Sheila M. Evans

This is how I make the canvas panels that I like. Painting in oils on these is the most similar experience I have found to working in pastel. I’m not completely sure why this is, but there are a couple of possibilities. First, the canvas I use is more textured than most of the canvases you can buy, and the hard board backing behind the canvas supports the the fibers and eliminates the “bounce back” you get with stretched canvases. The hard surface mimics working on paper against a drawing board, and the enhanced texture is similar in some respects to sanded pastel paper. Also, the canvases I make seem to be more absorbent than commercial canvases, absorbing (somewhat) the first layers of paint and allowing me to drag subsequent layers across the textured surface while the lower layers show through a bit. This works best with a fairly dry brush. Anyway, enough already. Here’s how I make the panels:

These are the things you will need to make a panel. A piece of masonite, a scrap of canvas large enough to cover with about two inches extra on all sides, some sort of “stick-flat” paste such as Yes! or Nori, a large brush, some steel wool, and something to trim your canvas. I’m using a cutting wheel that you can get at any sewing supply store.  I highly recommend this, but anything will work. Also a rag, extra pieces of masonite, and gesso will be needed–and a method of cutting your panel if desired. Read more