How a Prepared Canvas can Drastically Improve your Painting

The number one mistake all beginners make is buying a pre-stretched canvas or canvas board from a discount bookstore and not unwrapping the cellophane from it.

The number two mistake is leaving the canvas white when they start painting.

The first technique I always teach in painting (and a technique I use on 99% of my work) is to cover the white canvas with one solid paint colour which is called a ‘ toned ground’.

This is short for ‘toned background’ and is No. 1 of my painting principles.

It can be called a ‘toned ground’ or ‘coloured ground’ as it can be used in drawing and painting.

Using a coloured ground does a number of fantastic things that are not to be underestimated when starting to learn how to paint.

It can transform your paintings by making them look more professional, increase the speed in creating your paintings and give you a fool-proof method of creating a tonal mood in your work…Different artists throughout the ages have used toned grounds in their work,  from Turner to Jack Vettriano.

Turner used pre-coloured sheets of watercolour paper with different hues (colours) of browns, blues and greys.

When faced with a scene he would look through his pre-painted watercolour sheets and select the most appropriate colour.

For example, a warm brown for an Autumnal tree scene.

You can apply a toned ground (also called a coloured ground) opaquely or as a transparent stain (called an Imprimatura)

For our initial purpose  an opaque finish  is best as it stops the acrylic painting looking too ‘watercolour’

Pro tip: It is applied after priming a canvas with gesso if you’re working on a raw canvas.

What colours do you use for the toned ground?

It depends on the mood and feel you’re after in your painting. You’re trying to imagine what’s underneath the painting and then build opaque layers of colour ontop of this.

My preferred choice for landscapes, still life’s or portraits nearly always stem from one of the Earth colours. See: What are my paints made from?

Usually either Burnt Umber + white, Raw Umber + white or Yellow Ochre.

For the absolute beginner, I recommend using Yellow Ochre.

Why?

It’s usually included in most beginner sets and can be used diluted with a little water.

It’s also brighter than you think so is good at taking you out of your comfort zone.

Using Yellow Ochre can cause some hesitation if you are first starting painting as the yellow can seem too strong, but you just need to have a little faith!

For example, if you are painting a blue seascape the warm undertone of the yellow can balance perfectly to the cool blues in the scene, adding the feeling of the sun hitting parts of your painting.

Pro Tip: If you try using the Yellow ochre straight from the tube but still find it a little too strong in intensity for your taste just add some Titanium white to the mix to mute it down – it will give you a colour close to Naples yellow.

Are your watercolour techniques ruining your acrylics?

If you’re coming to Acrylics or Oils from Watercolour you will naturally use too little paint.

Watercolour is based on diluting, Acrylic is based on adding.

If you combine scratchy, watery paint onto a white canvas your painting will look amateurish.

If you have the same scratchy watery paint on an opaque ground colour your painting will look rocking!

The coloured ground is doing all the work for you.

How does a coloured ground help me?

Bought canvases and boards are nearly always white.

When you have a white canvas any colour you paint onto it looks drastically different because of the optical effects and tricks colour plays on you.
As a beginner, this can be disconcerting. For example, if you paint a light grey onto your white canvas it will look black.

With an untrained artistic eye, it’s really hard to judge colours and tones accurately because of the effects of ‘Simultaneous contrast.’

Pro tip: Have a look at the video half way down this article to see the effects of simultaneous contrast

How much do I dilute my Acrylics? (and do I just use water?)

It depends on the brand of paint you’re using.

Heavy body paint will need more water than a soft body paint. As I use this technique on most of my paintings I use a fluid acrylic from Golden paints. This has already been mixed in the factory to a thin consistency and has a good level of acrylic binder in the paint and a really nice strong saturation of colour. You can add a touch of water into it and it will still hold the acrylic bond really nicely.

If you’re just starting with the technique using standard Acrylics will work fine.

Pro tip: Some manufacturers recommend you don’t dilute Acrylics with more than 40 – 50%  water due to diluting some of the acrylics adhesive qualities (as you are diluting the amount of acrylic ‘binder’ in the mix). However, for this stage of the painting this doesn’t matter, as we’re painting directly onto the canvas. We want the paint to ‘grab’ onto the canvas and soak it. If you mix in too much medium at this stage it can cause a resist to the further layers of paint adhering onto them as easily. Keep the mix thin and ‘lean’.

Pro tip: If you are finding the paint is pooling in small droplets on the surface when you are just using water you need to add a dash of ‘flow release medium (now called wetting agent) to the paint. This will help to break down the surface tension and make the thin layer of paint soak into the canvas.

How do I apply an Acrylic Coloured Ground?

Time :10 Mins

Level: Absolute beginner

Materials:

Yellow Ochre Acrylic paint ( I demonstrate with Golden Acrylics Heavy body paint) white canvas or canvas board, decorators brush (I use a Purdy 2 inch decorators brush), kitchen roll (paper towel), water, newspaper, Cranked handle palette knife ( I use a number 45 RGM palette knife)

Pro Materials: (Tear off the disposable palette, Cranked handle palette knife ( I use a number 45 RGM palette knife), water mister, Golden fluid Acrylic.

So here’s what you do:

1. Lay old newspaper on the floor, or work on a really old floor or table.

2. Mix the Yellow ochre in a jam jar/old mug or plastic tray with water until it’s the consistency of milk/single cream. Student Quality paints will need less water than artist quality paints.

3. Grab some kitchen roll in your left hand (because your bound to get some unwanted drips when you first start).
Pick up the canvas. Paint around the edges first, trying not to get too much overflow onto the front of the canvas. Angle the brush to minimize bristles sneaking over the front of the canvas. Apply the paint with a scrubbing motion to ‘push it’ into the canvas so it soaks into the canvas.

4. Place the canvas on the floor or low table. Then working quickly brush the paint from left to right to cover the canvas.

5. When you paint there will be darker streaks of paint on the edge of the canvas  because the bristles push it out. You have to keep working backwards and forward to smooth out the indiscretions.

6. squeeze the brush in the kitchen towel to take out most of the moisture and then gently go over the canvas again working from left to right, overlapping strokes and lifting the brush at the end rather than working back and forth.

Watch out for drips on the side of the canvas and if your too enthusiastic watch out for spray from the brush.

Pro Tip: I premix a whole airtight plastic container with a ground colour so I don’t have to mix the perfect consistency every time.

Pro Tip: If you are mixing the paint and the water together don’t use the decorators brush, it will pick up too much of the paint and be tricky to mix together. Try using a plastic kitchen spatula, old paintbrush

Pro Tip
: I Use Golden Fluid Acrylic paint as it has a stronger staining effect than watering down Heavy body paint.

Pro Tip: If using Acrylic ground for oil paint make sure you add water to the acrylic. As acrylic is plastic based it can cause a skin that the oil paint will sit on top rather than sinking into the canvas.

Pro Tip: If you add too much paint to the initial layer the paint won’t behave the same on the weave of the canvas.

So where do we go from here?
You’ve unwrapped your canvas and got a lovely coloured ground painted. Now we need to have a quick understanding of brushes so we have the right tools for the job.

Resources

 

 

These brushes are off the hook, brilliant for decorating at home as well, come with a little cardboard ‘brush house’ to keep the brush in shape between uses. Look out for sets for sale as these can be really good value.

I predominantly use Golden paints as I find the colour saturation really good and the Titanium White has some amazing opacity. They also have a huge range of mediums, Gels & varnishes.

This Post Has 551 Comments

  1. Philip

    Great advice.
    Thanks

    1. Will Kemp

      Thanks Philip, glad you found it useful

      1. Alexis Lee

        This is so great ! I HATE video tutorials & this was actually pretty easy to follow & not annoying. Thanks ! :)

        1. Will Kemp

          Thanks Alexis, pleased you enjoyed it.
          Will

      2. Liana

        Hi Will
        Im also a beginner…but what I want to know is, how do you work out the blocks on the paper and then on the canvas? Im not excatly sure how to do that (before I can draw the outlines on the canvas?)

        1. Will Kemp

          Hi Liana, I’m not sure I fully understand your question, what blocks on the paper are you referring to?
          Cheers,
          Will

    2. Maria Forero

      thank you very much, I am a beginner and do not speak english very well, but I find your advice very usefull.

      1. Will Kemp

        Thanks Maria, really pleased you enjoyed the article.

        Cheers,

        Will

    3. Glenn Marston

      I want the final color to be dark black, what color should ground be? I am as you see not experienced painter, but I have an idea…

      1. Will Kemp

        Hi Glenn, it varies depending on the rest of your colour scheme, but you can start with a black canvas if you’ve got a good quality white for mixing colours to paint over the top.
        Cheers,
        Will

    4. Rona Gouws

      Thank you so much for this very important info. I paint in oil so now I know how to prepare my boards. The way you explained, it terrific, and so easy to understand. Thank you very much.
      Kind regards
      Rona

      1. Will Kemp

        Pleased you found it helpful Rona.
        Cheers,
        Will

    5. Jayne

      Dear Will,
      Absolute beginner here but very enthusiastic. I am nervous to get started without having the right materials. I have bought tubes of acrylics and a set of brushes, plus a pad of heavy paper. I now see that a medium is recommended for the ground, would you suggest that I buy a variety of different mediums to allow for maximum options and effects as I learn more skills? I don’t want to waste money but at the same time I want to have a decent set of materials so I can explore different things. Many thanks for your help and your excellent tutorials!

      1. Will Kemp

        Hi Jayne, you can start just using water and then add mediums from there. I tend to only use a few, a Glazing liquid gloss, and an airbrush medium for thin first applications. You can get some small tester kits that have a variety of different mediums you can try to see which you prefer.
        Cheers,
        Will

  2. Sophie

    Thanks so much for this website and this advice! I’m trying to teach myself to paint and your site is the best resource I’ve found online so far. When I find a job (darn economy) I’d like to take a course, but for now I really appreciate your generosity in sharing these lessons!

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Sophie, pleased to here you are learning some tips on how to start painting, let me know if there is anything in particular you are struggling with and I’ll try to cover it in a future post,

  3. Linda

    Hi Will, your site and your teaching is sensational, love it. Am an aspiring artist and this helps so much. and your profile photo is hilarious, makes me want to laugh too! Thanks thanks thanks!

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Linda,
      Thanks, pleased to hear the site is helping, I think the photo captured my best side! Are you beginning painting or drawing?

  4. Linda

    Your site is brilliant and fresh. I am both drawing and painting, but prefer painting …applying that buttery texture of oils is just so enjoyable.

    1. Will Kemp

      Oh, I know, mixing oil colours is highly addictive! Enjoy

  5. Mehak

    Hi Will,
    I am always looking for websites to learn and improve as I am still a beginner in painting.. and this will really help me in capturing the right mood and feel of whatever I paint.. Thank u so much!! :) :)

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Mehak,
      Coloured grounds can be really useful for instantly creating a mood to your paintings. Sometimes less can be more if you use a limited palette to creating a sense of style and feel. Glad this had been of help to your paintings,

      Will

  6. Jay Shah

    Mr. Kemp,

    What surface would you recommend a beginner to use? Aside from a prepared canvas, ready primed and stretched, there are Canvas Boards, Canvas pads (like the Fredrix real canvas pad),Canvas Paper and paper pads . Should I try any of these? I am using Canvas boards at present.

    Thanks
    Jay

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Jay,

      Aside from a prepared canvas, any of the surfaces you mention would be fine with Acrylics, it’s all down to personal preference.
      Canvas boards can be great to start on, you just might find that some of the cheaper brands repel water so using a coloured ground will really help.

      Give them a go, experiment a little and see which ones you prefer.
      I prefer a prepared canvas because you can work thinly or thickly and it prepares you for doing larger scale paintings.

      Will

      1. Jay Shah

        You were right…much better than the boards. The canvas holds the paint better and it is far easier to vary the amount of paint especially when blending. Also the whole thing just looks better! I managed to find ones which were over 12oz and triple primed in a medium weave.

        Thanks!

          1. Bushra

            Hello Will
            First I want to thank you for the wealth of useful information that you have shared on your website. I love the conciseness of the knowledge you are giving here. I am a beginner in painting and trying my hand at acrylics and referring to your website a lot. I am a bit good in drawing but fail to make my painting look quite real which i would love to. I love landscapes and abstracts.Do you have a book coming? I would love to read it. Computer screens really tire my eyes :-( At present I am searching for helpful books on acrylic painting. Its hard to choose from so many options out there.Anyways i have a question for now is it necessary to prime canvas board or canvas paper? the seller told me it was pre primed but i can prime it nonetheless. How important is that? Or should i use a colored background directly?

