Vancouver on Canvas: artwork

Showing posts with label artwork. Show all posts

Wednesday, January 18, 2023

All About Laser Technology for Art!

Laser Cutting Machines are machines that produce a high powered laser beam in order to cut or etch customized designs into certain types of materials. These materials vary between different kinds of steel, woods, and plastics. It works by vaporizing the edge of a material resulting in a clean cut edge.

Laser Cutting Machine

The advantages of using a laser beam are that they create better precision on complex works as well as reduce the contamination of the piece. Some materials can be very difficult or near impossible to cut therefore a laser machine reduces the chance of a material warping when being cut in comparison to other cutting machinery, reducing any possible contamination of a workpiece. As well, a laser machine allows cutting small holes and complex details that other machinery might not be able to do. The main disadvantage of a laser machine is that it is very expensive to maintain. There are three main types of laser machines; that being CO2 (Gas) lasers, Crystal lasers, and Fiber lasers.

Laser Cutting Machine in use

CO2 (Gas) Lasers are best used for cutting nonmetals or engraving metals as it uses a technique of carbon dioxide mixed laser. This is known as the oldest method of laser machines. These lasers are mainly used for industrial cutting on materials such as titanium, stainless steel, mild steel, aluminum, plastic, wood, engineered wood, wax, fabrics, and paper.

Crystal Lasers allow processing of both metal and non-metal materials through the method of crystal mediums which allows for high-powered metal cutting capabilities. This is a more expensive method of laser cutting as well as has a shorter lifespan.

Fiber Lasers feature the newest technology regarding cutting methods. Fiber lasers use a stronger, more focused beam which is ideal for cutting heavier metals as well as creating lower production costs.

Laser Machines work by directing the output of a high-power laser most commonly through optics. Moreover, the laser beam is generally focused using a high-quality lens on the material being worked on. This is a non-contact process, meaning the beam doesn't touch the material being cut.

Materials that can be used with a Laser Machine

These machines can be used to create engravings, markings, etchings, and cuts on a variety of materials such as metals, woods, plastic, cardboard, paper, cork, or glass. Some of the methods for cutting are vaporization, melt and blow, melt blow and burn, thermal stress cracking, scribing, cold cutting and burning stabilized laser cutting. Although laser machines can work with such a large amount of materials, there are a few materials that you should avoid. This includes wood coated with resin or oils, epoxy, fiberglass, coated carbon fiber, polypropylene, milk bottle plastic, ABS, PVC/artificial leather/pleather/vinyl, or thick (>1mm) polycarbonate.

With these different uses that a laser machine can produce on a variety of materials, comes a variety of creations. Laser Machines can be used to create wood burning, plaque engraving, cut out designs, and an assortment of laser cut wood projects.

Wood Burning Plaque Engraving

Cut out design

Laser Machine art projects

Friday, October 14, 2022

All About Magnetic Poster Frames!

Magnetic Poster Frames are the perfect option for displaying your photos and artworks! These easy to assemble hangers are a great alternative to picture frames. Coming in a variety of sizes and colours, these affordable displays are great for those on a budget looking to amplify their décor.

Magnetic Poster Frames consist of four thin pieces of wood, with each pair being magnetized together. All you have to do is place the wood piece with a magnet on a flat surface, magnet side up, and position your artwork on it. Then once the artwork is centered, place the second piece of wood on top to magnetize the art in place. Make sure the wood with the hanging strap is on the top side of your artwork. And voila, as simple as that you have a fully ready display!

These Magnetic Poster Frames come in a variety of sizes such as 8”, 9”, 12”, 19”, 24”, 37”, and are also available for custom sizing! They are also available in three different colours; Oak, Pine or Walnut. These shades vary from very light to deep natural wood colourings.

Size Chart

8”
9”
12”
24”
37”
CUSTOM

Tuesday, July 26, 2022

A Quick Guide to Mediums and Gesso!

