How to Protect Acrylic Stain Painting on Raw Canvas

How can I protect my canvas stain painting after directly painting on the raw canvas with acrylic paint? Do I use a clear gesso? Or do I put a varnish over my artwork to protect it?
In this video, I discuss the steps you can take to protect your acrylic stain painting, and the benefits of using acrylic paint on raw canvas. I also give tips on how to varnish acrylic paintings on canvas, and the feasibility of putting clear gesso on your finished painting.
Acrylic paints gives the artist lots of flexibility.
Have a question of your own for me? Message me on Instagram (@micheletheberge) or email me ([e-mail])!
🕰 VIDEO OUTLINE
0:25 Question: Since I didn’t apply clear gesso, how can I now protect my canvas? Will it get damaged? Can I add gesso over my artwork or a varnish?
0:40 Using acrylics for stain painting + it’s benefits
1:51 You can’t do stain painting if you put clear gesso on the canvas first
2:59 Protecting the overall painting after it’s finished
6:35 Putting clear gesso on top of a stain painting
7:22 Acrylic paint is so flexible so experiment and have fun!
👩🏼‍🎨📚 SUGGESTED MATERIALS
Liquitex Professional Acrylic Ink Set - Basic Colors, Set of 3
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Liquitex Professional Acrylic Ink Set - Essential Ink Colors, Set of 6
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Golden High Flow Acrylics - Transparent Colors, Set of 10
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Liquitex Professional Soft Body Acrylic Paints and Sets
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Liquitex Effects Airbrush Medium - 8 oz, Bottle
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Golden Airbrush Medium, 8 oz
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Liquitex Acrylic Gesso - Clear
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Liquitex Soluvar Varnish Spray - Gloss
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Liquitex Soluvar Varnish Spray - Matte
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Golden Archival Spray Varnish - 10 oz, Gloss, Spray Can
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Golden Archival Spray Varnish - 10 oz, Matte, Spray Can
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Da Vinci Top Acryl Synthetic Brush - Bright, Long Handle, Size 20
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Liquitex Freestyle Brush - Broad Flat, Long Handle, 2"
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Winsor & Newton Cotman Watercolor Brush - One-Stroke, Short Handle, 1"
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Winsor & Newton Sceptre Gold II Brush - Wash, Short Handle, Size 2"
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Blick Unprimed Cotton Canvas By the Yard - 12 oz, 60"
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[@lunaazul5244]

This was so interesting and also inspiring. I’ve never tried stain painting and this video made me want to give it a go. Thank you Michelle for this content 😊🫶🏻

[@MicheleTheberge]

Luna! I'm so glad it inspired you! Hope you have fun with it. I find it very enjoyable and freeing to move the paint around in this way. I hope you check out the playlist in the description box for more detail info on stain painting.

[@lunaazul5244]

@@MicheleTheberge thank you so much! I will do that while creating 😊

[@Hellomelikeyy]

This was SUPER helpful! Thank you so much! ❤

[@MicheleTheberge]

I'm so glad!

[@Dguinnane1]

Hi great video thank you. I love to draw / paint with oil paint sticks directly onto raw cotton. I know that it may lead to rot in the future, but do have any estimation on how long into the future, and do you have any recommendations for how to try and preserve it anyways, such as layering a product on the front and back perhaps? Many thanks for your time!

[@MicheleTheberge]

Thanks! Have you considered layering a clear gesso or matte medium before working on the raw cotton? I know the texture won't be exactly the same, but if you haven't tried it you could do a test scrap and see if it appeals to you. Layering something on top likely won't stop the acids in the oil sticks that have already come into contact with the cotton fibers. Something on the back couldn't hurt, either. Clear gesso or matte medium come to mind. As far as how soon the oil might impact cotton fibers , you might consult a chemist or conservation scientest for that information. Look at paintings in museums that are oil directly on canvas or paper to understand better. I've seen many that are in fine condition decades later. There maybe be discoloration. Good luck!