          2. Will Kemp

            Hi Bushra,

            Pleased you’ve been finding the articles helpful in understanding acrylics, here’s an article about How to gesso an acrylic painting that should help answer a few of your questions. I think a book should be on my New Year’s resolution list!

            Cheers,

            Will

    2. Xerxes Mendez

      I’m glad you asked Jay because I am a beginner getting serious about painting. I had been using canvases and then canvas panels which just felt blocky and obstructionist to me. I did a quick study on watercolor paper and found that I like that more. After googling Fredrix real canvas pad, I ordered some from Amazon. Can’t wait! So your note was very helpful to me.

  7. Michelle

    Hi Will!
    I am loving your site so far, so much wonderful info. I am picking up a paintbrush again for the first time in 18 years and I am learning so much from you, thank you!

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Michelle, Thanks for your kind comments, really pleased to hear you are picking up a paintbrush again, if you have any questions just post me a comment. Are you working in acrylics or oils?
      Will

  8. Michelle

    Hi Will. I am using acrylics. I tried oils a long time ago but wasn’t too sure about them, not exactly sure why but I know that I prefer acrylics and even watercolor over oils.

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Michelle,
      Painting really is a personal preference, it’s great that you have experimented with other mediums, it really is the only way to try and find your own style.
      Will

  9. Rod(ney) Hulme

    Mr. Kemp;
    I have painted in oils for a few years, trying various things starting with an aqua BG and painting, after reading, and looking at cetaceans from every anatomical viewpoint…painting whales from a below the surface perspective. Knew this would get old, so I had to paint some rocks, sea bottoms, shore, et cetera. As I realized I needed to paint other things…I did, with varying success..enough to make greeting cards to friends and all that. I love oils, however they take months to dry!

    So, thought I would try acrylics, but with no knowledge of viscosity, flow, and a few other things, where to start? Found you, and your very approach appealed to me off the top! I would be interested in a book setting forth the truths in your videos, at least something I can read/watch, and learn as I do so.
    Is there indeed, or plans for such an item as this upcoming?
    Thank you. Cordially, Rod

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Rod,
      Thanks for leaving a comment, sound like you’ve been busy with the oils!
      It can be a bit of a shift coming to acrylics, but there are many similarities, hope the website has been helpful.
      I have been working on a book on the fundamentals as the read/watch technique can work well!
      I’ll add details to the blog when it’s ready,

      Thanks,
      Will

  10. Ben

    Hey Will, thanks for all of this! Your website and videos are the best painting tips/tutorials I’ve seen. You do a great job of explaining all the techniques you’re using as you paint, and never just skim over something without teaching it first. I like how you explain the “why” about a lot of things, or the way of thinking for beginners. Keep up the good work! I’ll be checking your blog for details about the book you mentioned in the above comment too.

    Ben

    1. Will Kemp

      Hey Ben,

      Thanks for the comment, really pleased to hear that the tutorials are helping your paintings. The fundamentals can be so important when you are first starting. Have you done any paintings before?

      Thanks,
      Will

  11. Kim

    Hi Will,

    Found your site from YouTube and soooo glad I did. Years ago I painted in oils using Bob Ross techniques and I learned a lot. Wanted to paint again but not get into messy oils again. Figured acrylics was the way to go. Just used your free videos to paint my first ever acrylic! Thank you. I think I have watched all your others too! You’ve taught me a lot and I look forward to learning more. Thank you!

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Kim,

      Great to hear from you, glad the videos are helping you find your way with acrylics.

      Looking forward to seeing your results!

      Thanks,

      Will

  12. Glenna

    You have a gift of making it all sound so simple and fun! Your candid approach takes the anxiety of not wanting to mess up and actually try it. :-) Thank you for all of hard work and effort in putting this site together!!

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Glenna,

      Thanks very much for your comment, often the thought of what may go wrong with a painting stops students even starting, and this is a real shame, because just taking things a little bit at a time, step-by-step can really produce some fantastic results. Having fun with your painting helps you relax and is a stimulus for your own creativity so it is a win-win situation!

      Thanks again,
      Will

  13. Susan yamakawa

    I started painting 40 years ago in oils and it seems like I remember using gesso for texture,ex. Waves.now I’m using acrylic and I was told that gesso will help prevent white spots, probably a primer? My ambition is to paint a river. Is gesso the product I need?

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Susan, gesso is just a way of preparing your canvas or board as a surface to work onto. With acrylics you don’t officially need a gesso and can create a textured underpainting using a textured gel mixed in with your acrylics paints. You can check out my article about gesso here

      Hope this helps,
      Will

  14. Becky

    Dear Will,
    It has taken me some weeks to get up the courage to actually purchase materials to get started in acrylics. I have watched a number of your videos as well as videos on the Golden website. Now I am starting a shopping cart at an online art supply store and finding that I know basic materials but don’t want to forget anything. I literally own nothing for painting with acrylics. I think I’ve figured out which paints to buy (I found a list on your “What acrylic colours should I buy to start with?” post). The trouble I’m having now is which brushes to purchase. Don’t have a good art store here to actually go out and touch the brushes. Do you have any brand you recommend? I found the Isabey Isacryl Filbert #6 but can’t find the Memory Round #10…

    Also, do you have a general list of all “start-up” supplies I would need? Including canvases, brushes, paints, palettes, etc.? Thanks so much for your website. It’s really fantastic.

    1. Will Kemp

      Hey Becky,
      Great to hear you are plucking up the courage to start painting. Sounds like you have managed to pick up most Of the things you need.

      I don’t have a specific ‘start up list’ as I usually have a list for each specific course or workshop.

      Canvas wise I would usually recommend a pre-primed white canvas that you can then add a toned ground to yourself. The Isabey are great brushes for acrylics. In terms of a round brush any synthetic will be fine. The only other thing is a palette, in my demos I use a tear off palette which can save on washing up!

      Paint wise the recommended colours in my basic acrylic paints post is a great start.

      Hope this helps,
      Will

  15. kmie

    I am new in using acrylic..your tutorial really helps me improve my painting skill..thanks..

  16. Swati

    Hey Will,
    Great tips and a wonderful way of making difficult things work out so simply!
    I had a small question, though.
    Does preparing ground, work for oils too and if so, should we use oil or acrylic, as the ground medium?
    Thanks
    Swati

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Swati,

      Glad you enjoyed the article, yes the techniques works well with oils also, if you are working with oils you can use either acrylics or oils as the ground colour. With acrylics make sure you dilute the paint slightly so the ground colour isn’t too thick. Otherwise the oil you paint ontop won’t be able to ‘grab’ onto the paint beneath.

      Thanks,

      Will

  17. Charina

    Hi Will

    I am really enjoying your website, I love the methods and techniques you have been describing, they are really clear and well presented. I also really enjoy your music taste! I have been quietly painting for a while but only recently started communicating and sharing ideas with other artists. So far I have been presenting paintings with a painted canvas edge but would like to now frame a few. I wondered if you could give any advise the process of about varnishing and framing.
    Thank you
    Charina

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Charina,

      Great to hear you have been enjoying the site ( and music!) For a painting where the canvas edge Has been painted I often ‘float frame’ my paintings.

      This is where there is a 0.5 to 1 cm gap around the painting and the frames is flush to the front of the canvas. It is a nice contemporary way of framing a canvas without it feeling too traditional.

      For acrylics I apply a Varnish after first applying an isolation coat

      Thanks,
      Will

  18. Dina

    I’m very glad I found your site! Definitely the best free resource I’ve found. I’m only a beginner but thanks to your tutorials i now just take it one step at a time and i’m not so intimidated by the white canvas anymore.

    I just tried painting on a prepared canvas in yellow ochre and it does make a huge difference.

    Thank you for all the tips and you do a great job explaining all the how’s and why’s!

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Dina,

      You’re welcome, the coloured ground is so effective in taking the ‘fear factor’ of the white canvas away, so pleased you are finding the site helpful in your painting.

      Thanks,
      Will

  19. Shruti

    Hi Will, I was greatly inspired by your videos on youtube. Great job!! I am thinking of doing the ‘landscape painting’ on a normal sheet (not canvas) which is slightly thicker than the usual sheet of paper. Is it OK to apply ground color on that?? or will it make the sheet soggy??

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Shruti,

      It really depends on the thickness of paper, and how watery the mix. If you have some watercolour paper about 340gsm then it will be fine. The sheets or board won’t be as absorbant as the canvas I painted the demo on so the paint will slide around a bit more, just something to be aware of.

      Good luck with the painting!
      Thanks,
      Will

  20. Christy

    Hi Will!

    I am also very new in starting to develop my passion for paint, texture and color with acrylic painting and love your site and all the helpful information that you have provided! I have a question for you about preparing your canvas. If I am more interested in doing abstract art at the moment (really playing around with texture and color for the moment), is it still essential that I ground my painting with a base color? I am finding it hard to know what base color I would want to use for this purpose.
    Thanks so much for your interest in helping others! Christy

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Christy,

      Thanks for your kind comments, personally I always work on a coloured ground.

      If I’m working on portraits, landscapes or abstracts, I’ll always apply a coloured ground. However, it’s not essential, you can of course start painting onto the white canvas straight away but it makes it harder for your eyes to judge tone.

      When deciding which colour to paint the ground it all depends on the colours you are drawn to or the mood you are trying to create. The ground colour could be a hot pink, a muted grey or even black. Try a few test pieces on some paper, you might find that you personally prefer a white base, or discover a colour that suits your style perfectly.

      Hope this helps,
      Will

  21. Jamie Brady

    Hi Will,

    I’ve recently started painting – the thought never even enter my mind until 5 or 6 weeks ago!

    I have only just discovered your webpage and I am so glad that I have.

    At present I am teaching myself but am considering going to night school to learn how to paint with acrylics. It’s probably a good idea and to also meet ‘fellow’ artists!

    Just one question about the pre-primed canavases. They seem very rough and almost pixelated by the squares formed from the weave. Will grounding or re-priming the canvas help to to reduce the rough and effect causing brush strokes to deviate and cause unpredictable and frustrating results? I hope that makes sense.

    Thanks again, Will. Take care and keep up the great work!

    Jamie

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Jamie,

      Great to hear you have just discovered the joys of painting!
      Your question makes perfect sense, essentially the smoother the surface, the more realistic the style of painting.

      If you prefer a very realist approach a very fine canvas with minimal weave (or a prepared board that can be sanded to a flat surface) would be the best option.

      If you want a bit more movement and impressionist technique in your work a medium grain canvas is best.

      Grounding and re-priming the canvas will take away the weave, however, the weave is key to help to pull the paint from the brush and create a broken texture in your marks.

      Hope this helps to answer your question,

      Thanks,
      Will

  22. saran

    Hey Will,
    I am absolute amateur and was wondering how to do the background when I found this!! truly amazing…really really helpful.
    thanks a ton :)

    1. Will Kemp

      Cheers Saran,

      Really pleased you read it at just the right time,

      Will

  23. Alexia K.

    Hello! I was just wondering, do we really have to unwrap the canvas if it’s prepared? If so, why and do we have to put it back on?

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Alexia,
      You just have to unwrap the canvas from the cellophane, you don’t have to take it off the stretcher bars.

      Cheers,
      Will

  24. Noel Touchette

    Thanks for the tips Will. I have always used gesso + a color to color my canvases. I find this gives a good but dull (or soft) background. I am going to try some of your tips on my next batch of canvas, I’ll try and remember to comment on it again..Thanks.. Noel

  25. Pete Brooks

    Hi Will, just decided to get out the paint and brushes and do something I should not have stopped. And an inspiring start to it all by finding your website. First one I have clicked on, and good to know that others have searched and found a good one in yours. I am up for taking the short cuts sometimes. Obviously as usual money key to it all. Natural ability gets you so far, but knowledge and understanding gets you sooooo much further on in developing your talents. So, here’s to hopefully a productive relationship with your gifts and abilities inspiring and developing mine. Am jumping in the deep end a bit, feeling inspired to do a night, sea scape picture with the moon and cloud. Any tips. Bless you . pete

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Pete,
      Really pleased you hit upon the site, great to hear you’re getting out the brushes again.

      One of the first places to start with your scene would be using this very technique. Use a darker coloured ground (Prussian blue or Ultramarine blue dulled down with a touch of Burnt umber) and you’ll have a great base to start your painting. Looking forward to helping refresh your painitng skills!!

      Cheers,
      Will

      1. Pete Brooks

        Hi will. I am beginning a sunrise (as in just breaking) over a rough sea acrylic painting, what would you recommend for a ground? and where can I see some of your work. Do you have an on-line gallery?
        Bless you
        Pete B

        1. Will Kemp

          Hi Pete, for a sunrise the yellow ochre can work really well, as it can give you some lovely oranges in the sky. I currently don’t have an online gallery of my works, I sell my original paintings through Whitewall Galleries in the UK.