When it comes to painting, there are many terms and techniques used that may be unfamiliar. In this paragraph, we will be going to break down each term and how it's used. Before beginning your painting, you will want to apply a pre layer called Grounds, short for “background”. The Ground (base) layer is used to support your painting’s colour and tone. It consists of rather gesso, paint, or other wet mediums, depending on the surface it is being painted on such as panels or canvas. Gesso is a primer made from a combination of paint pigment, chalk, and binder. It is used to prepare or prime a surface for oil painting. When painting, there are materials that can change the consistency of your paint to add texture. These materials are called Texture Gels and they are used by mixing with the paint. Texture Gels have a stiff texture that makes it easy to shape and hold form. In the opposite effect, we have Mediums, which are meant to thin out paints. Mediums are best used for acrylic paints to lengthen working time. Another material you can add to your paint is Additives. Instead of just adding texture, additives reduce the drag on a brush or provide anti-slip. They also make the paint flow better on a surface as well as stick better to difficult surfaces. A Liquid Polymer is mixed with the paints as it extends the paint, creates glazes, enhances gloss, and increases film integrity.. After you’re done with your painting, you still have to apply a Finish. There are multiple finishes to choose from with different levels of sheen; matte, satin, or gloss. This is the final layer of the painting, it should be thin, transparent, and colourless. This layer is also meant to protect the painting from the atmosphere, a Varnish is the perfect option for protection and differing sheen levels.

Grounds Gesso

Mediums Liquid Polymer

Texture Gels Finishes

Thursday, May 12, 2022

Brushes

When it comes to brushes, there are many different types, that way you’ll always be able to find at least one to your liking. Each type of brush comes in a different shape and size in order to create a certain texture and thickness. Along with different styles of brushes comes different materials these brushes can be made from. The material a brush is made from can affect the quality of not only the brushes lifespan but the work created with it as well. Lastly, it is very important to understand the proper maintenance of a brush as the better you take care of something, the longer it will last.

In this article, we will discuss 6 different kinds of brushes and what they are used for.

A Round Brush has all the bristles come to a point. Round Brushes are best used for broad or fine details depending on the size and are overall a staple brush when it comes to painting.

A Flat Brush has the bristles formed in a flat square shape. This shape creates a perfect sharp edge with the straight tip of the brush. This brush is also useful in creating both thick and thin lines depending on the angle, as well as great for blocking in solid shapes.

A Bright Brush is similar to a Flat Brush with its flat square shape however the bristles are shorter overall. Like the Flat Brush, a Bright Brush also creates a sharp edge. However a Bright Brush is best used for short controlled strokes.

A Filbert Brush is a flat brush with a rounded tip like an oval shape. This rounded edge is perfect for creating strokes with no hard edges.

A Fan or Blender Brush is a wide flat brush that fans out in the shape of a V. This brush can be used to smooth out already painted strokes as well as can be used to create texture.

A Liner, Script, or Rigger Brush is a long, very thin tipped brush. This brush is best used for fine details or lettering. The extra long bristles are able to hold more paint which allows for long painted linework.

Along with all these different shaped brushes comes a wide variety of materials that these brushes can be made up of. We will be discussing six different materials and what they come from.

Kolinsky is one of the finest materials available. Coming from the remote regions of Russia and China, this soft hair comes from the pelt of a mink or weasel.

Red Sable comes from the red haired weasel and is capable of holding a large amount of pigment. As well, this material is able to hold shape well which assists in creating smooth flat strokes.

Sabeline comes from high quality Oxen hair yet is less expensive than the Red Sable. Overall this material maintains many of the same qualities as the Red Sable (such as brush stroke quality) other than affordability.

Ox Hair comes from the hair of a cattle or boar. This material is quite soft and is able to hold plenty of liquid however, it lacks in creating a fine tipped stroke

Camel Hair comes from that of a goat, pony, or squirrel’s hair which makes this material extremely affordable. As well, this material is able to absorb a great amount of liquid however this can create a difficulty in controlling the brush strokes.

Lastly, there is Synthetic Brushes which are made of nylon or polyester. These less expensive brushes are easier to clean and less prone to breakage due to their man made nature.

