Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with canvas

What's your favorite place to buy artists' canvas in NYC?

aquafortis — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 04:01:16 -0800

What's your favorite place to buy artists' canvas in NYC? I was just wondering if anyone has any tips on where to buy relatively good-quality, inexpensive artists' canvas in the New York City area for acrylic/mixed media painting. Any hole-in-the-wall places with fantastic deals I need to know about? Can I do better than Pearl on Canal Street? Thanks!

How to protect Werner Herzog's signature on a pair of Chuck's?

barfmann — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 16:21:56 -0800

I got Werner Herzog to sign one of my Chuck's. He used a permanent Sharpie. I'd like to continue wearing the shoes (it's just a signature), but I'd like the sig to fade as slowly as possible (it's Werner Herzog's signature OMG!) What is the best way to protect Werner Herzog's signature (in Sharpie) on a pair of Chuck's?

Red Fuji southern wind clear morning... on my wall

killdevil — Thu, 28 May 2009 22:55:14 -0800

I need suggestions as to how I can most easily and inexpensively get the full-size version of this arresting image reproduced at large size and on high-quality art paper. So, which Web-based printing vendors have you dealt with who'd be worth looking into? I'm guessing there are Internet merchants whose business focuses on print production for digital art applications, and who could take a huge emailed JPEG file, run whatever pre-press conversions and cleanups may be necessary, dump out a finished art-print via a shockingly expensive print production system, then send back the end result rolled up in a big tube?

And, secondarily, if you have advice as to the specific paper or printing process we should seek out, or as to easy/cheap/attractive framing options you think would work well with the subject matter of the print in question, well, that'd be greatly appreciated too.

Help me shellac my matzoh balls

andoatnp — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 01:54:57 -0800

I dumped a substantial portion of matzoh ball soup on a canvas. After it dries I'm going to glue the larger chunks down, and then I need to varnish/shellac/something the canvas. What would work best? The biggest chunks are the matzoh balls themselves, and some big pieces of carrots and zucchini. Is there something I can spray or paint on that will keep it from smelling so that I can hang it up? This only needs to last for a couple of weeks, so it doesn't have to be long term. Thanks!

Please help me ruin a perfectly good canvas field coat

quarantine — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 02:50:51 -0800

I got a great gift of a brand-new camel-colored canvas field coat from Land's End. It fits great. Problem (?) is: that it looks like a brand-new camel-colored canvas field coat from Land's End. So I have this coat. I live in Los Angeles, far away from the woods. I would like to make it look like I've had it for 15+ years (the jacket that I have legitimately worn for 15 years looks awesome, but I'd rather not wait until my mid-forties for the look.)

This wikiHow article is useful. So is this previous question. But I'd like more ideas, especially from someone who has done this. Any reason I shouldn't just drive over it with my truck several times? Best way to distress without breaking the buttons? Is there a lapidary-type process to break the fibers? Abrasives? Dyes, bleaches, or other chemicals (if someone gives me an excuse to use copper perchlorate or something, I'd grin all the way to the chemical supply shop)? I don't really know what is best with stiff canvas.

Roman emulation

niccolo — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 19:03:39 -0800

I am attending film school where I am putting together the proposal for an ambitious film that takes place in the Roman era, in tent interiors. Now, the Romans used leather for tents, however I'd like to use a cheaper alternative, such as brown canvas. Should I use canvas? Where can I get largish quantities of canvas/tent making material? (Some source specific to Vancouver would be very helpful!)

Ill-prepared, but taking up oil painting anyway

charmston — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 06:51:33 -0800

Artfilter: I've decided to take up oil/canvas painting. I have good artistic sensibilities, but no formal training and no supplies. What do I need to know/own? Possibly useful: there is a Utrecht nearby, and I'll be making a trip later this afternoon.

I Have A Dirty Sack

turgid dahlia — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 14:44:53 -0800

So I went and bought myself a Sierra Messenger bag from Fossil the other day because I dig its funky style – yes, I know it has leather in it and yes, I know this makes me a hideous person – but I’ve got a real problem with it: it’s getting dirty. Specifically, the rear side of the bag, which rubs against my butt while I’m cruising around town picking up ladies – a Maserati would work better, I’m sure, but it just isn’t economical in these difficult times – is scuffing up with the dye from my new jeans, so now there’s this blue mark on the back which I predict is only going to get worse. So, my question to you, hivemind, is this: how do I remove this unsightly discolouration, and what can I do to prevent the canvas from picking up the shade and hue of every item of material that comes within five feet of it?

What are the best non-leather athletic shoes?

mrgrimm — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 14:28:29 -0800

What are the best non-leather athletic shoes? Athletic shoes are one of the few products for which I've been unable to find non-animal replacements. I did have some nice Adidas hemp Gazelles, but I don't think Adidas makes them anymore, and anyway, those shoes would have only been average for indoor soccer. I would certainly take them now (for a non-extravagant price).