          Cheers,
          Will

          1. Pete Brooks

            Hi Will, many thanks for the advice and info on your paintings.
            Bless you
            pete

          2. Will Kemp

            You’re welcome Pete,
            Will

  26. Asia B

    Hello Will,
    I am an 11 year old trying to start painting. I was searching the internet and looking for ways to paint my pictures when i came across your site. Do you have any tips on how to paint a pre-drawn pencil picture with acrylic paint? Please reply because I am afraid of messing up. Thank you for the wonderful site and keep up the AMAZING work you do.

    Asia

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Asia,

      Pleased to hear you’re enjoying the articles. I start almost all my paintings with a simple pencil line drawing, just have a look at any of the free tutorials and you’ll see how they look. Make sure there isn’t too much pencil on the picture as it can mix in with the paints and grey them down.

      Good luck with your painting!

      Cheers,
      Will

  27. Alli

    Hi, I am absolutely amateur and was wondring how to get started, and when i found out this, it really help me alot. Thanks

    1. Will Kemp

      You’re welcome Alli, pleased it helped you to get started.

      Cheers,
      Will

  28. Briana

    Hi,
    First off let me say wow! I’m so glad I found this site! I have been painting on the side and occasionally selling my stuff for the past 15 years. My family is very artisty so I always get a lot of tips from them. But there are times were I just don’t know what to paint! I love painting in fine details and when ever I want to start another painting I have anxiety.

    I just never seem to know what to paint. And I wish I could just start wth a blank canvas and just paint and not pick up a pencil and draw it on the canvas? how do I overcome the fear of just putting the brush down and relax and not go into fine details???

    What do you suggest I do?

    Also, I use acrylic mediums so it drys fast which tends to dry extremely fast.

    Which is better? A retarder golden acrylic?

    One more question! :)

    Do you have a book out? If you don’t I think it would be a great idea!! Like a book on everything you need to know about being a painting :)

    Thanks so much!

    -Briana

    1. Will Kemp

      Hey Briana,

      Glad to hear you’re enjoying the website. To answer your questions:

      I wish I could just start with a blank canvas and just paint and not pick up a pencil and draw it on the canvas?

      It sounds like you want to ‘free up’ your painting style with a much more gestural, impressionistic approach. One of the most challenging yet effective ways to accomplish this is to paint outside.
      Even if landscapes aren’t your thing, trying to paint a moving cloud or moving branches, forces you to look at the essential elements of a scene, rather than getting hooked up on the details.

      If this sounds too bigger leap, find the biggest brush you’ve got, set a timer for 30 minutes and complete a painting in that time with the large brush.

      You might find this article on Is the devil in the detail? interesting also.

      Which is better? A retarder golden acrylic?

      A retarder will help to slightly slow the drying time, personally I use Acrylic Glazing Liquid gloss most of the time because it is more flexible in its uses.

      Do you have a book out?

      No, not at the moment but I’ll keep on writing articles on the blog until then!

      Hope this helps,

      Will

  29. Benita Misplon

    Hi Will
    I am currently writing a novel using a painter as my main character. Thank You for all your info that I am researching at present. Have done some water color painting and would try the acrylic route next. Your info helps a lot. Regards from Franschhoek South Africa
    Benita

    1. Will Kemp

      Hey Benita,

      Good luck with your novel, enjoy experimenting with acrylics!

      Cheers,

      Will

  30. Laurene Stolz

    I just started painting, though I’ve bitten off a little more than I can chew by choosing for my first project “The Reader” by Fragonard. So wished I knew about canvas prep before I painted her face and dress- its not bad for a beginner, especially considering that I’ve obviously have been cluelessly working backwards, but I really want to thank you for your tips on mixing flesh tones (and now also on canvas prep for my next project (Poppy Field in Argenteuil by Monet)). Your easy-to-follow videos have been an immeasurable help. As a new subscriber to your website, I look forward to reading all of your advice and, moreover, watching all of your vidoes to help be become a decent painter. Thank you!

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Laurene, thanks very much. Great to hear the videos are helping you to become a better painter! Using a tonal ground can really help.

      Cheers,
      Will

  31. Judy

    Hi Will,

    Thank you for your amazing website! This is just what I’ve been looking for. Your choice of topics is superb. You have selected the topics that really make a positive difference to painting and go on to demonstrate them in a very easy to understand and entertaining way.

    Above all thanks also for explaining the use of grounds from the start – it’s so important! Too many books and art classes I attended left this vital step out. In some cases I applied grounds to build up a “glow” in the painting and didn’t understand why these pics worked and other paintings didn’t. At last I attended a course at an art academy where they explained grounds on the first day and my whole painting approach got turned upside down. This was good but also came as a shock!

    I still have a burning question left over from my pre-ground days, though. I like to paint buildings and it’s important to me to get the perspective right and for the lines to look convincing. If I draw on the canvas directly, it’s easy to correct lines. But if I then apply a ground, I can’t see my lines anymore. If I draw on a ground and want to adjust pencil lines, I find my pencil slips around and I smudge things and it ends up in a mess. I’m not at a level where I can draw freehand and a building is recognisable as such! So, I tend to draw on grounds only if I’m drawing organic shapes like trees and flowers or where accuracy is not an issue. What do you think?

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Judy,

      Thanks for your kind comments, glad the articles are just what you’re looking for.

      To answer your question on coloured ground:

      There is a fine line between having your ground too thick or thin.
      If it’s too thick the paint (acrylics) will form a plastic resist, making it hard to for the pencil to make a mark, or at least one you can easily see.
      If it’s too thin, you can see too much of the white pre-primed canvas showing through.

      What you can do is dilute the paint with water, add in a few drops of acrylic flow release. This will break the surface tension of the paint and give you more of a stain effect, keeping the tooth of the canvas yet giving you an nice opaque colour to work on.

      You could also try Stabilo special pencil that doesn’t smudge and can be used on plastic, metal and glass so even if you work on a thicker ground, you will still be able to see your lines.

      They also come in a light colour, so if you’re working on a darker ground, can be very handy.

      Hope this helps,

      Will

      1. Judy

        Thanks Will,

        Some sound advice, I’ll give it a go!

        Judy

  32. Theresa

    Absolutely LOVE your site!!!! Thank you.

    1. Will Kemp

      Thanks Theresa,

      Really kind of you to say so. Enjoy the articles,

      Will

  33. Stacy

    After I do the yellow ochre base color, should I draw the basic lines over the yellow before I actually start painting with my acrylics or will the drawing show through? What would you suggest drawing with? I have hear a hard pencil, soft pencil, chalk, or even not to draw on the painting at all. What would you suggest. I am painting a bright colored picture of a sailboat with blue sky and blue water. Thanks for any help you can offer!

  34. ana

    oh some site……………..i just love your Art School……its very helpful……

    1. Will Kemp

      Thanks Ana, pleased to hear your finding the tutorials helpful.

      Cheers,
      Will

  35. Munish Pundir

    i am an aspiring artist. I have been doing drawing , sketch for last one year and has improved consistently with time.
    Using colour has always been difficult for me because i couldnt get the right colour tone at first place, so dropped the idea. After learning few of your articles, got the confidence and now i believe until i try it myself, my color sense would never improve.

    I would request you to provide guidance over finding one’s own artistic style and what recommendations you give artist to develop his own signature style.

    Regards

    Munish Pundir

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Munish,

      Great to hear from you and pleased to hear you’ve found the confidence to give colour a go.

      Thanks for the suggestion for an article about artists finding their artistic style, I’ll put it on the list.

      Cheers,

      Will

  36. Lesley Chilvers

    I am so happy to have discovered your easy, straightforward approach to teaching art. I have learnt mostly from mistakes along the way, ha ha, as reading most art books or tutorials is painful. Your style is delightful as is your work, loving it….Thank you :) Lesley

    1. Will Kemp

      Thanks very much Lesley, really pleased you’re finding the tutorials helpful in your painting.

      Cheers,
      Will

  37. christoph

    hello will,
    You’re ARTicle helped me a lot.I am a visual artist teacher here in the philippines and I learned so much from your tips. Sad to note that my students have no enough materials for oils and acrylics- too expensive. Anyway, I just want to acknowledge you’re good and informative site. Congratz!

    christoph

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Christoph, nice to hear from you. Really pleased you’ve been finding the articles helpful in teaching your students.

      Thanks again,

      Will

  38. sophie

    Hi will :)
    I am painting a large canvas of an owls eyes and the picture is going to be mainly dark blues and blacks .. would you recommend painting it a light gray colour first ?

    Thanks :D

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Sophie, you could go for a light grey and that would work, but if you have a good quality white I would be tempted to paint the canvas black, then you can paint the owls eyes ontop.

      Cheers,
      Will

  39. George Wehbe

    Hi Will,

    I was reading your post on applying colored ground on white canvas, can I use Oil base for applying the ground color or it is better to have the acrylic as a base, the painting will be oil.

    Regards
    George

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi George,

      Yes you can use oil for the coloured ground, it just depends what colour.

      You need to use an oil that is relatively fast drying so any of the umbers, raw umber, burnt umber etc are a good choice. Just apply them with some odourless mineral spirit.

      If you are mixing the colour with white then use a fast drying alkyd white rather than a standard white, as titanium white is a slow drying oil paint.

      Cheers,
      Will

      P.s if you have a look at the portrait pdf I talk through the different white options available.

  40. Darren

    Hi,
    This site is brilliant, I love drawing and would really love to expand my knowledge into painting I have started one already, but recently I saw a video of a man using spray paint, another thing I would love to learn, what kind of surface would you recommend and any tips would be good.
    Thanks.

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Darren, thanks, pleased to hear you’re enjoying it.

      You can get acrylic spray paints from Liquitex ( who have recently just launched acrylic markers) and with acrylics you can paint on pretty much any surface, from paper, to canvas, metal etc.

      Applying gesso gives a smoother surface to paint onto, here’s an article on it.

      Cheers,
      Will

  41. Hope

    ha! “The number one mistake all beginners make is buying a pre-stretched canvas or canvas board from a discount book store and not unwrapping it.”

    Guilty!

  42. Taffy Kale

    Hi I loved this video. I am just beginning painting, and when I watched this I right away tried it. Now, Thanks to you I can paint.

    Taffy

    1. Will Kemp

      Cheers Taffy, pleased to hear it helped with your painting breakthrough!

      Will

  43. Cindy

    Hi Will,
    I LOVE your online “classes.” I am a hairdresser, and as you said, we do know how to rectify a bad color situation. I have taken 3 art classes at our local college, but have never learned anything like the things you share. I jumped into my first painting class, never having held a brush before. You give such good elementary lessons on choosing paints, brushes, etc., and how to even start a painting. I had no idea how to begin using a canvas, or what colors to begin with, so I bought anything that caught my eye or felt good in my hand. Consequently, I have tons of paints, brushes, and paper, waiting for me to use them. Now, I can be more confident choosing the right ones, thanks to you! Unfortunately, our college doesn’t see art as an important part of their curriculum, so I welcome you into my home via the internet.

    Cindy

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Cindy,

      Nice to hear from you and thanks for your kind comments. So pleased you’ve been enjoying the lessons and as a hairdresser you’ll pick up colour mixing in no time!
      Enjoy putting all those materials into practice, these free acrylic lessons are a great starting point.
      Cheers,
      Will

  44. Tanya

    Hi Will,

    This website is fantastic! I wish I had come across it sooner! I have started a painting using acrylic paints and unfortunately I did not know about the prepared canvas technique….I noticed when i hold it up against the light of a window you can see streaks/appears see-through in spots… I’m assuming it’s because I didn’t prepare the canvas first. If only I had read this post last week! :) Wondering if there is any way to fix this, other than starting over with a prepared canvas?

    Thanks!!
    Tanya

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Tanya, pleased you’re enjoying the website. The only thing you can really do is apply thicker paint to cover over the see-through spots. However, it might not be as bad as you think, because the painting will be displayed on a wall you won’t have that strong back light to the piece so you might just get away with it!

      Cheers,
      Will

  45. kel

    hi will , i’ve just started painting in acrylics which i’ve never done before and i’m always undecided what to paint got myself some decent brushes and i love your videos and advice many thanx kel

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Kel,

      Thanks very much! Sometimes just getting started with one painting is the hardest step to do.

      Let me know how you get on with the tutorials,

      Cheers,

      Will

  46. melanie

    is yellow ochre the only colour ground you use or are there other colours that work well? great site too and thank you.

