When sanding down a canvas to reuse, how much of the dried oil paint needs to be removed?
Question on salvaging canvas
My guess would be until you can’t feel much harsh texture or no texture at all. I have been doing 6 lately. I have been testing lot of different ways. It can be tricky. I have ruined 1 canvas.
indicationofart depends on your next project. If you go with smooth style - then till it has flat surface to your touch. If impasto on the top all over the canvas just major uneven elements.
NTZArt did you save rest 5?
Sunnylady Thanks! I knew you would know the answer.
NTZArt Thanks Nancy. That is what I have been doing. Just wasn't sure I was going about it correctly.
indicationofart there is no right or wrong, just something that works for your art projects. I recently sanded impasto acrylics painting to make it smooth, but when I applied gesso on top I could not make it ideal. So I used smooth oil painting technique with a medium on top of that gesso, and those uneven bumps of gesso are seen. To me it makes painting feel more unique in its imperfections. I like it. But my husband does not like it. So whatever you like in your art processes may be more important than reaching unreachable perfection and loosing your mind.
Sunnylady I really was just wondering to make sure I got it right. I had read somewhere that you should never put acrylic based over oil. Naturally I thought that meant you needed to sand down so the canvas was "white" again before gesso. Thank you for saving me a ton of work and money. Your knowledge about oil painting technicalities is invaluable to me!
Tomi when I am going to reuse a canvas I use a palm sander with 80 grit paper and it works great. Take care while doing though.....as Bob said, "No pressure". lol
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Cronenberg89 Is eighty grit the really coarse stuff or really fine?
indicationofart If you sand it well enough and put your gesso over it, it should be no problem.
4 days later
80 grit is coarse Tomi.
5 days later
indicationofart absolutely right: oil over acrylics is fine, but acrylics/acrylic gesso over oil is not fine. Theory says it will peel off. I have not seen it since I paint only few years. I have not done it myself though.
Folks here explained about sanding very well! Thanks to all fr sharing! surely no need to sand down to white canvas. Just smooth for the touch.