I picked up and toned a bunch of cheap acrylic primed canvases a few weeks ago and I'm finding that they're really helping me alleviate the pressure of making a painting.  I highly recommend anyone who's going through some artist block to pick up a large pack of canvases and just have fun.  Of course, I prefer an oil ground linen (preferably Fredrix 125 DP Kent) but I feel a certain amount of anxiety that comes with painting on a really nice canvas.  I want it to be perfect and then it inevitably ends up way too timid and far from perfect and.
​  I don't feel this pressure when I use cheaper materials, I feel more confident because it feels like what do I have to lose?  I try to remember that my supplies are meant to be used and saving paint won't do me any good.

  Putting a nice frame on a finished painting is an amazing feeling and can really make a painting look even better.  Anyone looking for custom frames should check out Art To Frames, which has great custom sized frames in a wide variety of styles.  Most of the frames pictured below came from Art To Frames, except the last frame in gold, which I got lucky and found at a local goodwill.  
  I used to make my own frames so I really enjoy the hands on aspect of framing also.  It's pretty simple to put a canvas in a frame, you'll just need some basic supplies, such as hanging wire, hanging hardware and some offset clips (sometimes called mirror holders); these are important to hold the canvas into the frame.  I've seen some people drive a nail through the stretcher bar into the frame, DON'T DO THAT because it weakens the stretcher bar and cause some serious problems.
  Have a great week everyone!

  I made a short video to tell people about a special hammer for stretching your own canvas!  I had some confusion when I first bought this tool and I hope this video helps anyone who had the same trouble!

  I did another flower painting today outside just as the sun was coming out.  I'm really excited about these new paintings and I can't wait to do a bunch more!
 This painting and one from yesterday have an elongated format because I found some left over Fredrix oil ground canvas in my basement and it was a long shape so I stretched two canvases in that format.  I have to say that Fredrix oil ground canvas is my favorite.  I've used other pre-made oil ground linen before, but what I really like about Fredrix is that it has very nice texture (not too smooth).  I just ordered a new roll of Fredrix Kent 125 DP (double-primed) from Dick Blick and I'm planning on stretching some larger canvases once it comes this week!
  I also want to say that I encourage everyone to test out a bunch of different materials including canvas, brushes, mediums, paint, etc.  I've tried many different supplies and these are my own suggestions, which I share with everyone as a suggestion.  Go out and paint this week!