For semi-serious football/soccer shoes (both cleats and flats), are there any good non-leather alternatives? While I'm at it, how about basketball or tennis? (Soccer cleats should double for baseball.) Ice skates?!

I do know about Chuck Taylors, of course, but if I played in any sort of game with largish men, I would want a bit more ankle protection, i.e. a serious athletic shoe. Thanks for any tips.

How can I smooth out creases in a canvas print?

jma — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 09:38:33 -0800

How can I smooth out creases in a canvas print? My parents found a canvas print in my grandmother's attic. It had to have been up there, rolled up, for a good 20 years or more.

The canvas (at least I think it's canvas, based on the weave and feel of it) is still in good shape, except a little dry. It hasn't cracked or anything anywhere. With it having been rolled up for so long, there are horizontal creases ever few inches. I tried just putting heavy books on it, first the back, then the front, each for a couple of days, but that didn't do much for it.

How can I get rid of those creases?

Shops in Manhattan that sell canvas grocery bags?

twoporedomain — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 10:33:54 -0800

Shops in Manhattan that sell canvas grocery bags? Do you have any suggestions for brick and mortar stores in NYC that have a selection of cute canvas bags?

As part of a Christmas gift I wanted to buy a cute canvas reusable grocery bag as part of the present wrapping. But I'm an epic procrastinator, and have only two days before I fly out to deliver said gift. So my original plan to order from someone on Etsy won't work.

Specifics:

- doesn't have a store name/logo printed on it (so Wholefoods and Trader Joes are out)

- some sort of colors or design/screen print on it (not just a plain beige bag)

- doesn't look like I bought it at a head shop

I know the exact store I'm picturing must exist somewhere on the island (or even a brief trainride outside of the island). Help me!

He makes it look so easy.

LoriFLA — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 13:10:15 -0800

I could paint that. Couldn't I? You know those "simple" abstract paintings that leave you thinking: I could do that!

How difficult is it to loosely copy art? Very talented artists have the gift of choosing color and composition. Couldn't the somewhat artistic, lay person create the same look without it looking crude and amateurish?

Examples:

Untitled (Orange and Yellow) by Mark Rothko

Untitled (Green, Red, on Orange) by Mark Rothko

I am aware that Rothko is very accomplished and talented. Famous! I realize what seems effortless is probably very difficult. But, how difficult would it be to borrow a few color combinations from these beautiful works and paint something that is similar? Most of us are nowhere near Rothko's talent, but how hard is it really? I ask this without any sarcasm.

I think Rothko painted with oil, but would watercolors be a better bet for an amateur? I'm wondering how he achieved that translucent, feathery quality that is at the edges of the rectangles, and the layering of colors with colors bleeding through.

Tell me I'm dreaming. Or, tell me a somewhat artistic person could paint a few rectangles and create something in the spirit of Rothko without looking like a five-year old did it. I have some talent in drawing but I've never done much painting. I would consider myself somewhat creative and artistic.

That was a lot. I guess I'm looking for painting tips and techniques, book suggestions, and general advice.

Looking for that blank canvas feel

DenOfSizer — Sat, 26 May 2007 13:08:48 -0800

How to recycle old paint canvases? I'd like to do some sort of photo transfer onto them, but how? I was thinking of applying a skim coat of plaster or gesso, but I'm more of a watercolorist and don't know too much about canvas on oil as a base (I found these canvases on a street in the trash.) Is there a photo-transfer technique that wouldn't involve ironing or removing the canvas and then re-stretching it across?

Stain Removal Tips

piers — Wed, 11 Apr 2007 17:56:08 -0800

Advice on removing a stain from my canvas bag? I recently bought a purse that I love, a beige canvas bag with leather straps and fittings. Now one side of the canvas is all gray and dingy, presumably from being set down on an unclean sidewalk. I brought the bag to two dry cleaners, but both refused to clean it because of the leather fittings. Any ideas?

Best photo ideas for canvas prints

cusecase — Mon, 11 Dec 2006 09:45:36 -0800

What kind of pictures (photos) render best on canvas. I am trying to get a large sized photo-on-canvas frame from a night-time city shot. The picture I have in mind are night time photos of city skylines (manhattan from brooklyn) Would this look good when converted to canvas ? What other suggestions does the hive mind have when it comes to shooting digital images for framing on canvas

Fix a dent in my new painting

strangeleftydoublethink — Tue, 23 May 2006 09:50:36 -0800

How can I fix a dent in my new painting (oil on canvas)? My wife and I just bought a new painting (approximately 30" x 40"). I set it on a table leaning against a wall. Our three-year-old daughter knocked it over onto a bottle, putting a dent right in the middle of the painting.

Is there a way to fix the dent so it's not so noticeable?