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Melanie, I don’t just use the yellow ochre, but most of the ground colours come from earth colours. So burnt umber or raw umber, often mixed with white. If you look at the start of the free cherry tutorial I show the difference in warm and cool between the raw umber & burnt umber mix.

      Cheers,
      Will

  47. nimlin abdu

    Hello ..

    i hav been painting a lot.. but never hav gon for any classes rather than my school’s art period… i was stuck with oil painting for long and now started with acrylics..i was happy to see your site after checking lots of videos in youtube.. finally found a good one..thank you! the thing is i start to paint patiently but somehow in the middle get a feeling its started took ugly ..and end up spoiling it most of the time..fun time ends soon for me..i would love to paint at ease rather than worrying so much..i have “basics” acrylics..is it good enough?.

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Nimlin,

      You’ll find with most paintings they go through that ‘ugly’ stage ,so don’t get too discouraged!

      The ‘basics acrylic’ paints are o.k to start with just invest in an Artist quality white, you might be interested in this article on the differences between the two.

      Cheers,

      Will

  48. Samara

    hi .. thanks for the great advice i had a query though..my painting has different elements in it..major one being fire..with lot of orange and yellow and red. and there’s back and brown and gold too…So what ground color should i use? And also could you give some tips on how to go about painting a face on canvas?? Thanks!

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Samara,

      A coloured ground is always best if it’s a mid tone, so not too dark or not too light.

      Also, not too bright, and not too dull. This way when you add your darkest darks and your lightest lights you can judge the tonal effects of the painting, and judge your colours to the ground.

      So for your painting a muted orange/red would be a good start.

      For a classical oil portrait painting technique have a look a this series of tutorials.

      Cheers,
      Will

  49. Moniel

    Hi Will,
    I am just a beginner at painting. I wanted to know what should i start with like landscape portraits sill life etc. and this site of yours is very useful thanx a lot for creating such a site.

  50. Margaret

    Thanks, Wil. I have used coloured grounds with my acrylic and oil paintings. I use Raw Siena or Yellow Ochre. I didn’t know that I should start on the edges, so I have learned something new today. Thanks. I enjoy reading and learning from you.

    1. Will Kemp

      Cheers Margaret, pleased you enjoyed the demo. Painting the edges is a personal preferencw of mine as you can then continue the scene around the edge. This can work particularly well with box canvases as it feels like the scene continues on.

      Will

  51. Josh

    My brush just doesn’t seem to be picking up the paint. It takes me ages to cover the white little spaces on the canvas. Plus I’m mixing the colour, and so I have to use A LOT of paint just for the coloured ground. Any advice?

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Josh,

      Have you got the consistency of the paint right?

      As I apply it pretty watery and shouldn’t take a lot of pigment to cover a canvas for the coloured ground stage,

      Cheers,

      Will

  52. Jen

    Dear will. You are a top bloke. You share your great knowledge. You have a generous spirit as well as being a great artist. Thank you loads.

    1. Will Kemp

      You’re welcome Jen, very kind of you to say so!

      Will

  53. Robert

    Hello,
    Great site, thanks for making it. I am using student grade acrylic paints. A lot of them are very transparent, like the yellows. If I use a colored ground of yellow ochre or burnt umber for example, when I put a stroke of yellow over it the transparency of the paint will show the yellow ochre or burnt umber through it instead of the white of the canvas board or canvas, and will then be a lot darker because of it. Doesn’t something like a transparent or semi-transparent yellow or red paint need to be painted over a white surface to have maximum brightness?

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Robert,

      Yes, you might come into this issue with student grade paints. The pigment load (especially in the yellows) can be transparent compared with an artist quality alternative.

      If you have a artist quality titanium white mixed with the yellows it will help to add to the opacity.

      In oil painting and acrylics you can also paint onto a white surface to achieve these effects but it takes practice.

      For example, the Pre-Raphaelites painted onto a white ground for applying thin transparent glazes to the face.
      This keeps the luminosity of transparent pigments (As a result of the light going through the transparent pigment and reflected off the white primer) and to make use of the transparent nature of the paints, however, If they made a mistake they did not paint over the area but scraped back to the primer and started again.

      So yes, if you have a specific painting that you want a maximum brightest from a transparent yellow then go with a white, but trying an artist quality yellow might just transform the technique when painting on a coloured ground.

      Hope this helps,

      Will

      1. Robert

        Hello,
        Yes, the transparency of student grade paints is hard to work with. I can’t just cover over mistakes or make changes real easily with a semi-opaque paint. For example, if I was painting a lemon on a black table and I painted the black over the outline of the lemon by accident, I couldn’t use the yellow paint to cover over the black and regain the contour of the lemon. It would be too transparent and I would see the black through it no matter how much yellow I put over it. So, that means I would have to carefully paint the black around the outline and make sure to not cross over it. But that goes against all the advice I’ve heard from books like Harold Speed’s and many others that say to paint boldly and not be afraid of covering up outlines. But I can’t paint like that with semi-opaque colors if I want to have the contours accurate. Is it the professional technique taught in the art academies to only boldly paint over outlines when the paints to be used for that part of the painting are opaque enough to regain the contours?

        1. Will Kemp

          Hi Robert,

          You just need to try an artist quality yellow that is an opaque yellow, Cadmium yellow would be your best choice.

          Because you’re trying to cover black, you’d still might need a couple of coats, but it will enable you to paint in the traditional technique.

          Below are the comments from another student who was having the same issues with his student quality yellow and these were his results after using an artist quality paint.

          The results:

          “So, last weekend I gave my new pro cadmium yellow a try…and it worked like a charm! I must say…I’m a bit surprised in the quality of the paint…not only did it cover much better…but it was a lot nicer to apply. I also had to apply “novice” orange over black….and it wasn’t working…so I put a layer of the new “pro” yellow on…and then orange over the yellow…and voila…it worked. Wow…time to replace my “novice” paint with “pro” paint. What I find a bit odd is that for a novice…the “novice” paint was/is harder to work with….you’d kind of think it should be the other way around. Very happy Will…thanks so much.”

          Hope this helps,
          Cheers,
          Will

          1. Robert

            Hello.
            Thanks a lot for clearing that up. I bought some artist quality cadmium yellow and you were right. It is much more opaque than I thought it would be and it easily covers over a prepared canvas. Thanks again for making this site and the youtube channel, they are a real help. Take care.

          2. Will Kemp

            Good one Robert, pleased you had success with the cadmium yellow.

            Cheers,
            Will

  54. Terry Mellway

    Hi Will,

    Just found all these delicious articles and I’m making it part of my to-do list to read one completely each day as there is so much, it’s overwhelming but I just read through this one and I’m wondering why you use water to mix with your paint to prepare your colored ground as opposed to using say a gloss medium since water if too much is added tends to break down the binder of the paint and also dulls it due to the refractive quality of the water in the paint.

    Terry

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Terry,

      I use water for exactly those reasons, I want a dull matt surface so the next layers of paint grab onto it. If a gloss medium was used it can give you a slippy surface to paint onto.
      Sometimes just using the water will make the paint pool in little droplets, if this is the case just add a few drops of ‘acrylic flow release’ and this will help break the surface tension.

      Cheers,
      Will

  55. Shona

    Hi Will

    I absolutely love your site. Now approaching my fifties, I’ve only just begun to properly indulge in my love of painting and drawing – I was forbidden from doing art at school because sciences (which I failed) were apparently ‘more useful’. They probably would be to a scientist, but to someone who just needs to be creative art might have been the better choice ;-)

    Anyway, quick question – forgive me if you have already answered this in your long thread above – I have painted my canvas with yellow ochre (artists) the consistency of custard. I’m wondering if my custard might be thicker than yours because it really looks quite ‘bold’. Will this truly work as a ground for any painting? I was thinking of painting a German Shepherd (dog, not human hahaha), but if I wanted to do a portrait would the same ground also work? I saw your umber/white ground on your self portrait and it looked amazing but much more natural than the yellow ochre.

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Shona,

      Nice to hear from you, the yellow ochre is a great colour for bright landscapes and townscapes, you can then adapt the colour of the ground depending on the subject you are painting – A more subtle colour for a portrait or a brighter colour for an abstract.

      Yellow ochre is just a handy starting point.

      The consistency should be more single cream than custard, you’re trying to stain the canvas surface so you still have some tooth of the canvas to work with.

      Hope this helps.

      Will

      1. Shona

        That’s very helpful, thanks! I think I accidentally went for clotted rather than single cream.

  56. Nialldooley

    Hi

    I’m planning to make quite a large painting on a large square of free canvas rolled out on the ground.

    I’m using a roll of preprimed basic canvas..
    So my query is as i’d like to thicken it out with extra primer of some sort, making it stronger yet quiet malleable to roll.

    I would like to make this light enough canvas almost weighed and aged by the application kind of like the feeling of an old wax jacket. It doesn’t necessarily have to be a oil finish, as im not sure if im going to be using oil or acrylic yet.

    Im planning to paint on the ground in public and it will take a lot time to finish so ill be rolling it up and out many times, taking it out and bring home everyday, therefore these extras layers will make the large sheet of canvas just more substantial as in durable also.

    If anyone gets the kind of feel for how i want to process this pretty flimsy large rectangle of canvas, before i take it on to the street then Please let me know what i should do, or any suggestions would be appreciated greatly thanks.

    Regards from Berlin,

    Niall D.

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Niall,

      It’s quite tricky to get that flexibility with a light canvas as often the pre-primed primer used can make it brittle, depending on manufacturer.

      In an ideal world I would start with raw unprimed canvas about 12oz in weight. This will give you a good mix of flexibility and durability, then if you’re working with acrylics rather than oils will also give you a greater level of flexibility in the piece.

      Sorry this doesn’t help with your current canvas but it’s hard to make a thin brittle canvas thicker and more flexible by adding mediums to the surface.

      Cheers,
      Will

  57. sarina

    I love the net just for the fact that I can learn from people like you.
    Generous and every things explained so simply.
    Thank you

    1. Will Kemp

      Thanks Sarina, kind of you to say so.

      Cheers,
      Will

  58. dianna

    Here goes nothing…..and i do mean nothing. I used to draw people ages ago and have never painted but i have a canvas in the other room and plan on painting on it? Tomorrow? I told you here goes nothing. So glad you are here and i found this!

    1. Will Kemp

      Go for it Dianna! The canvas in the other room deserves to make it to the easel. Good luck with your first painting!

      Cheers,

      Will

      1. dianna

        Speaking of which….i have not had an easel for quite some time. Used a chair to prop up canvas. Okay its a rather large canvas 18 x 24 inches. Uh, i have large aspirations? Went to the store twice today. Bought wrong paint. Ugh. Will i be able to cover inadequate paint?

        1. Will Kemp

          Hi Dianna, if you have artist quality paint you will be able to cover over pretty much any paint underneath, with student grade paint (especially in the yellows) it can take a lot of layers to achieve the same level of opacity.

          Cheers,
          Will

          1. dianna

            How did you know i was using yellow? My experience with my firsr painting has been very interesting. I washed clothes in between paints. Now i know why artists just splash water on their face in the morning….so they can go paint while the lighting is good. And i feel more whole. Signing up for your drawing class next week.

          2. Will Kemp

            Artists Intuition!! Enjoy experimenting with painting and see you on the drawing class!

            Cheers,
            Will

  59. Cathy Dimacali

    Great tips for someone who hasn’t tried landscape, still life and portraits with acrylics. I have only tried watercolor portrait painting. I want my paintings to be more vibrant, as I find acrylic easier to work with.

  60. Mamta

    Hi Will,
    Yours is a really great Site!! I am a beginner in painting. recently have started trying one stroke painting ( I am at a below beginner level I think :( ).. tried to paint an iris directly on canvas (which i bought in Michaels – its pre-primed).. My strokes were good but it didnt create the richness of colour on the canvas and looked pretty neat on simple white paper. In the above video, in materials tab – you have mentioned water, which I couldnt understand where to use. Did you apply water to canvas before that yellow ochre? If I want to paint on white background, Can I apply water on canvas first and then start directly painting a flower?

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Mamta,

      I mix the yellow ochre in with the water so the mix is more like a ‘single cream’ consistency. This was the colour stains the canvas without loosing the canvas tooth.

      Cheers,
      Will

      1. Mamta

        Thanks Will :) !!! I tried it and wowww the strokes were so smooth.. Really thank you very much….

        1. Will Kemp

          Good one Mamtu, pleased it helped.

          Cheers,
          Will

  61. Bob Sherman

    If the subject of my painting is going to consist of a range of light browns (going from, say, between raw sienna to yellow ochre to titanium white), would you suggest starting out with a ground color from the opposite side of the color wheel, like something in the blue/blue-violet range?

