Importance of Support in Painting

The "support" is the surface on which the painting is made. This surface affects the strength, durability and texture of the painting. Different types of supports are used for different types of paintings. Canvas, wooden panels, paper, Masonite, metal, glass, leather etc. are used as supports.

Difference between support and ground

Support: The surface on which the artist paints.

Ground: The priming or base layer applied on the support, which gives better texture and durability to the painting.

For example paper for watercolor and plaster for fresco work as a support.

Main supports for painting 🎨 and their types

1. Fabrics - The oldest and most popular support 

• • Wooden panels became more popular for church paintings in medieval Europe.
  • When the scope of paintings increased during the Renaissance period, canvas started being used more.
  • From the 13th to the 15th century, the trend of pasting canvas on wooden panels increased in Italy.
  • Nowadays canvas is used by stretching it on wooden frames (Stretcher bars).

Fabrics used in modern times

• • Fabric made of glass fiber: It resists mildew, but it is a little brittle.
    
  • To maintain the strength of the canvas, a "re-lining" technique is adopted, in which another layer of fabric is pasted on the back.

2. Canvas - The most popular support

• Made of cloth, which is stretched and applied on wooden frames (stretcher bars).

• Being flexible, it is an easy and lightweight option.

• Oil, acrylic and tempera paintings can be made on canvas.

• Earlier Russian Linen and Cotton Duck canvas were used.

• The trend of stretched canvas increased in Venice in the 17th century.

3. Wooden Panel - The oldest support

Wood has been used as a support for painting for a very long time. During the 4th Dynasty (2600-2500 BC) of the Old Kingdom of Egypt, wooden sculptures were painted. Later, by the 6th Dynasty, easel painting had begun.

Uses of Different Types of Wood in History

Different types of wood have been used as supports from ancient times to the present. Each wood has its own distinct characteristics, which depend on its texture, durability and availability.

Main Woods and Their Uses

1. Beech, Birch, Larch, Maple, and Olive Wood

• • These woods were used in small quantities.
  • Beech and larch were used in some German paintings.
  • Olive wood was used in some Italian paintings.

2. Cedrus – Most popular in Egypt

• • This wood was used a lot for Fayum Mummy Portraits in ancient Egypt.
  • It was also used occasionally in Europe.

3. Chestnut – Popular for panel painting in Italy

• • Chestnut wood was used a lot in Italy for making wooden panels.
  • This wood is of medium hardness, which makes it good for painting.

4. Linden – Special for panel painting in Germany

• • German artists used linden wood for panel paintings.
  • Its surface is smooth, due to which colors can be spread easily on it.

5. Oak – Most used wood in Europe.

• • Flemish artists especially adopted it.
  • It is a strong and durable wood, which made it a better option for painting.

6. Pine – Most popular in Europe

• • Pine was the most commonly used wood for making panels in Europe.
  • Pine was often used in combination with other conifers.
  • Fir and pine wood are often confused because they look similar.

7. Poplar – Most popular in Italy

• • The Mona Lisa was also made of poplar wood.
  • Artists in Italy used this wood extensively.
  • In modern times, Tulip Poplar is more commonly used.

8. Sycamore – Special for Fayum mummy portraits in Egypt

• • This wood was most commonly used for Fayum mummy portraits in Egypt.
  • Its surface is light and durable, making it good for small paintings.

Conclusion of this section

Earlier woods like oak, birch, poplar were used. Tempera, oil and encaustic paints stick well on wooden panels. In modern times, engineered wood like Masonite is also used. Its advantage is that it is more stable and durable than canvas.

4. Paper - For sketches and watercolors

• Paper is the most suitable support for watercolors, charcoal, drawing and pastels.

• Thick and heavy weight papers (300gsm or more) are considered better.

• Gesso primed paper is also used for acrylic painting.

• Canvas board: This is made by gluing canvas onto a sturdy board, making it a cheaper and lighter option.

5. Masonite and other engineered wood

• This is a type of hardboard made by pressing pieces of wood.

• Good choice for acrylic and oil painting.

• Suitable for creating fine details as it has a smooth surface.

• Modern artists still prefer Masonite panels.

6. Sheet Glass – Painting on a transparent surface

Painting on glass is a unique and rare technique. Traditionally, stained glass was used in the windows of churches and historical buildings, where colored glass was added to the design. But apart from this, painting is also possible on ordinary glass, even if its surface is very smooth.

Characteristics of painting on glass

• • The surface of glass is very smooth, due to which the paint does not stick to it easily.

  • Special techniques are needed to stick the colors permanently on the glass, such as vitrification, in which the pigment is given heat treatment along with the glass.

  • While painting on glass, a special effect of light is seen, due to which it looks different from other surfaces.

Leonardo da Vinci's suggestion – Reverse painting on glass

Leonardo da Vinci suggested that such a painting should be made, which is seen from the other side of the glass.