Converting Canvas to HTML

terrapin — Fri, 19 May 2006 07:26:22 -0800

How to convert Canvas 10.4.0 files to HTML? I am working with a friend who uses Canvas 10.4.0 for desktop publishing, and she needs assistance converting her files to a useable HTML format. More acccurately, I need her to send me useable HTML files in addition to PDFs, and I have never used Canvas so I do not know how to walk her through the process.

The first two attempts to convert the files to HTML produce a bunch of pointer HTML files, and a CSS file and then a directory ("_res") with cut up GIF images of the document.

The files she produces really are basic, without much formatting as far I can tell. I originally tried to simply copy and paste the text from the PDF she sent me, but because of the facing pages layout she uses the output ends up being one line from one page and the next line from the next page, etc, etc. Making it time consuming for me.

She would really like to learn how to output to HTML from Canvas, but I am at a loss as to how to go about doing this. The program is a paid app, but does have a 15-day trial version. I am thinking about downloading it and seeing if the trial version isn't crippled, so I can muck about myself, but I was hoping some community member out there might be able to give me some step-by-steps that I can pass on to my friend.

Thanks.

How to paint with acrylics?

petah — Tue, 25 Apr 2006 20:52:28 -0800

I want to start painting with acrylics. What are good, inexpensive supplies to get? What are some good resources/websites to learn how to start? I've bought some canvases, some cheap acrylics paints, and some cheap brushes and tomorrow I'm going to experiment.

Any specific brands I should buy? Any specific methods I should be aware of? Any resources I should know about?

Canvas Prints

Shanachie — Tue, 18 Apr 2006 21:55:53 -0800

My wife wants to start a business making art for kids. She plans to make an original painting and then customize a canvas print with a kid's name. Any suggestions on an inexpensive way to get canvas prints? Any way to order such a service wholesale?

Wiring Heavy Paintings

wetpaint — Sun, 05 Feb 2006 22:19:25 -0800

How do I wire heavy paintings for hanging with thick, braided wire? I have about forty heavy paintings to wire, and am encountering a problem with twisting the heavy braided wire that was recommended by the all-knowing frame shop guy. I've attached the hooks to the backs of the canvases, then I thread the wire through and twist it back onto itself to secure it. But as this wire is so thick, it doesn't seem to grip itself and loosens when the paintings are hung on the wall and the weight pulls on the wire. It's like the twist unravels. Man, this is hard to explain.

So the real question is: how do I knot or twist braided wire so that it stays secure? Any fellow painters/framers out there who know about this?

Where in the UK can i get a picture i supply printed into a large (1m x 1m) block canvas?

Nik_Doof — Wed, 14 Dec 2005 03:43:32 -0800

Where in the UK can i get a picture i supply printed into a large (1m x 1m) block canvas? I recently visited a friend of a friend who had a large block canvas with a adorable photo of his daughter on, I'd like to do the same but for my fiancee. As the guy was a friend-of-a-friend i don't know him personally to ask him, and my Google searches pull up nothing.

Has anyone on MeFi got this sort of custom artwork from anywhere in the UK?

Vintage Canvas Giclee Reproductions

shoepal — Sun, 04 Dec 2005 10:47:24 -0800

Anyone have any experience with large giclee canvas reproduction prints (of vintage posters)? What is the quality like? Where did you get it? How did you frame it (matte, no matte? glass/plexiglass?)

I'm specifically looking at the type found on eBay? (and yes I know giclee is just a pretentious french word for ink-jet print.)

plastic bits with framed canvas

andrew cooke — Fri, 04 Mar 2005 03:53:32 -0800

I bought a small (20x30 cm) canvas (cotton on a wooden frame, pre-whitened) to paint on yesterday and it came with 8 pieces of plastic, each about 1 cm across, 4 or 5 cm long, with one end square and the other at 45 degrees. What are they for? They were moulded onto a "tree" (like model aircraft kits), but I'm pretty sure they're meant to be separated into the pieces I described above. If it makes any difference, the canvas is now painted (oils). Thanks.

Stretching Shoes

Shane — Thu, 09 Dec 2004 07:53:48 -0800

Is it possible to stretch canvas shoes? Just a little? More inside. I have wide feet so I usually have to wear New Balance 2EE or 3EE, or Converse bought a size too long. But I also don't wear leather, I like to support Vegan companies, and I don't buy Chuck Taylors anymore 'cuz they're Nikes. (Didn't Chucks used to be sorta the Anti-Nike, the shoe for non-jocks/cheap punks/etc? Good business move, Nike, sewing up the market.)

This makes life buying shoes pretty damn tough. So I just ordered a pair of these Comptons and I ♥ them totally, but the left one is just a tad tight on my left big-toe tendon (the slightly larger of my two feets.)

Can I maybe wet the toe of the shoe and shove something big in it to stretch it? Or should I give up and send 'em back? :-(

T'anks.