    My subject is one of my dogs that passed a little over a year ago. She was a yellow labrador. I’ve already done a study of what I want in pencil to map out shading and contours, as well as various blends of color and brush stroke combinations to get a feel for painting her fur… was about to start out on a stark white canvas until I came across your page here and I must say I’m glad I did — it seems like quite a valuable piece of information.

    Thanks!
    -Bob

  62. Gloria

    Will, Just got done viewing your making greens video. Very helpful! Thank you
    Cheers!

  63. sashi

    Hi Will,
    This is a great tip! I’m about to start an abstract oli painting on a canvas (36″ x 36″) and have a large area of ivory white backgroud..with slight coloured streaks.. What ground colour would you recommend to use?

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Sashi,

      Have a look at this article which looks at some of the different ground colours you can use and why to choose them.

      Cheers,

      Will

  64. sheersha

    hi i just wanted to know 2 things i will be thankful if you help

    i have painted few black lines on one of my new white canvases but i don’t like them any more.can i repaint over them with white acrylic to start again fresh?will they hide?how many coats do you think are enough?the background of my painting is white.

    also for white background paintings do you suggest its good to have ground of yellow ochre or something.or is it ok to start painting after it is prepared?

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Sheersha,

      If you’ve got artist quality titanium white you will be able to cover the black lines with 2 or 3 coats. With student quality paints it will take much more longer to cover the black, but will still work.

      You can paint onto a white surface, but a coloured ground can help with so many areas of your painting success.
      Have a look at this article on choosing a coloured ground colour for your painting.

      Cheers,
      Will

      1. Saran

        Hi will, what if we just gesso it again instead of covering with white? Doesn’t the white acyrlic paint then interfere with the absorption of other colours on canvas? Doesn’t it look like it has been painted all on top then?

        1. Will Kemp

          Hi Saran, for this technique you cover the white with a colour, rather than working on the white canvas.

          Cheers,
          Will

  65. Rika

    Thanks for your advice, I’m still a beginner and I don’t actually quite understand some things, it’s not your fault, it’s mine because I didn’t study well enough understand painting language.

    Well I have some questions, I actually put some acrylic white paint on my canvas, do think it will help me paint well?

    My second question is, I actually samesandpaper and I was wondering if 150grits will work?

    My last question is if I just take out my canvas and start painting on it, will anything bad happen to my painting?
    Thanks.

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Rika,

      150 grit sandpaper is fine, if you’ve started your painting onto a white canvas nothing bad will happen to, it will just make it harder for you to judge colours and tones if you’re trying to create a realistic painting.

      Hope this helps,

      Will

      1. Rika

        Thank you

  66. Moody

    I have a question..how can I avoid glossy effect of acrylic color?

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Moody, acrylics don’t usually dry glossy but if you want a super matte finish, just apply a matte varnish to your painting once its finished.

      Cheers,
      Will

  67. Arthi

    Hi Will,

    I am a beginner, looking to do my “own” acrylic painting. I say “own” because I have done several kit-based, copy-from-masters type of paintings that turned out pretty good, so I was emboldened to try something more original. I stumbled upon your site when trying to figure out what materials I need to start out.

    “The number one mistake all beginners make is buying a pre-stretched canvas or canvas board from a discount book store and not unwrapping it.”
    My question is: if I were to buy a ‘traditional canvas’ from an art supply store, would that be pre-stretched and/or pre-primed or should I somehow unwrap it from the wooden frame and prep it with gesso?

    Sorry if this sounds naive, but I’m confused and would really appreciate your help.

    Thanks,
    Arthi.

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Arthi,

      Brilliant news that you’re starting with acrylic painting.

      “The number one mistake all beginners make is buying a pre-stretched canvas or canvas board from a discount book store and not unwrapping it.”

      This comments is a bit tongue in cheek and all I meant was that students often buy new canvases that are wrapped in cellophane with the best intentions to start painting but they end up just letting them get dusty on the floor as often the first brush marks are the hardest!

      If you were to buy a ‘traditional canvas’ from an art supply store, that is pre-stretched onto the bars, and is white – this would have been pre-primed with Gesso, so you’re ready to paint onto it straightaway.

      If you were to buy a ‘traditional canvas’ from an art supply store, that is pre-stretched onto the bars, but is not white, more of a natural canvas colour, you don’t need to unwrap it from the bars to Gesso it yourself, you just need to apply the gesso directly to the stretched surface.

      This article on applying Gesso may help,

      Cheers,

      Will

  68. naveet

    Hi Will,
    Your site is very helpful for people like us who wants to dabble in colors , and your pic has good positive vibes, which is infectitious.
    A question : you mentioned in response to a question about framing .. could you please elaborate it..
    Thanks
    navneet

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Naveet, really please you’ve been finding the colour tutorials helpful,

      Cheers,
      Will

  69. Judy

    Hi Will,
    i really admire your tutorials but i have a question, i draw alot of geometric elements in my paintings and i usually have to use markers to have them come out really sharp, but at the end the texture of the marker is very different form the acrylic and it’s very obvious in sunlight , how can i avoid that?

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Judy, really pleased you’ve been enjoying the painting tutorials. You have a couple of options to change the finished texture with the marker:

      1) Apply an isolation coat to the finished painting to give you a solid, even sheen.

      2) Use an acrylic marker, such as these from >Liquitex, which will allow you to draw your geometric elements with actual acrylic paint so you won’t have any of the textural issues.

      Hope this helps,

      Cheers,

      Will

  70. Syazana Izzati Faridon

    hello..i would like to know the toned ground colour for black and white painting..this is my first time using a canvas and acrylics..thank you.. :)

  71. Brigitte

    Hi Will,

    I am thoroughly enjoying your tutorials. I am a beginner in acrylics and would like to know, if you can thin the Golden Fluids acrylics like yellow ochre or raw umber, etc. with water for priming your canvas. What would the ratio be? In your tutorial video you are priming quite a small canvas, but when you are putting a ground on a 48″x48″ (or larger) canvas, that will take a lot of paint and would cost me too much. I am a pensioner.
    Please continue the wonderful painting tips
    Thanks so much,
    Brigitte

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Brigitte,

      So pleased you’re enjoying the tutorials, yes you can dilute the fluid acrylics with water, this will make the best mix, so it soaks into the canvas a bit, and creates an opaque yet thin covering of the canvas.

      I would try this technique on a 12 x 12 or 10 x 10inch canvas first amd experiment with the painting process.

      Hope this helps,

      Will

      1. Brigitte

        Thanks so much for this, you are so very helpful. Could I also mix a bit of the Golden Fluid Acrylics or even Heavy Body Acrylics with Acrylic gesso and use that as a ground?
        Thanks again.
        Brigitte

        Could I also

        1. Will Kemp

          Hi Brigitte,

          Yes you could mix it in with the acrylic gesso and use it as a ground, but you’ll find sometimes you lose the ‘glow’ of the yellow. When you have a white base to start with, let it dry, and then paint on the thin coat of the yellow ochre, the yellow ochre will appear a brighter yellow, due to the white under it.

          Try a couple of small swatches, one mixed in with the gesso, one without and see which tone you prefer.

          Cheers,
          Will

  72. cynthia

    I really need a grey color on a canvas. You said that grey will look black. How do I get a grey back-ground?

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Cynthia, optically a grey can ‘appear’ black when painted onto white, as apposed to painting a grey onto black. To get a grey background just use a black and white or a raw umber and white.

      Hope this helps,
      Will

  73. Brenda

    Hi Will,
    Your site is awesome! Can you recommend the best way to attach heavy objects to canvas? I have attached many items with some strong glues but I am attaching a bike and am looking for suggestions. I enjoy working with abstract art.
    Thanks :)

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Brenda, thanks for your kind comments on the site.

      When you said heavy objects, I wasn’t quite imagining a bike! The best way would be to actually attach it to the wooden frame structure of your canvas, but by doing this you would also have to go through the actual canvas surface to attach to the frame and this might not be the look you’re after.

      The other method would be to actually ‘sew’ the bike onto by weaving through the canvas using thin metal wire. This would help to spread the weight, and you could also glue at the same time.

      Hope this helps,

      Will

      1. Brenda

        Will,
        Thanks for the advice !! I can’t wait to try this :)
        Brenda

  74. Grace

    Will,
    I had never heard of this technique, but after trying it out I can really see the difference! At first I was a bit nervous since I typically paint in blues, but the overall quality of my work is so much better now. I just wanted to say thanks for sharing this tip with the rest of us and I am so glad I found it!
    -Grace

    1. Will Kemp

      Good one grace, really pleased you gave a coloured ground a go and got some good results!

      Thanks for letting me know.

      Cheers,
      Will

  75. zunaira ajmal

    i feel great viewing your tips i am a fine art student starting learning oil paint techniques after water colour pastel charcoal and pencil work etc etc .. please guide me more with your upcoming updates

    1. Will Kemp

      Pleased you’re finding the site helpful learning oil painting techniques Zunaira.

      Cheers,
      Will

  76. Sheryl

    Everything I paint looks like I am looking down on it. How can I correct this. I painted a seascape and the boat doesn’t look right.
    Just found your website and am enjoying it so much.

    Thanks so much,
    Sheryl

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Sheryl, pleased you’ve been enjoying the website, the ‘looking down’ on a subject is a common issue and stems from perspective drawing, to correct the feeling is to do with checking the angles on your initial drawing.

      Cheers,
      Will

  77. Linda

    Just about to start putting paint on the canvas for the first time. Really nervous.
    Really enjoying your website Will, it is encouraging ….. But still nervous I will make a mess of it all.

    Linda

    1. Will Kemp

      Hey Linda, go for it! the great thing about painting with acrylics is you can easily paint over your painting if it all goes wrong, pleased you’re feeling encouraged to face the fear and the canvas.

      Cheers,
      Will

  78. Martha Berger

    Hi Will Kemp
    Interesting site., thanks for providing it.
    I have been trying to paint in oils. Find acrylic dries much, much faster but has not the gloss/sheen of oils. However, I would like to get away from brushes because of the cleaning agent and use palette knives. Tried it on boards, as I am not sure whether or not I cut the canvas. Not easy to use, but like to persevere. Any hints? Did not see all your promotions. Just found this site, Also am a bit old (80) and not exactly computer literate.
    Thanks for hints!!
    Regards Martha

  79. Mehar

    I use the same technique Will….but I’m doubtful whether it goes with every painting.

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Mehar,

      Nice to hear from you, using a coloured ground can work really well when you’re first beginning painting to achieve great results and understand the principles of how painting works, as you’ve mentioned you also use the same technique.

      I say at the top of the article I use it in 99% of my work, so yes there are some occasions when using a white ground can be the best choice. See this How to paint glass demonstration for an example. However, I’ve found as a teaching method for transforming a beginners learning curve to painting, the coloured ground technique is hard to beat.

      Cheers,
      Will

  80. Ron

    Hi Will,
    I have drawn off and on through the years a little but I have just begun to paint. I started a couple of months ago using acrylics. I am 65 but I have found it is never too late to start. Have paintings of both my pups already. Your online info has been very helpful to me. I have no training and it has been a great help. Thanks for making this information available online. I hope to keep learning!

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Ron,

      Really pleased to hear you’ve been finding the tutorials helpful in developing your acrylic painting techniques, 65 sound like the perfect time to start!

      Cheers,
      Will

      1. Ron

        Is there a video that you have prepared to show how to blend colors together. At this point my lines are a little too precise. Any info would certainly be helpful. Thanks in advance!

        1. Will Kemp

          Hi Ron, Nice to hear from you, I don’t have a any specific ‘how to blend colours’ videos, you might find this video helpful.

          Cheers,
          Will

  81. Diane Green

    Dear Will Kemp,
    I am 78 years old and worked w/Oils 30+ years ago. I did Stil life, Secenery and some portraits. In between I had to stop with my Art because a ran a very successful business for 30 years! Now, that I am a retired lady I found it difficult to go back to my ART days I had loss so much so here ……
    “I am seeking… I am striving…. I am in it with all my heart.” Vincent van Gogh……
    Your Art school has open the door for me a second time! Thanks to you & your school I am returning to what I love most! . Pablo Picasso said it: “Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.” Thank you!

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Diane, so pleased to hear you’ve been inspired with your art again and you have been finding the website helpful.

      Thanks again.

      Will

  82. Sarah

    Hey Will,
    I read about your technique and I’m wondering if you would also use this if you will be painting something that is white. Let’s say the entire picture has some pretty dark tones but there is this one spot that is entirely white. If you first painted the entire picture with a dark color, would you still be able to paint over it with white?