• • This technique could help reduce the diffusion of light.

  • This could make colors appear deeper and clearer.

  • However, this technique was not widely used, and very few paintings of this kind survive today.

Limitations and Challenges of Painting on Glass

• • Paint is difficult to adhere to because glass has a very smooth and non-porous surface.

  • If the paint is not adhered properly, it can easily peel off or wear off.

  • Special glass paints or techniques (such as baking or etching) are needed to work with it.

Conclusion of this section 

Painting on glass is a unique art form, but it requires special techniques. Leonardo da Vinci recommended paintings viewed from behind the glass to make proper use of light. Although very few examples of this technique are found today, glass painting and stained glass are still used in modern times.

7. Metals – a less commonly used support for painting

Before the end of the 18th century, sheet metal was very expensive. Because of this, artists rarely attempted to paint on metal. In addition, it was difficult to coordinate the metal and paint layers because:

• Metal is flexible, which makes it easy to bend or dent.

• It was difficult to create a strong bond between the paint layer and the metal.

Copper was used in the 16th century

• • When copper sheets became cheaper, artists began to use it as a support.

  • However, written evidence of painting on copper dates to the 17th century, when other metals began to be used as well.

Iron – a less commonly used metal

• • In some cases, iron was prepared for painting by tin coating.

  • Its use was very limited and mostly for miniature paintings and coats of arms.

Conclusion

Painting on metal was historically difficult, as it was expensive and paint was hard to stick to it. When copper became cheaper in the 16th-17th centuries, artists began to use it as a support. Iron, however, was used very little, and only for miniature paintings or special designs. 🎨✨

8. Ivory – a great support for miniature paintings

Ivory does not only mean the tusk of an elephant, but also includes material obtained from the teeth of walrus and hippopotamus.

Painting on ivory in ancient times

• • Ever since Ancient Greece, artists have used ivory for painting.

  • It provided a smooth, durable and slightly shiny surface on which paint could be spread easily.

Ivory became rare in Medieval Europe

• • Its use declined greatly in the Middle Ages, as ivory was difficult to obtain.

  • Paper and wood were preferred during this period.

Return for miniature paintings in the 18th century

• • Ivory again became popular for miniature paintings in the 18th century.

  • This was because the use of transparent colours on it looked very good.

  • Artists used a unique technique to create light skin tones:

    • Intense red pigments were applied to the back of a thin layer of ivory.
    • This made the skin look pale pink and natural when viewed from the front.

Conclusion

Ivory painting was used from ancient Greece until the 18th century, especially for miniature paintings. Its surface was smooth and shiny, allowing translucent colors to be used beautifully. It became popular again in the 18th century, especially for miniatures and for depicting natural skin tones. 🎨✨

9. Plaster – The Ideal Support for Murals

Layers of plaster have been used to paint on walls since ancient times.

• • Evidence of painting on plaster dates back to the Paleolithic Era and prehistoric Egypt.

  • The types of plaster and the methods of its preparation were different in different places and periods.

Use of Murals in Modern Times

• • Plaster is still used to create murals today.

  • Artists follow age-old techniques such as fresco painting.

  • Special techniques are needed to permanently adhere colors to the surface of plaster.

Conclusion

Plaster has been used for frescoes since ancient times and is still in use today.

10. Leather – A Rare But Historical Support

Leather was used for painting from ancient times to the 17th century.

History of Painting on Leather

• • Pliny the Elder (1st Century AD) mentioned painting on parchment.

  • The use of parchment for illuminated manuscripts was very common in the medieval era.

  • Painting on parchment and leather continued until the 17th century, but was gradually replaced by paper and other supports.

Conclusion

Plaster has been used for frescoes since ancient times and is still in use today. Painting on leather and parchment was typical for manuscripts in medieval Europe, but its use declined after the 17th century.

Select support according to painting technique

Support for oil painting

• Canvas: This is the most commonly used as it is light and flexible.

• Wood panels: This gives more stability but is heavier.

• Masonite: This is used for fine details due to its smooth surface.

Support for acrylic painting

• Acrylic paint can be applied on most surfaces as it is more flexible.

• Also works on canvas, polyester fabric, glass fibre, metal, leather, glass and slate.

Support for Encaustic Painting

• Encaustic paint (wax based) does not stick to the surface, so it needs a rough and porous surface.

• It will not work on stretched canvas, but can stick to wood, metal and sculptures.

Support for Tempera Painting

• Tempera cannot be used on flexible surfaces, so it is applied only on wooden boards.

Why is it important to choose the right support?

• Durability: The right support keeps the painting safe for a longer time.

• Texture: Every support has a different surface, which affects the look of the painting.

• Flexibility: Some supports are flexible, while some are rigid, which affects the brush strokes and layers of paint.