A reader asked about why I sometimes stain the canvas and how I determine what color to use for the stain.
I wrote about this a few years ago but it’s a common question so I’ll revisit it.
It’s harder to judge your colors when painting on a bare white surface. Every color looks dark compared to white.
Staining the canvas “kills” the white and provides a more level playing field to paint on. It allows you to more accurately judge your light and dark colors.
If you’re struggling with color, this is probably the best “quick win” available to you. I remember it being quite a profound moment when I did it for the first time.
The benefit of it will diminish as you hone your judgment. I find myself staining the canvas less and less these days, particularly for high-key scenes. But you can’t go wrong with it.
As for what color to use for the stain, it doesn’t really matter. I prefer earth tones like raw umber, burnt sienna, and yellow ochre. But any color will do. Just be careful with highly saturated colors like the cadmiums. They can be overpowering (and expensive) for a stain.
You should also give consideration to the overall color theme of the painting. Burnt sienna might play well with a dry landscape, but a cool gray might be more suitable for a dramatic seascape. Doing this gives you the option to leave parts of the stained canvas exposed in the finished painting.
Happy painting!
Dan Scott
drawpaintacademy.com