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Sarah, yes you can still use this technique for white objects, if you used an opaque white such as titanium white you will be able to completely cover the colours underneath. It can be harder to achieve with student grade paints as they aren’t as opaque as artist quality, but the white is a really good investment in your painting.

      Cheers,
      Will

  83. Alee

    I’m wanting to start painting and I’m just confused about what to use. I ultimately want to paint chunky abstract pieces. Maybe even more palette knife types of pieces. Would oils or acrylics be better for this? Also, I am confused about which preparation to do. Do I need to apply a gesso as well as a toned ground? And does that differ for acrylics and oils? As I’m just starting out, I’ve just bought art store pre stretched canvases.

    Any suggestions on anything (techniques, paint brands, etc.) would be very helpful!

    Thanks!

  84. Nick

    Hi Will. I was a passionate art student too MANY years ago seeking to tap into ancient talent. That said….. If I am painting water and it’s reflections from underneath or from above, would I still use a yellow ochre acrylic for my toned ground? Logic (left brain) tells me to use a pthalo green or a cerulian blue for a background. Am I out to lunch or should I have started with breakfast first? Meaning, am I being too ambitious to start out? I keep seeing (imagining) the surface of transparent water, or looking up at the sun from deep in clear water, with the suns rays filtering down. I tend to take big risks by the seat of my pants. Of course when I look at my large canvas I freeze (like so many) I was so confident leading up to stretching and preparing my canvas… and now a total whimp..LOL

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Nick,

      Nice to hear from, sounds like you’re thinking along the right lines, more like out for brunch!

      You can vary the coloured ground colour depending on the subject you’re looking at, and the mood/feel you’re after.

      The yellow ochre is a bit like white canvas shock tactics, because it feels so ‘wrong’

      This article looks at art studio wall colours, but the same principles apply.

      Try to image you can peel back layers of the image/scene you’re looking at until you find a colour that ties it all in together and then go for that and hopefully that confidence in the perfect ground colour will come through in your painting!

      Cheers,
      Will

  85. Bharti

    Hello Will,

    I am a beginner and found your site to be helpful in providing basics to start painting on canvas.

    I have a pre-stretched canvas and student oil paints. I am confused if I need to tone my canvas as youv’e described in the video.

    Thanks
    Bharti

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Bharti, you can use this technique with oil paints but it will take longer for the ground colour to dry, try using an earth pigment that dries quickly.

      Cheers,
      Will

  86. Leaira

    Hi Will,
    I’m a beginner in acrylics I still don’t know much, can I ask what you mean by the ground color, what is the ground color, I heard some people mention it, but I’ve been wondering what it was. Thanks Will

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Leaira,

      The ‘ground colour’ is short for ‘background colour’ and describes the colour you paint your canvas before commencing the painting. You can re-gesso, but you’ll loose some of the qualities of the canvas surface.

      Cheers,
      Will

      1. Leaira

        Thanks Will, I’m always thankful for your advice:)

  87. Jeanne

    Hi! Thanks for a great site. I paint with acrylics on stretched canvas. I have a favorite canvas I use – it is not one of the better name brands but it works for my technique which is basically “fat over lean”. I recently ran out of canvas and while waiting for my order to arrive I bought a canvas locally. It was nicely made however the grain was coarser than I like. When I began painting on it I was aghast as it would not accept my paint very well at all. It almost repelled it. I laid my first application of paint and after it dried I came in with more paint to work in attempting to make it more opaque and it lifted the first application and I had bare spots on the canvas. I played a bit more with it and became more and more frustrated until I finally decided to stop. I just could not get it to work for me. I have had this problem with several better brand canvases on the market. Is it the gesso they use or the texture of the canvas? I tried applying my own gesso over it and it still was stubborn and would not accept my paint. I have no problem with the “cheaper” canvas I usually use. Thanks for listening to my rambling! :-) Jeanne

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Jeanne,

      Some canvas manufacturers apply a thin coat of lacquer after they applied the Gesso which helps to protect the surface when shipping/transporting etc. So good for shipping, not so good for painting!

      A good test to try it just add a few droplets of water onto the surface of the canvas and see if it soaks in or if the droplet just stays in a droplet form on top of the surface.

      If the droplet stays in a droplet form what you can do you is mix in a few drops of ‘Acrylic flow release‘ to your acrylics, this will help to break the surface tension in the paint and give it a more staining effect.

      This can be very handy for those first layers of paint just to give a grab to the next layers ontop. Hope this helps Jeanne,

      Cheers,
      Will

      1. Jeanne

        Thank you Will!! I appreciate your reply. I will test out the canvas with water and see what happens. I’ll also try the flow release which I’m pretty sure I have on hand. Thanks for your suggestions. Happy New Year! Jeanne

        1. Will Kemp

          You’re welcome Jeanne, Happy New Year!

  88. Jaqueline+Freidberg

    It is our point of reference in our life frequently changes our viewpoint. Sometimes good and sometimes this change is bad but it is our viewpoint that influences how we feel.

  89. angela

    Hi im trying to paint a bright and colorful huge flower i wanted a dark background to help the colors pop but im nervous to do the base dark any suggestionss. i was going to do the yellow u suggested on the page but i only have primary yellow?? i dont want to put eggplant as the background and waste a canvas.any advice would be helpful thanks

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Angela,

      If you want to achieve the warm yellow ochre feel you can just mix a more muted yellow using the primary yellow as your base colour, it doesn’t have to be straight from the tube.

      Cheers,
      Will

  90. Jacqui

    Got given 7 large canvasses 2 years ago they’ve been sat in my office. So glad I discovered this site my 6 year old and I raring to go!

    1. Will Kemp

      Great to hear it Jacqui, enjoy the lessons!

      Cheers,
      Will

  91. Baiba

    Hey,

    Love your website.

    I am getting into portrait painting in oils. What colour etc. would you recommend for the background?

    Kind regards,

    Baiba.

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Baiba, it all depends on the sitter, but I often go for a mix of raw umber and white so it is nice and neutral.

      Cheers,
      Will

      1. Baiba Auria

        How does it depend on them? Skin tones? Clothing? What is your favourite medium for oils? And what do you use to thicken them? Lots of questions, I know :)

        1. Will Kemp

          Hi Baiba,

          Yes, that’s right, depending on the skin tone, clothes in the portrait etc determines the best choice of coloured ground to work with. I don’t add any mediums into the oils to thicken them, but usually use a mix of turpentine, linseed oil and dammar varnish depending on which layer I’m working on.

          Cheers Will

  92. Emma Thompson

    Hello and thank you Will – really helpful website.

    I’ve just managed to use an entire 20ml tube of ochre to colour my canvas! I was using it neat – no water. It was difficult to get much coverage out of it – wouldn’t spread nicely. I’ve since guessed I should have watered it down. I’ve now done so and it looks fine but what (if any) will this have on my painting?

    Many thanks,

    Emma.

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Emma,

      Yes, that’s right, diluting the paint with water to a milk/single cream consistency is best for applying the first layer, its more like a stain effect onto the canvas.

      The thick paint won’t damage your painting at all but subsequent layers will be harder to ‘grab’ onto the surface as the thicker acrylic paint would have created a more shiny surface.

      Cheers,
      Will

      1. Emma Thompson

        Thanks Will – first lesson learned. Thanks for your time.

        1. Will Kemp

          We’ve all been there Emma! hope the painting turns out well.
          Cheers,
          Will

  93. Chloe

    Hi I’ve just joined and I have leard so much by watch such few videos. Thank you for the great tips and information, I hope to use it soon. I was looking for good paints that I can aford and wondered if the Brand REEVES has good quality paints and brushes. Thanks if you can reply.

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Chloe, please you’ve been enjoying the videos. Reeves paints are okay, but they haven’t got the best ‘pigment load’. So I would invest in a tube of artist quality titanium white, this will help to create opaque mixes.

      Cheers,

      Will

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi De,

      Yes, working on a wooden panel with a colour ground is exactly same as working on a canvas. I would prepare the wooden panel with a couple of coats of artist acrylic gesso and then paint the colour ground on top. For a brighter pallette just use brighter colour grounds that complements the colour scheme you’re after.

      For the clean blocks of colour in the images you linked to you wouldn’t need a coloured ground, as they are such clean colours, separate from each other. For this you can paint straight onto the white gesso.

      Hope this helps,

      Cheers,

      Will

  94. Jane Anderson

    Will, You have some mighty fine information on your website. I was looking for a way to make a porch floor that it doesn’t look like it is going down hill. I work with acrylics. Jane

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Jane, pleased you’re enjoying the website, to make the floor look realistic will be due to the perspective drawing of the piece, try drawing a small line sketch of the floor, when it lloks correct in a line drawing it will work like a charm in your painting.

      Cheers,

      Will

  95. Lynn Hirst

    Hi Will, I am a rank beginner, guilty of buying diverse art materials/paints , pastels etc over 5 years ago and never setting aside the time from a very busy work life, to allow the creative urge room to grow. I now have the time, and do not know where to start, and found your web site! The first blank canvas is a bit scary. I want to try an acrylic painting first.
    I too have made the mistake of putting as neat acrylic (ochre) ground onto my first small/medium sized canvas after being too eager/impatient to start, as I did not have the golden acrylic or flow release.
    Can anything be salvaged from this first canvas/can I use it at all?

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Lynn, yes you will still be able to paint ontop of the canvas, it can 100% be salvaged. For future paintings you can just dilute your paint with water to get the right consistency.

      Hope this helps,

      Will

  96. Tony Kalemba

    Hi Will,
    I definitely use coloured backgrounds on my canvases before I start painting. i use earthy tones for landscapes and blue-greys for paintings with mostly sky in them. I also find acrylic painted back grounds better than Gesso.

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Tony, pleased you find them helpful in your paintings,
      Cheers,
      Will

  97. Jackie Allen

    I love it when you pop into my inbox…..you keep everything so simple and I love your hand in hand videos

    1. Will Kemp

      Thanks Jackie, pleased you enjoyed it,
      Cheers,
      Will

  98. Robert

    Hi Will,

    Great tips. I would like to share one I discovered and now use to great effect. It was used by the great Venetian artist Titian. For people he frequently used a green underpainting, then applied flesh tones on top. I mix burnt umber and liquibn for overall underpainting then Indian yellow and ultramarine for the underpainting in human skin. Then I mix titanium white, and burnt sienna for skin tone, adding dabs of blue or red as appropriate. This works brilliantly and yields the complicated sub-surface scattering that makes skin tones so vibrant in good painting. This I do in oils but I imagine it will work in acrylic.

    1. Will Kemp

      Thanks for sharing Robert on your use of a Verdaccio underpainting. You might find this article of interest.

      Cheers,
      Will

      1. Baiba Auria

        Finding this conversation with Robert very interesting. Going to try this myself. Thank you

  99. sheila

    thanks Will, i do leave my canvases white but I can see the basecoat works really well. I am about to do a garden, flowery painting so I thought light blue of green would work well. Hope so , thanks again, I enjoy the tips etc x

    1. Will Kemp

      Good one Sheila, the garden scene sounds like the perfect painting to try a coloured ground on. Hope you enjoy the results.

      Cheers,
      Will

  100. Tania

    Thank you Will for a great article and the helpful tips! I just painted the sky on the gessoed canvas and can see ugly white patches. So I need to paint it again. Wouldn’t have this problem on the coloured canvas.

    1. Will Kemp

      That’s it Tania, even with a very subtle colour as your base colour it can make the actual painting process so much quicker. Enjoy experimenting with different colours!

      Cheers,

      Will

  101. Tamara Torres

    Thanks you Will for all your help!!

    Tamara.

    1. Will Kemp

      You’re welcome Tamara, hope you’re keeping well.
      Cheers,
      Will

  102. John TSANG

    Hi Will, thank you for a brilliant teaching site, excellent. I brought some Liquitex airbrush medium to dilute acrylic paints for putting on coloured grounds. Is this better than using water? Are you going to make available more lessons working towards a finished painting. I have purchased a lesson from your site and found it really good. Kind regards, John

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi John, thanks for your kind words about the site and pleased you enjoyed the lesson you purchased.

      In terms of using the medium with the acrylics, it’s a matter of preference and dependent on the actual brand and consistency of the acrylic paints you’re using.

      For example, I usually create my coloured grounds using a fluid acrylic from Golden paints (I show some in the video at around 2min 50sec) which have already been thinned with an acrylic medium in the factory so don’t need any extra medium.

      I demonstrate with a heavy body paint as it’s the most common used when you’re first starting. If the mix is getting very watery then a squirt of medium will help to keep a good structure to the paint, but it’s by no means essential.

      For later thin applications of paint (glazes) I use an Acrylic Glazing medium, but don’t at this early stage as I want to keep a nice absorbent surface for the next layers.

