How to Paint on Canvas with Background Effects

How to Paint on Canvas:

Canvas, on of the old time favourites when it comes to painting. Artists have enjoyed painting on canvas for such a long time, it is almost timeless.

So many of the old valuable paintings that we see in the art museums today show the master painters work done on canvas in so many different styles, from detailed to semi modern.

But what is one of the main, simplest of things, that can set a painting apart from another so dramatically?

It's back ground, now I did say "simple" didn't I.

Simplicity in one word, but complicated in another.

Let me explain. And the best way I can do that is by example, and I have found some lovely examples for you on this page.

How do you feel when you see these paintings?

I feel WOW!

This simple act, though complex in achievement. The backgrounds on both paintings send out a big message here in how to paint on canvas. They have caught your eye and you are compelled to take a more, detailed look at them.

Why? the back ground colures of these two paintings are not detailed, they are in fact quite basic in design, so why do they cause such an impact on us.

Painting Courtesy: Joanna Maitland-Hudson

Now if you were to see these paintings from a distance, I would guarantee you that this use of colour and design will have an even more dramatic overall effect on each individual painting.

So why don't you see for yourself, by getting out of your chair and standing back from the computer screen to have another look at these paintings.

Go ahead, I will be waiting for you...................

How to paint on canvas and deciding what design to paint on canvas requires some thought. Each painting is similar in background impact, yet their designs are different; simple but different.

By choice, and the blending of colures, have transformed both these two paintings into dramatic,  warm and inviting paintings.

"I foresee it and yet I hardly ever carry it out as I foresee it. It transforms itself by the actual paint. I don't in fact know very often what the paint will do, and it does many things which are very much better than I could make it do" ~Francis Bacon, 1963

If we have a look at the first painting of the tiger, we see that the background has been sect ionized. Both background colures are similar to the tiger itself, these same colures draw you away from the main character. Onwards to where the tiger in heading . This is an action scene that is unravelling right before your eyes.

See how the tiger is coming out of its cloak of black darkness, menacingly stalking towards its advisory or prey.

In how to paint on canvas, these rich colures and the way they have been set down, tell you a story of where the tiger is heading and its intentions as it walks into a path which is a blaze of richly coloured oranges and yellows.

Painting Courtesy: Joanna Maitland-Hudson

Now ,we have a horse that is beautifully lit up from behind by some well chosen colures. They don't have to have detail, the blended integration of rich yellows and reds mingled together, are actually playing with the white coloration's of the horse itself.

You can also see that the background has not only given impact to its study, it has also given the impression that the horse is brought forwards in the painting, almost giving it three dimensional feel to the painting.

There is a great difference in how to paint on canvas, and how you can emphasize your painting.

I would not recommend this style of background painting effect on very detailed painting. But whether it be fine art to modern art, each style will benefit and work well with this way of background style of combination's and choice of colures.

 Return from How to Paint on Canvas with Background Effects to Painting Techniques