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Subject: Cracking Paint...Can it be helped?

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ArtisticGirly
Posts:5

09/30/2007 1:38 PM Alert 

The acrylic paint on my reused canvas is cracking. I began by applying gesso over the acrylic paint that was already applied to the canvas. I painted a couple layers of white acrylic paint over this because the old paint would bleed through some at least visually. Then I applied some medium of texture, a flaky egg shell. I sanded it down just a little bit then applied more coast of white paint, then I applied a sand texture is some spots and sanded that down as well. I think it's mostly cracking where the canvas doesn't have texture. I used mostly Liquitex paint, but it started cracking after I applied the Dick Blick paint, this is my first time using the Dick Blick brand....is it bad quality paint? I also used a extender medium from Liquitex to mix with the Dick Blick white and a little water because it was still so thick. This is all just work on my background, I didn't even get to the foreground yet.

I have never had this issue before, but I would like to learn from it.

Is there anyway to fix this or is there just to much paint on the canvas now? Do I have to throw the cavas away and start over? This is my first time trying to reuse a canvas, what should I have done differently?






klippie

Posts:1880

09/30/2007 3:01 PM Alert 
Gee, thats never happened to me so I wouldn't be able to tell you and I've reused many canvasses too.
maybe its a chemical reaction between the stuff you used.....

would it work if you sand off or is the cracks too deep,
I know there is something like an acrylic stripper,
but just a word of warning it takes all the paint of the canvas and just don't use it indoors....
it smells terrible. and makes you feel sick ask me Ive used it.

Its called Amsterdam Acrylic remover,
just an Idea...

Retha

If at first you dont succeed.........don't ever give up!
ArtisticGirly
Posts:5

09/30/2007 7:41 PM Alert 
I did sand it down the first time it cracked, then applied another coat of the Dick Blick white acrylic paint, it cracked even worse this time. I guess that I could sand it down again and then coat it with Liquitex paint and see if it cracks again.
ArtisticGirly
Posts:5

10/01/2007 8:40 AM Alert 
I could still use some advice if there are any other people reading this to give it. This thread is still open peoples! =)
dlmtle

Posts:85

10/02/2007 11:13 PM Alert 
maybe you could remove the canvas and restretch new canvass on the stretchers? or take it off and flip it over to use the other side? I've never done it, but it sounds simpler and less expensive than messing w/ a bunch of chemicals. maybe somebody else has tried it?

Dawna
my blog http://dlmtleart.wordpress.com
http://dlmtleArt.imagekind.com
http://www.zazzle.com/dlmtleart*
one who sees

Posts:508

10/16/2007 8:29 PM Alert 
mmmm its heartbreaking when things just go bad to worse...sorry this has happened...
always make sure that you dont mix acrylics with any oil base medium or paint..not saying you have but always make double sure..i have done the error once, but it was by using a latex thinner..thinking it was an oil thinner..what a mess!..bleck
your cracks i fear? could be because of the thickenss of what you are applying...and the drying factor...it seems to be shrinking as its painting there by creating the cracks....

personally? yep i would remove the canvas and toss it....reuse the frame and restretch a canvas on it...if its not preprimed canvas, lightly coat with gesso, then lightly sand, coat,sand,coat..and you should be set to go....and? just take it as a lesson..~wink~...we all have learned a lesson or two by experiencing something, this was just yours....

~I am always doing what I cannot do yet, in order to learn how to do it~
Vincent Van Gogh

www.bettyannlemist.com
StillRotraut
Posts:14

12/05/2007 12:38 PM Alert 

HI - Sorry that I don't know how to help your situation - but I do know how to definitely prevent it in the first place. I paint for years now on rigid panels - which as of now are not widely used - probably because people shy away from experimenting with materials that are not available in art supply stores. It is called ABS and can be bought at companies that exclusively sell plastic products. (Yellow pages). The advantages are many - the drawbacks have so far not shown up! It does not warp or split at the corners, is not susceptable to mould, rot, humidity, insects, is stable and will not cause cracking of paint and if I want the texture of canvas - it takes applying canvas with acrylic medium beautifully. It can be framed traditionally, floated on a backdrop or fastened to strecher bars (to take a canvas frame) - needs no stabilizing re-enforcement bars and (the 1/8") can be cut with a fine tooth hand saw. There is a 1/16" version and a 1/32" version (can be cut to size with a good pair of tin snips) that lend themselves to use much like good paper would, after they are dulled and can also be covered with a thin coat of gesso - good for oils or acrylics - maybe for other techniques as well - which I have not used.  Something to think about

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