      Hope this helps (and makes sense!)

      Cheers,

      Will

  103. Carrie

    Thank you so much Will for sharing such good information!

    1. Will Kemp

      You’re welcome Carrie, hope it helps.

      Cheers,
      Will

  104. Isaura Xavier de Campos

    Thanks Will this tip was most useful, though I don’t paint in acrylics, but Ibelieve I can underpaint a white canvas for oil painting with acrylics too. Keep sharing your secrets with us. They’re priceless.

    1. Will Kemp

      Yes that’s right Isaura, just thin it with water so you have an absorbent surface for the oil to ‘grab’ onto.

      Cheers,
      Will

  105. Glenda

    Thank you so much for these tips and instruction. Easey to follow! Look forward to more videos and tips! Thanks again, Glenda

    1. Will Kemp

      Good one Glenda, pleased you’ve found it helpful.

      Cheers,
      Will

  106. Cate

    Hi Will,
    I’ve being trying different surfaces to paint on, I purchased a pad of canvas paper, but how do you use it?
    I painted an underground colour, then when it dried the canvas paper had rolled up so tight it was useless.
    I prefer to use the prepared stretch canvas, but I am finding the price of framing way too expensive, so now using smaller boards.
    Many thanks

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Cate, different surfaces will behave differently depending on the amount of water/thickness of the layer of paint you apply. With this particular technique if you apply a watery layer and are working on paper you need to keep it on the pad so the actual glueing holds it down, or treat the paper like water colour paper and tape the paper down before applying the coloured ground. Watercolour paper can work well with this technique as well.

      Cheers,

      Will

  107. Kathy Coffman

    Hi, Will,
    Thanks again for the ground lesson. I sure appreciate it. Have a lovely day. Kathy

    1. Will Kemp

      Thanks Kathy, pleased it helped.
      Will

  108. Cathy Horvitz

    Greetings Will,

    Thank you so very much for making this new video on “coloured ground”! I have been waiting for it. I am a very new beginner and this video motivates me to get busy painting. I appreciate your style of instruction. Your voice is so calm and reassuring. You take the panic out of painting!! You rock!!!!!

    Cathy

    1. Will Kemp

      Thanks Cathy, very kind of you to say so, pleased you enjoyed the lesson.

      Cheers,

      Will

  109. Chris

    Hi Will
    Thanks for the update on colour backgrounds, still experimenting with it.
    Have a quick question for seascapes would it be best to use a pale green or blue as a colour ground for acrylics.
    Thanks again for the inspiration you give to us all
    Chris

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Chris, it depends on the blue you’re after, if you’re working with a Phthalo blue, turquoise colour having a soft glow of yellow underneath can really help to bring life into the scene. If the yellow ochre seems a bit ‘raw’ just add in a touch of titanium white to make a colour closer to a naples yellow.

      Hope this helps,

      Will

      1. Chris

        Will
        Thanks for your advice, your experience and skills are much appreciated as always will let you know how it turns out
        Chris

  110. Dominique Carrie

    Hi Will

    I am new in painting. I tried to have the yellow ocre on my canvas. Using Liquitex it is very difficult because the ocre is always visible under my colors.

    Dominique

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Dominique, you need to make sure you are working with a good quality titanium white, which is an opaque white, so will help when covering over the ground colour.

      Cheers,
      Will

  111. Jeanne

    Hi Will! I wonder if you can help. . . Several years back I purchased an acrylic painting that looked very “evenly” matte. I have written the artist and she disclosed that she does not use anything but water to thin her acrylics and says she starts out painting very “lean”. She does not varnish the finished painting. When I finish a painting it has both matte and shiny areas. I would much rather it have a look that is overall matte. Her painting looks almost “powdery-flat-matte” but has a VERY pretty, consistent look. I have tried so many paints, both very good quality down to craft quality to try and achieve the same look. I wrote this artist again asking her what paints she uses and I didn’t get a specific answer only that “she uses any paint that crosses her path”. :-) I wonder if you can weigh in on this. What do you suppose is causing this effect that seems to be out of reach for me. I figure if this artist can achieve this look, then I can too. :-) I just wish I knew how. Thanks for a great site!

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Jeanne, hope you’re keeping well.

      To achieve an even matte finish, you first need to apply a gloss ‘isolation coat’ this gives an even sheen to the surface and gives you a better surface to apply the matte varnish onto. It seems counter-intuitive but it will give you the best results.

      Then you can apply a matte varnish to the isolation coat. Here is an article on varnishing an acrylic painting. and you will have a lovely soft, even matte finish to your works.

      Cheers,

      Will

      1. Jeanne

        Will, thank you for your fast reply. I can’t wait to read this!! You are a gem!!! Have a great day!

  112. Eduardo R. de la Cruz

    Thanks, Will. I always appreciate the information/gems you kindly share.

    1. Will Kemp

      Cheers Eduardo, you’re welcome.

      Will

  113. Coralie

    Hi Will
    Many thanks for your generosity in sharing such a richness of information. I have been painting for several years but still consider myself a relative beginner, so your website is invaluable to my efforts.
    My question today is what would be the best colour to tone my canvas for a predawn beach/water scene where all the colours will be cool.
    This painting is my first effort in oils although I think the principle remains the same.
    My scene has beach sand (silver), water (soft blueish grey), sky with all the colours of predawn (deeper grey/blue/purple at the zenith with beginnings of pink and gold at the horizon) and figures in the foreground (flesh and pale clothing). It’s a simple idea but the elements are confusing me in deciding the best undertone. In the early predawn even the sand is silvery grey and my first thought was to use a pale warm golden yellow to give an underlying warmth to the painting overall. Would this be best, or do you think a warmer pinkish / purple would give a better effect? I’m vacillating – please help :-)

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Coralie, it depends on the feeling you’re after with the painting, having a subtle glow of warmth through either a muted pink or warm golden yellow would work well. With oils if you are mixing a tone with white use a ‘quick dry Alkyd white’ as standard titanium white is too slow drying for this first layer.

      Good luck with your painting.

      Cheers,

      Will

  114. Aen

    Good day Sir Will Kemp, I wanted to know if your techniques and lessons here also works or is applicable to oil painting. I’ a self-taught painter and I study painting mostly and only on the internet. I happen to crash into your online class and I find it really really helpful. But I wanted to venture more on oil painting. I hope to hear from you Sir soon! Heaps of thanks

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Aen, the painting techniques stem from a classical oil painting approach, so as long as you use fast drying oil paints for the coloured ground (or dilute the paint with mineral spirits) you’ll be away!

      Cheers,
      Will

  115. Zoe

    This was really helpful, far more helpful than my lecturers at college who throw some paints and a canvas at you and expect you to know what you’re doing. I have little to no experience with acrylic paint or canvases and have to produce some artwork for an exhibition soon and I found this really helpful. I would have had no idea to put a coloured background down, which made everything a lot easier! Thank you.

    1. Will Kemp

      So pleased you found it helpful Zoe, good luck with your exhibition.

      Cheers,

      Will

  116. Lu States

    of all the sites, and tutorials, yours just hit home with everything i hope to do. thank you beyond belief ! i want to do still lifes, and i have a quick question for you, if i may. i have several paintings ” started “, where they are mostly wash, a little more, but just starting. i painted directly on to white canvas, and want to correct that NOW ! is it possible, without bailing on what i have started with these 6 ” starters “, to add background now, maybe with a much lighter ” wash ” over what i have started ? it is pretty bass-akward i realize, but i really don’t want to start from absolute scratch as i have invested time and need to finish some to sell ( to friends first ), but realize my mistake right away ! do you think this is possible, not ideal, but maybe okay for these 6 ? i intend to take courses now ” before ” starting, so i learn before my mistakes….

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Lu,

      Thanks for your kind words. Yes it is absolutely possible to apply a more watery wash over the paintings as they and to tone down the white and continue on with your paintings. The results will be slightly different due to the opacity of the wash, but the principles will remain the same.

      Cheers,

      Will

      1. Lu States

        thank you, thank ! waited, hoping for a reply….off to get some fluid yellow ochre for these particular ” starts “, and since i just got my paints out of storage and some are not in great shape, am filling in with your very basic list on the ones that have dried out. perfect timing to have found your tutorials …. they are the best ! cheers to you, lu

        1. Will Kemp

          You’re welcome Lu, pleased you’re finding them helpful. Good luck with your paintings.

          Cheers,

          Will

  117. Drishika Gala

    Thank you! I am just a beginner and wanted to learn canvas painting. I think your site is the best I’ve found online so far! Your tutorials were really a blessing :)

    1. Will Kemp

      Kind of you to say so Drishika, pleased you’ve been finding them helpful.

      Cheers,

      Will

  118. Safie

    Hey Will,

    Thank you for those lessons, I’ve been an artist at school and I really wanted to learn more and this helps me alot especially in this field of the arts. I hope you could send me a few of those tutorials and maybe I can ask you a few questions about it. By the way, I’m from Philippines and there’s no golden paints available here, can I buy them online?

    Thank you for those tutorials….It really did help me :)))))

  119. Susanna

    Hi Will: just stumbled upon your site and Wow — what a wonderful resource! I’m just starting out and missing lots of the basics, like how to choose/prep a canvass, how to mix colours, etc., etc. I was envisioning having to take several courses to get a grasp of the basics, but I think your excellent tutorials are just what I need. Also appreciate the wealth of ‘free’ information that you are generously providing.

    Cheers,
    Susanna

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Susanna, pleased you’re finding the articles and videos helpful.

      Cheers,
      Will

  120. Lisa

    I’m certain that with some additional searching I’d be able to find the answer to this question, but I’m curious about prepping a canvas for watercolour painting. I do not have formal experience with visual arts, but I am attempting to get students interested in painting. I’ve read so many conflicting instructions on how to prep for watercolour, that I’m starting to lose my way. Any tips?

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Lisa, you will always get the best results using watercolour paper, due to the absorbency of the surface in comparison to working with watercolours on standard canvas.

      You can prep standard canvas to work with watercolour but I would advise to apply a couple of coats of ‘Golden absorbent ground’ This will give the canvas surface more absorbency and work more like watercolour paper.

      You can also buy some specialist canvas designed specifically for watercolour, such as the Fredrix watercolour canvas.

      You can read more about watercolour papers here. And a brief overview of using Golden ground with watercolours here.

      Hope this helps,

      Will

  121. Caroline Kershaw

    Hi Will,

    I found your videos on YouTube when was looking for a beginners introduction to acrylic paint. I found them really inspiring and watched them all up!

    I bought a galleria starter box (believing that they are a slightly better grade of student quality paints than some of the others out there) and intend to get some artist quality titanium white (as per your advise) as soon as one of the shop around here get it in stock.

    I am now about to paint the 10″x10″ sunset from your tutorial.
    I bought some yellow ochre to do my coloured ground. It was not included in the set I bought, so I got a large tube, thinking I would get through it.

    I bought mine from a brand called Reeves. I am regretting not getting a better quality paint now as it is proving a rather glossy mix and seems to be rather waterproof so that my burnt umber headland has not stuck to it very well. It is all rather shiny and I am having to put my top colour on in layers. It not that the top colour is transparent so much as that it won’t stick to the coloured ground very well.

    I am only practising so it doesn’t really matter. I will get some better quality paint as you have advised numerous times! I am wondering whether I should just carry on to with my current coloured ground, try to paint over the whole lot with a better quality yellow ochre, or just start with a new canvas.

    Please can you tell me which coloured glazes you were talking about going at the end of this particular tutorial? I have read everything on your website about glazes, gels, mediums, varnish etc, but wondered what you did for this particular one.

    Thank you for making it so easy and fun for me to get started with acrylics. I have done some pencil sketches of a lovely view across some Devon fields near my house which I would love to try to paint during my upcoming week off. I feel empowered to do it now that your videos have given me some more confidence.

    Cheers,

    Caroline

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Caroline, so pleased you’ve been enjoying the lessons, I didn’t paint any glazes on the landscape painting, it was just a note on how I would approach it if I wanted a more realistic effect. The coloured used would have been to bring more vibrancy and warmth to the scene.

      Cheers,
      Will

  122. Marty

    I thoroughly enjoy your approach to acrylic painting, Will, and your instruction is most helpful.

    By chance, have you done any instruction in to the different kinds of acrylic additives and how they work, and the effect they have on finished paintings? I know you occasionally introduce them into whatever study you are working on, but I was wondering if you have something a bit more comprehensive on this topic.

    Thanks again for your inspiring classes ! Thanks.

