SAMANTHA DASILVA | FINE ART
  • home
  • About
    • Biography
    • Artist Statement
    • Curriculum Vitae
  • Available Works
  • Archives
    • 2019 Rooted
    • 2018 Maui
    • 2017 A New Earth
    • 2016 Love Is The Balm
    • 2016 Sunday Best
    • 2015 Spring Favorites
    • 2014 Meditations
    • 2013 After Paris
    • 2012 Anthropologie
    • 2011 Mr. Green Gold
    • 2010 The Forever Series
    • 2009 Truth Be Told
    • 2008 Surfacing
  • INSTRUCTION
    • What is Fearless Abstract Painting?
    • Workshops
    • Supply List
    • FAQ's
    • Testimonials
    • Transcript
  • Services
    • Commissions
    • Corporate Painting
    • Private Art Instruction
  • Contact
  • Blog

Why & How To Tone Your Canvas

12/8/2017

 
Picture

Learn how to get over the fear of the blank canvas. This article explores the benefits of toning including my 3-step process on how to do it. 

4 Benefits of Toning Your Canvas:
​

  • Provides a starting point
  • Creates movement
  • Makes the canvas less intimidating and more approachable
  • Roller marks can inspire your next move
When I began painting, getting over the fear of the blank canvas was one of my biggest challenges.
For me, the blank canvas carried the expectation that I had to create something worthy of it, a “masterpiece”, and that I had to spend time and energy planning exactly how I was going to give shape to the ideas in my head.

I decided that the best way for me to get over my inhibitions was to tone the canvas right away. This made the canvas less intimidating and more approachable. In my mind, toning the canvas made it “less perfect”. It also created movement, and it took away the burden that I had to know exactly what I was doing before I made my first mark.

Google “Should I tone my canvas?” and you will get a multitude of opinions. My approach is rather unorthodox. For me, toning a canvas has everything to do with movement and beginning the work, more than having to take into account what the painting will look like when it’s finished.

I start by choosing one of either two colors depending on my mood: Yellow ochre for a warmth or Payne’s grey for coolness. 90% of the time, I chose Yellow ochre because I think it’s a beautiful earth color and it lends itself well to my pallet.

​Keep in mind that you can tone your canvas with any color.  If Yellow ochre doesn’t appeal to you, chose a color that does. We are so much more likely to enjoy the painting process if we work with colors that we like instead of colors we don't like.

3 Steps to Tone Your Canvas:
​

  1. Chose a color that resonates with you
  2. Squeeze the paint directly onto the canvas (I prefer to place the paint on the lower left side of the canvas)
  3. Use the roller to spread the paint evenly. (Remember to paint the sides of the canvas also.)

Additional Considerations:
​

  • There is no need to tone your canvas perfectly flat. Quite often, the lines, bubbles and textures that the roller creates during the toning process can serve as inspiration or insight for your next move.
  • If choosing a color to tone your canvas feels daunting, keep in mind that the toned canvas is mostly (if not completely) obscured as a result of the multitude of layers I add during my process.
  • Paint the front as well at the sides of your canvas. Read more about this topic in my upcoming article: "Should I paint the sides of my canvas?"
  • A thin layer of acrylics will be dry in 15 minutes. Additional time may be required for humid climates.
  • Mix toning color (Yellow ochre) & medium (Modelling paste) to tone and texture at the same time.​
  • Instead of toning the entire canvas, try toning only a few sections instead. I’ve purposefully left entire sections of white canvas in some of my finished pieces.
  • For me, toning is a tool to create movement and a place to start. If you don’t want to tone your canvas at all, you can simply begin.

For upcoming Fearless Abstract Painting workshops please click HERE.

Did you enjoy this blog post? Please share it, leave a question or comment. Thank you!

Comments are closed.
    This blog was created to share my belief that the art-making process is a catalyst for transformation and
    ​personal empowerment.
    I am living proof. 

    Blog Categories

    All
    Free Resources
    INSPIRE
    SHOW
    Teach

    Archives

    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013

  • home
  • About
    • Biography
    • Artist Statement
    • Curriculum Vitae
  • Available Works
  • Archives
    • 2019 Rooted
    • 2018 Maui
    • 2017 A New Earth
    • 2016 Love Is The Balm
    • 2016 Sunday Best
    • 2015 Spring Favorites
    • 2014 Meditations
    • 2013 After Paris
    • 2012 Anthropologie
    • 2011 Mr. Green Gold
    • 2010 The Forever Series
    • 2009 Truth Be Told
    • 2008 Surfacing
  • INSTRUCTION
    • What is Fearless Abstract Painting?
    • Workshops
    • Supply List
    • FAQ's
    • Testimonials
    • Transcript
  • Services
    • Commissions
    • Corporate Painting
    • Private Art Instruction
  • Contact
  • Blog