Is it normal for artists to be obsessed with a thought?

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4 Comments

I have a Fredrix oil-primed linen canvas but it doesn't state whether or not it is triple-coated on the description. I saw another oil-primed linen canvas by the name of Vincent's which is TRIPLE-COATED but it is very expensive; damn near $43.00! Absolutely ridiculous price and right now I'm thinking to myself that it must provide for a high quality painting experience. In the description it says that the canvas is SMOOTH and this fixation on the smoothness of the canvas is making me wonder what it's like to paint on. Do you think this is a little obsessive?

This is a question for anyone with knowledge of oil painting. Is it common for artists to coat an oil-primed linen canvas with an extra layer of gesso if it is not triple-primed or do most artists just start drawing on it right away even if it isn't triple-primed? Since it does not state if the canvas is triple-primed on the one I have would you add another layer of gesso or not? I need your opinion.

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84% Normal
Based on 19 votes (16 yes)
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Comments ( 4 )
  • Freedom_
    8 years ago

    You're still obsessing over this? There are so many other things in art to obsess about - concepts, technique, perception, etc. I take my time picking out paints, brushes and sometimes surfaces, but that is such an infinitesimal part of the process in comparison. Just paint dammit!

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  • thegypsysailor
    8 years ago

    I think by definition artists are obsessive people. The really talented ones I've known just don't go through life like most people. The more talented they are the more incapable of handling many of life's most common details they seem to be.
    A breed apart, I have no doubt.

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  • Justnerdyme
    8 years ago

    It's normal. As painter we have to be very careful in what we choose. Every detail is as important in leading to the outcome of a piece of art. It's like a story if there was letters missing it wouldn't make sense. If it was a puzzle then it wouldn't be complete. Don't stress though, the answer will reveal its true colours on a canvas. Try experimenting first. That usually helps me.

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  • ShadoClone
    8 years ago

    "Making me wonder what it's like to paint on."

    Completely normal for an artist. Sometimes it can become an inhibiting ritual to do something a certian way but to think in depth about the canvas, the paints, and the tools you use is all apart of what you do to build up to the final part where you actually work on something. To you every stroke counts, every single angle you move your hand, and the line that you make down to the millimeter that the paint is touched so it's only natural to think about what something tells you.

    Reseearch a few famous artists. THere was one who only painted 3 dots on a piece of art in an entire month.

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