It is important to note that many animals used for paint brushes are cruelly killed for their fur much like those used for fur coats. These animals have been hunted, trapped, and gassed for their fur/hair and it is important to research exactly where your materials are coming from. In some instances, certain animals like horses or goats may have been groomed and had their clippings donated, but more times than not animals are cruelly killed. On the flip side, synthetic brushes may be cruelty free but they are not eco friendly. With synthetics taking over 450 years to decompose. Overall, it is important to do your own research on where to purchase your brushes from and consider alternatives.

Even though brushes can come in many different shapes and be made up of many different materials, they all need the proper care and maintenance in order to last. It's important to never let any brush rest hair side down as this can ruin the bristles. Instead rest the brush horizontally or vertically but with the bristles pointed up towards the sky. It is also good to clean the brushes immediately after using them or in between colours, and not just when you’re done using them. This is because paint can easily dry on the brush if not in use as well as the bristles can be miss-shapen if left sitting in water for too long. The type of washing method can depend on the type of paint used on the brush. After using water based paints, cleaning with soap and tap water will work just fine on brushes. Whereas after using oil or alkyd based paints, you should wash with turpentine and mineral spirits. Make sure to gently massage the bristles when cleaning and always work in the direction of the bristles and not against. A good way to test if a brush is clean is to wipe it against your wrist a few times and if no colour shows up then it is clean. Lastly, always reshape the bristles after washing so that they dry in the proper form.

Now you should have a basic understanding of brushes broken down into the three categories; brush shapes, brush materials, and how to care for your brush. With there being six main brush shapes; Round, Flat, Bright, Filbert, Fan/Blender, and Liner/Script/Rigger Brushes. If you’re new to painting, a Round and Flat brush are the perfect starter pair as these staples are easy to use for many techniques. As well as six different brush materials; Kolinsky, Red Sable, Sabeline, Ox Hair, Camel Hair, and Synthetic. Furthermore the proper wash and care can depend on the type of paint being used. Most importantly, the better you take care of something, the longer it will last! We hope you found this article helpful for your research on brushes. For further information, we encourage you to read MacPherson’s guide on Art Fundamentals-Brushes | MacPherson's.

Check out our website www.canadaoncanvas.com!

Friday, January 14, 2022

Canvas Kits!

Canvas Kits, by Fredrix, are an innovative idea for the at home artist! These DIY kits are perfect for easy transportation as well as more cost efficient. Here at KeenArt Media, we offer the kits in multiple sizes. The kits come in long, narrow compact boxes to avoid high shipping costs as well as the risk of damage. Large stretched canvases can be riskier to receive due to the volume of fragile space that could be damaged but canvas kits completely avoid that issue by shipping the contents unassembled. With easy to follow instructions, the canvas kits can be assembled as quickly as in under 20 minutes! These kits are perfect for artists who love to paint on a large scale as well as look for an affordable option!

These Canvas Kits include many items in order to create your very own stretched canvas! Within these kits are four gallery wrap 1 ⅜ profile stretcher bars, an archival canvas, corner and cross braces, a clever lever, assembly screws, and a step by step instruction. All the materials are made by Fredrix Red Label which provides a double primed, acid-free acrylic titanium gesso duck canvas as well as kiln dried stretcher bars for high quality professional results. The Clever Lever, created by Fredrix, eliminates the need for pliers and stretches the canvas extra taut. We offer multiple large sizes for Canvas Kits that way you will be sure to find the perfect fit for yourself.

Sizes:

36 x 48
36 x 60
36 x 72
40 x 40
40 x 60
48 x 48
48 x 60
48 x 72
60 x 60
60 x 72
60 x 84

Canvas Kits are best for large scale artworks as they come compact thus creating a more affordable shipping fee as well as being less likely to experience any damage when transported. The canvas is a versatile material that can be used for multiple mediums such as acrylics, oils, water soluble oils, paint markers, permanent markers, spray paints, and alkyds.