  123. Mica Matos

    thank you for the advise. I’m an amateur, who has been painting on and off for about 10 years. I have no formal training, and ironically, I have always colored my canvases first. I always found it to be easier to build on….and when I can find a good bargain, I purchase canvas that has already been colored. I’m currently OBSESSED with black canvas.

    1. Will Kemp

      Good one Mica, pleased you’re having success with the black gessoed canvas.
      Cheers,
      Will

  124. laurie

    Hi Will,
    great stuff, are u on instagram (the photo app) -?

    1. Will Kemp

      Thanks Laurie, I’m not currently on Instagram, I’m #oldschool!
      Cheers,
      Will

  125. Christelle

    As a beginner, is it safe if we go for yellow ochre on all types of painting whether it be landscape, portrait abstract and etc?

    1. Will Kemp

      More landscape/still lifes/abstract work well with the yellow ochre, you’ll see in the video a more muted colour for portraits.
      Cheers,
      Will

  126. Mini Joshi

    I have been painting for quite some time but I didn’t know how to prepare the canvas. You told about it so we’ll and easily that it worked very well and now I am doing that way and the painting is very impressive. Thanks a lot Will.

    1. Will Kemp

      Great one Mini, so pleased you found the technique helpful.
      Cheers,
      Will

  127. Alecx

    I stumbled upon this blog as it will be my first time painting on a canvas. I’d like to say, your blog is amazing! Spot on! It got me to read more of your other blog entries. So here’s the thing; I’ve tried painting before, but only on special papers and a few illustration boards. And I was really used to watercolour as it is easy to play with its opacity and intensity.
    I decided to try acrylic painting on canvas, and so I bought a small one that has been primed with acrylic gesso. I was nervous because when I touched the sides, it got dirty despite having clean hands. So I was thinking whether I should paint the whole canvas first with one colour or not. Would you please help me? Because I see my subject with more whites than other colour. I’m about to paint a half of a face facing towards a light, focusing on the eyes (still debating whether it’d be in a coloured or black and white). So should I paint my canvas first in one colour? Or do I start a light sketch and then paint?

    ..Also, in general with regards to acrylic painting on canvas, would it be better to draw in pencil first? Or paint the canvas in one colour, then sketch?

    Thank you for taking time to answer your readers’ questions though we think you’re busy and all.
    May God bless you and more power!


    Alexandra.

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Alexandra,

      The choice is yours depending on the result you’re after, I always recommend a coloured ground to start with because it can help in so many areas of your painting. The best way to see how I approach it is to follow one of the free tutorials, hope you find them helpful.

      Cheers,
      Will

      1. Alecx

        Thank you very much Mr. Kemp! Your blogs are very helpful to many :-)
        Have a great day!

  128. Caitlyn

    hi im doing an art assignment and i have to create an Andy Warhol inspired artwork. What colour would i use for the toned ground?
    And could you give me tips to make it look really good.
    Pretty Please
    thanks

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Caitlyn, you wouldn’t need a coloured ground for a Andy Warhol inspired artwork because many of it was based on flat, screen print colours, so wouldn’t ever have a coloured ground showing through.

      Cheers,
      Will

      1. Caitlyn

        thanks will

  129. Manos Veisakis

    Hi Will ! I love your videos but i’m new at painting and i would like to know if i must use first primer and then paint background colour.

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Manos, if you’re using acrylics and the canvas is white, it already has an acrylic primer on it, so you are ready to paint.

      Cheers,
      Will

  130. Sunny

    Hi Will,
    What a treat for us to have you just giving away your precious knowledge.
    Thank you. I have a question about colored grounds. I am starting a painting of a single white flower; the background will be charcoal. The outer petals are looser from the rest and are translucent and so they have a dark, shady look, even though you will know they are white. The center of the flower is tighter and appears more creamy-almost yellow. Is it possible to block in different colored grounds, knowing what layers will go on next?
    Sincerely, Sunny

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Sunny, yes you can use different coloured grounds but usually you would choose a general tone or colour most suited to the style and mood of the piece.

      Cheers,
      Will

  131. chloe

    Hello! You really seem to know your stuff! I’m currently stuck on what/how to do a landscape inspired piece. When you say to use yellow orche for the coloured ground, do you let that dry before painting over the top? We are doing the topic ‘landscape’ at school and it is due 6 weeks from now. I want to do abstract, arcylic paint on a massive canvas… however, need to do way more practise with ‘abstract’, I’m no good! Any tips?

    Chloe

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Chloe, yes, you leave the background to dry first before painting on top. All abstraction is based on reality, so find a landscape scene you like and then remove elements from it one at a time until it is abstracted.

      Cheers,
      Will

  132. Vivian

    Hello Mr. Kemp,
    Thank you for your great advice, input, tutorials, etc.
    I’m a beginning artist and they have been of great help!
    One quick question please. You indicate that one of the mistakes beginners make is not to unwrap the cellophane from new canvases. I purchased a large canvas because it was 40% off and therefore a great price even though It’ll probably be at least one month before I will use it. If I shouldn’t remove the wrapping to protect it until then, what do you suggest?
    Also, I can only store it laying flat/horizontally is this ok?
    Thank you very much for your help in advance.
    Vivian

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Vivian, hope you’re keeping well, the comment on not removing the cellophane from the canvas was a bit ‘tongue in cheek’ – as in, many beginners buy a new canvas, and leave it wrapped and never actually get to the painting stage. For storage it is best kept in the cellophane wrap.

      Cheers,
      Will

      1. Baiba Auria

        The cellophane wrapped canvas conversation just made my day – hilarious. I must admit it was on my mind on and off too since I saw the comment ages ago – does the canvas implode if left wrapped?… Or perhaps it gets posessed by bad art demon? :)

  133. GRETA

    Inspiring – coming from water-colour I was using paints too thin – now have
    confidence to have a go. Thanks.

  134. Tracy

    Wonderful information on your whole site! I have been using gesso to prime my canvases but think I might try your tip of color grounding.

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Tracy, pleased you’ve been enjoying the tutorials, coloured ground can make a big difference in bringing all the colours together, hope you have good fun experimenting.
      Cheers,
      Will

  135. chris davis

    Will: I stumbled on your website — what an awesome resource. I’ve just begun my painting journey at the ripe old age of 49 :-). I’m an engineer by training and have now discovered how much I love to create art. I didn’t think it was possible, but a little patience, practice, and great insight from a true teacher and professional like yourself has been such a blessing! Thanks for all you do to share your gifts!

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Chris, great to hear from you and thanks for your kind comments, so pleased you’re finding the lessons and tutorials helpful on your journey into painting!
      Cheers,
      Will

  136. Elyse Thoms

    Hey, I have recently started on an acrylic painting and I’ve painted the background with acrylic paint already, and now I wanna try oil painting instead. I wanted to know if there was anyway to correct it so that I can paint with oil instead?

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Elyse, if the acrylic painting is quite thin you can paint the oil paint straight ontop.
      Hope this helps,

      Cheers,
      Will

  137. Amy

    Hie Will,
    Thanks for sharing all of what you have mentioned her. I’m new to canvas painting. M trying to learn it by myself and this site has been very helpful. I would love to know more about the basics. What will u suggest I do?
    Thank you.

  138. Brenda Watson

    Hi Will,
    I first want to THANK YOU for your videos and lessons on here. They have been extremely helpful in my work. I had my first art show it went great. I had no idea what to expect but the gallery was easy to work with and helpful to a new artist like me. My question is where do I go from here? Keep trying to do shows in other galleries, website (which I have but not successful) I love to paint and I’m not trying to make a living off it because I work many hours at my job however it is nice to make some room in the house by selling some paintings. Do artist continually do shows?

    Thank You
    Brenda

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Brenda, thanks for your kind comments on the tutorials, in terms of selling works there isn’t a one sized fits all answer as it can vary greatly depending on your style of work, time commitments etc. Shows and exhibitions are a direct route to clients and are great thing to get your work seen to a wider market.
      Cheers,
      Will

  139. Eugene Mussche

    Thank you Will, brilliant videos, very well explained. Congratulations
    Eugene

    1. Will Kemp

      Thanks Eugene, really pleased you’re finding them helpful.
      Cheers,
      Will

  140. JP

    Thx Will!
    You confirmed my newbie suspicions that these store-bought white canvasses are not really good to paint straight out the wrapper! Appreciate u sharing your knowledge…

    JP in SoCal

    1. Will Kemp

      You’re welcome JP, hope it helps your paintings.
      Will

  141. Kathy

    Hi Will,
    Really love your site. Thanks for sharing you expertees. I have always loved to draw and paint since childhood, and now retired have the time to indulge. I have a question? Can I paint over old painted canvases? The ones pre- stretched From art/ craft stores or do I just need to dispose of them?
    Thank you so much for you kind help and wonderful site.

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Kathy, yes you can paint over them, aslong as the mediums match, so acrylic over acrylics and oils over oils.
      Cheers,
      Will

      1. Robert

        I’m curious about one thing, Wil. If canvasses are primed with acrylic, won’t oil over acrylic also work?

        1. Will Kemp

          Hi Robert, yes you can paint oil over acrylic, just not acrylic over oil.
          Cheers,
          Will

  142. Kim Oke

    Hi, I live in rural Australia and we have a total lack of any kind of paint classes. Thank you for stepping onto the internet so those of us disadvantaged by location can still learn and be happy.

    I prefer to paint in oils. Could I use this method of toned background to start an oil? Also can I use acrylic to make the toned background or would it be best to used a thinned down oil?

    Many thanks for your time.

    Kim

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Kim, pleased you’ve been enjoying the lessons. Yes, either method would work, thinned down oil and then left overnight or acrylic. As long as the acrylic is applied quite thinly so the oil paint can still adhere to the canvas.
      Hope this helps,

      Cheers,
      Will

  143. Andrea

    Thank you Will! I would never have known to do this had I not come across this blog. I would have wasted lots of money of paint and would have been frustrated in the process. I’ve found all your posts and tips to be very helpful! I now refer here regularly.

    1. Will Kemp

      Really pleased it has helped with your paintings Andrea,
      Cheers,
      Will

  144. Haneen

    Hi will, thanks a lot for the very useful website, I have one question for ya : what do you think about using ( airbrush medium or glossy medium ) instead of water to mix will the acrylic colors , I’ve heard that the painting will last longer if you don’t mix the colors with water , and it’s one of the biggest mistakes that artist are doing !!! What do you think about that ??

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Haneen, yes it can be good to use mediums when working with thinner layers of paint in the later stages of your painting so you retain a solid paint film.
      Cheers,
      Will

  145. Kim Oke

    Hi Will

    Just a quick question, without going into a huge amount of colour theory, how do you choose what coloured ground to use in a landscape or seascape? Is it a matter (of a beginning) artist just trying different things out and seeing how they work or is there a rule of thumb that can be used as a guide when trying to decide on the colour to use?

    Many thanks for your time.

    Kim

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Kim, it’s often due to the mood you’re trying to create or choosing a colour that brings all the tones together. Just like choosing a wall colour at home, the paint colours will provide the brighter accents but you need a more muted harmonious tone underneath to bring them all together. You might find this article of interest, just change the studio wall colour for the coloured ground colour.
      Hope this helps,

      Cheers,
      Will

  146. Faye Araya

    I am a real beginner and am so grateful to find you on u tube. I so want to be able to paint but am finding it hard to know just what I would like to start with.
    Thank you so much for you sharing your skills and willingness to teach, I am looking forward to starting .
    Cheers

    1. Will Kemp

      You’re welcome Faye, pleased you’ve been finding the lessons helpful.
      Will

  147. Erin Strait

    Hello

    I am just starting painting and your website is extremely helpful. so, Thank you so much! I do have a question for you though-Should I prime the canvas as well as use a tonal ground?

    Erin

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Erin, most canvas you purchase from the art store will already be primed so you can go straight on with the coloured ground.
      Cheers,
      Will

  148. Anne

    Hi Will,

    I just discovered your site. Great information! An earlier post asked a question about painting over old painted canvases. My question is this. How do you prep the canvas? Do you just use the coloured ground colour or do you prime it first with gesso?

    Thanks so much
    Anne

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Anne, if you are working over an existing painting I would apply gesso first and then the tonal ground.
      Cheers,
      Will

  149. Fred

    Hi Will!

    I have a huge urge to start painting but just can’t seem to get going. I always get diverted for whatever reason.
    To become a good painter, how much time to I need to devote to the craft.

    I think that this Website is really helpful.

    Fred

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Fred, it’s hard to give a definitive timeframe as all artists have different working practices, but many of these free painting tutorials on the site can be completed in a couple of hours. They only use a few colours, so you can just get going without getting distracted. Hope you find them helpful.
      Cheers,
      Will

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