Canvas Painting Painting Techniques and Brushwork 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is 'underpainting' in canvas painting?
- A monochromatic base layer establishing values before color is added (Correct answer)
- Paint applied underneath the canvas
- A sketch drawn in pencil on the canvas
- The first coat of gesso
Correct answer: A monochromatic base layer establishing values before color is added
Underpainting is a single-color foundational layer that maps out lights, darks, and composition before full color painting begins.
Question 2: Which brush type creates soft, blended edges most effectively on canvas?
- A soft filbert or fan brush (Correct answer)
- A stiff hog bristle brush
- A palette knife
- A flat synthetic brush
Correct answer: A soft filbert or fan brush
Soft filbert and fan brushes gently blend paint edges without harsh lines, ideal for smooth transitions.
Question 3: In the 'fat over lean' rule for oil painting, what does 'fat' mean?
- Paint mixed with more oil (flexible) (Correct answer)
- Paint applied thickly without medium
- Paint diluted with solvent
- Paint applied first in the process
Correct answer: Paint mixed with more oil (flexible)
In oil painting, 'fat' refers to paint with a higher oil content, which is more flexible and must go over leaner layers.
Question 4: What is 'dry brush' technique in canvas painting?
- Dragging a nearly dry, paint-loaded brush across a textured surface (Correct answer)
- Painting without any medium
- Using brushes that haven't been wetted with water
- Applying paint in a single layer
Correct answer: Dragging a nearly dry, paint-loaded brush across a textured surface
Dry brushing uses a bristle loaded with minimal paint dragged quickly over the surface, creating broken, textured marks.
Question 5: What does 'blocking in' mean in canvas painting?
- Establishing large areas of color without detail in the early stages (Correct answer)
- Preventing paint from mixing with adjacent colors
- Masking areas with tape
- Covering the entire canvas in one color
Correct answer: Establishing large areas of color without detail in the early stages
Blocking in means applying broad areas of approximate color to establish the composition before refining details.
Question 6: Which technique involves pressing a textured material into wet paint to create surface interest?
- Stamping or texturing (Correct answer)
- Sgraffito
- Glazing
- Scumbling
Correct answer: Stamping or texturing
Stamping or pressing materials like cloth, sponge, or bubble wrap into wet paint creates unique textural impressions on canvas.
Canvas Painting Painting Techniques and Brushwork 2
What is 'underpainting' in canvas painting?