How To Assemble:

Begin by rolling out the canvas.
Then lay the canvas face down with the pre-attached stretcher bar placed closest to you.
Assemble the stretcher bars using the tongue and groove corners to slide them together.
Install the corner braces as these assure a tight 90 degree angle for perfect corners.
Then attach the cross braces for added support.
Begin stretching the canvas on the opposite side of the pre-attached stretcher bar.
Stretch by placing the lever in the top groove of the stretcher bar and folding the canvas over the lever and tilt the lever at a 90 degree position.
Place the wood clip over the center of the folded canvas, then place the other two clips on the outer sides of the folded canvas.
Gently push down on the lever creating tension on the canvas.

Then staple canvas.
Repeat on each side of the canvas.

To purchase visit: Canvas Kits - USA Art Supplies, Fine Art Materials & Picture Frames For The Visual Arts (usaoncanvas.com)

For more information: RED LABEL GALLERY KIT, 12oz Acrylic Primed Cotton Canvas – Fredrix Artist Canvas

Step by Step Assembly: How to Instruction for Fredrix Stretch It Yourself Kit

Wednesday, December 15, 2021

Stretched Artist Canvas - ALL

Our art supplies selection offers a wide variety of materials, especially when it comes to canvas. In this article, we will be discussing all the stretched canvases offered at Vancouver On Canvas! We will discuss the different sizes, shapes, materials that can be used with these canvases, as well as what they’re made from! Keep reading to learn more about Metallic Canvases, Stretched Round/Oval Canvases, Convexo Canvases, and Standard/Profile Canvases.

The Metallic Stretched Canvas comes in two shades, Gold and Pearl. These triple primed cotton canvases are available in 8 sizes each. The metallic canvases work well with acrylics and oils as they are primed with a universal acrylic gesso. The canvases also accept paint markers, spray paints, alkyds, permanent markers, and water soluble oils. The canvases are stretched on kiln dried stretcher bars and ready to hang. These are the perfect canvas for creating a unique artwork, leave certain areas bare to show off the natural metallic sheen that is the canvas for a luxurious appearance!

Sizes:

6 x 6
6 x 12
9 x 12
12 x 12
16 x 20
18 x 24
24 x 24
24 x 36

Pearl - Metallic Pearl Stretched Canvas

Gold - Metallic Gold Stretched Canvas

Our medium texture duck canvas is available in both round and oval stretched frames. These canvases come in a wide variety of sizes, as well as come in a double primed acid free acrylic titanium gesso. Both the round and oval canvases come in a ¾ profile. These receptive surfaces pair well with acrylics, oils, water soluble oils, paint markers, alkyds, spray paints, and permanent markers. These unique shaped canvases are perfect for fine art and craft making and suit any style!

Round Sizes:

5”
8”
10”
12”
16”
20”

Oval Sizes:

5” x 7”
6” x 8”
8” x 10”
9” x 12”
11” x 14”
16” x 20”
12” x 16”

Round - Round Stretched Canvas

Oval - Oval Stretched Canvas

The Convexo Canvas is very similar to our regular stretched canvas but has a unique beveled edge. It consists of a 100% cotton uniform texture that is primed with an acrylic titanium gesso. These no frame-ready to hang stretched canvases come in both a round and rectangular shape in a variety of sizes. These convexo canvases work well with acrylics, oils, water soluble oils, alkyds, paint markers, spray paint, and permanent markers.

Rectangular Sizes:

18” x 24”
24” x 36”
30” x 40”

Round Sizes:

8”
12”
16”
20”
24”
30”
36”
40”

Round - Convexo Round Canvas

Rectangle - Convexo Rectangular Canvas

Our Standard Canvas comes in many sizes however it is only available in two different profile sizes, ¾ inch and 1 ½ inch. These canvases come double primed in an acrylic gesso and stretched over a wooden frame, for easy hanging. Larger sized canvases will come braced for extra support. These standard canvases are the perfect choice for a traditional canvas and they are ready to use upon arrival making less work for the artist! With all the selection of sizes, you will be sure to find exactly what you need. The standard canvas works well with a variety of mediums such as oils, acrylics, paint markers, permanent markers, spray paint, alkyds, and water soluble oils.