[@nomamanopapa2]

thank you for your usuful experienced advise. i came across your video by asking a question about painting on unprimed canvas with either acrylic or watercolor. i usually paint on paper or wood. my question is what if i seal or prime the back of an unprimed canvas, could i get better result when i paint on the unprimed side, would it help or harm?

[@MicheleTheberge]

That is a very thoughtful question, Eliahu.Technically speaking, It will neither helped nor harm the materials or their longevity,, but it will impact how the paint in stain painting technique will saturate the canvas. Ceiling the back will stop the paint from spreading through the canvas and saturating completely. But you may like that! And especially if you’re losing a looser weave canvas, you may see some acrylic peeking through the fibers. My suggestion is to take some smaller pieces and do tests for yourself. You may be inventing a technique that you will really like! But either way you will know what the difference is.

[@otisrocksus]

Im wondering about protecting the stained canvas from mold and insects. I live on the west coast of Mexico and moths and other little bigs run rampant here. Will an overall varnish protect the fabric? Also wondering if you have ever stain painted the backside of primed canvas? Im curious how this would work. Thanks in advance!!❤️

[@MicheleTheberge]

I’m certainly no expert on protecting canvas from insects. But my hunch is if you coat both sides of the canvas with any kind of acrylic, you will seal it from insect intrusion. I would put at least three coats. However, the technique of stain painting is meant to really show the texture and feel of the , so I would recommend matte mediums and matte varnishes that won’t affect the sheen of the canvas too much. Please try little samples before you work on your favorite pieces.

[@dailysmallbuzzes6882]

Thank you for this video - this is exactly what I was looking for. I am on a journey to try to implement raw canvas as a part of the painting, and I am trying to learn how to do that. There’s SO many gorgeous fabrics that would look stunning combined with a painting! Have you seen @victoriarosepark and @sydswisher? It’s so creative how they use that. Ive bought and just tried clear gesso - for oil paint on the canvas. But I had to cover all the canvas with paint - because that gesso was not clear at all! It dulled the fabric so much and it looked horrible (it is Amsterdam transparant gesso). So I am happy to find out that I can get that effect with acrylics that I am going for! :😀 I will subscribe and see what other good advice you have - its so nice you make videos on this🙏

[@MicheleTheberge]

You are so welcome! You might watch my video for experienced painters on how to test your mediums and things like clear gesso. Happy painting to you!

[@MicheleTheberge]

Here’s the link to the video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oJKylHZra5qVgpIsi=8KR3a-CIPNEOTbpd

[@vehinhkhoitamgiac2889]

great content !

[@MicheleTheberge]

Thank you!

[@Chron_Dawg78]

Hi Michele! James from CCA

[@MicheleTheberge]

Hey there! I hope you are well, James! Apologies for the delayed response. It’s been a busy month and I got a bit behind on reading comments.

[@victoriaparrucci1660]

What material is best for satin canvas? When I asked for raw canvas people Don’t know what I mean haha so it’s teh same to buy a specific fabric?

[@MicheleTheberge]

For stain painting, I recommend 12 ounce cotton canvas If you are trying to go to the fabric store and you ask for raw canvas, they might call it cotton duck here in the US. In art supply stores, they call it canvas and it’s usually sold on a roll by the yard or sometimes they have pre-cut lengths that are folded and sold in plastic bags. For stain painting I prefer the kind you can get off of the roll because it doesn’t have any folds or wrinkles that you have to deal with.

[@anthonylopez9594]

HOw should i clean the raw canvas before i stain it. I got a bunch of lint on it.

[@MicheleTheberge]

Oh dear! In my experience, if you try to wash it, you end up with wrinkles, that nothing can get rid of even even lots and lots of ironing. 😔 have you tried using a lint roller? The kind for clothing that is like a big roll of tape?

[@anthonylopez9594]

@@MicheleTheberge i did and it worked. Thank you so much

[@MicheleTheberge]

@@anthonylopez9594 Great news! Thanks for letting me and our whole community here know that worked!