Don’t be afraid to cover ART with new paint
Redoing an acrylic painting on canvas can be a fun way to refresh your artwork! Here’s how to effectively paint over an existing canvas.
Materials Needed:
Acrylic paint (in your desired colors)
Gesso (highly suggested, for a smoother surface)
Palette and palette knife
Paintbrushes and/or sponges
Water container
Cloth or paper towels
Plastic wrap (optional, for preventing drying out of paints in open containers in between applications)
Steps to Repaint on Canvas:
Original Canvas: The frame is taped off in this photo as prep work for the gesso
Assess the Original Painting:
Look at the existing artwork to determine if you want to cover it completely or incorporate some elements into your new design. I wanted an altogether different color scheme. So I knew I was going in full application with gesso cover.
Clean the Canvas:
Wipe down the canvas with a damp cloth to remove dust or debris. Allow it to dry.
Preparation:
Gesso: Apply a layer of gesso to the canvas. This will create a fresh, white surface and improve paint adhesion. Let it dry completely.
Sketch Your Design (optional):
Lightly sketch your new design with a pencil or chalk if you want a guide for your painting.
In my case, I did not sketch as it is abstract free form.
Start Painting:
Use acrylic paints to cover the canvas. Apply in layers, starting with your background colors. You can blend or layer colors as desired. I chose to layer.
Add Details:
Once the background is dry, add details with finer brushes. Work in layers, allowing each layer to dry as needed.
I wanted a gold touch, so I used gold metallic foil and adhesive glue to adhere on top of final dry product.
Finishing Touches:
After your painting is complete, consider sealing it with a clear acrylic medium for protection.
Let it Dry:
Allow the canvas to dry completely before displaying or framing it.
I spray painted the frame gold as the original was copper tone. Be sure to cover fully and tape off the canvas. You can choose to do this step first before gesso application if you feel more comfortable.
Tips:
If the original colors are very dark or bright, you may need to apply additional layers to fully cover them.
Use a palette knife for texture
Acrylics are fast drying and usually cheaper in cost. However, if you have oils and prefer to use, that is beautiful too!
