arti canvas-covered boards, and I like them too; I try all sorts of surfaces, though, in the perpetual hope of finding the perfect one: and I think I'm going to fail there, because so far I'm pretty sure there is no perfect surface - the issue with any canvas, apart from moth, is its essential fragility: so easy to dent it, have it sag, put a foot through it; against which, they're light, and are pleasant to paint on.
In short - makes a change from me! - it's the quality of surface that interests me: I don't much like the surface showing through the paint, and because I tend not to use very thick paint, it often does; the ACF canvases have a very fine surface weave, without the expense, and difficulty of stretching, linen. So - I had to have a go. Whether I stay with them or not depends on where I get with my current effort.
Don't know whether this'll show - very first coats.
Posted
As a matter of interest - or weary indifference - I've added Cobalt Teal to my repertoire, on the recommendation of the New Zealand painter Andrew Tischler: I would be the first to say that chasing around the paintmakers' websites for that extra colour which will transform your painting is a fool's errand, but it is a very remarkable colour: it mixes with greens and darks, for example, where you might assume it wouldn't....
The scene, Carol, is a couple of miles away from where I live - it's called Knowles Farm, on the Niton Undercliff, near to St Catherine's Lighthouse: and when I was there the other day, I made the mistake of walking too far, and along the wrong path: got stuck in a mixture of thick mud and cow-pats; I would have been in real trouble if I'd fallen, but there we are - using a shepherd's crook I got through. The rocks fell long ago from a massive landslip: a great place when dry underfoot, but way too many cows for comfort. I've done some more work on it today - I don't rush at things any more because I run out of energy too quickly, and - here's a lesson to our older listeners - once you do, and keep working anyway, you go wrong; invariably. This canvas is indeed great to work on in my opinion - Mr ACF is a one-man band, but if he takes on staff I'll see if I can persuade him to offer real oil-primed canvas: I think that would work well, and of course, it's very hard to find nowadays.
Posted
I've spent many an evening watching Andrew Tischler. He uses the Cobalt Teal to good effect when painting waves, which he does with ease and excellence, saying that, he does paint a little too realistic. There is an episode where he doesn't, a landscape, and it looks far more appealing.
Blimey, Robert, that seems a very dangerous place to walk, and one to admire, especially for inspiration by the sound of it. I've slipped many a time on sheep poo, but the combination of cow-pats and mud-on a bank, even I would draw a line there.
I shall try a Mr ACF canvas., not that I'm any expert mind, as you know. Can you explain what a real oil-primed canvas is, and what the difference it could make.