Painting on Canvas for Beginners: How to Get Started Step by Step

Painting on canvas may seem like something only experienced artists do, but getting started is easier than you think. In this guide, we’ll show you which canvas to choose, what you’ll need, and how to paint your first picture step by step, including with kids.

Which Canvas Should You Choose to Get Started?

A stretched canvas is the best choice for beginners: it’s stretched, gesso-primed, and ready to paint. Choose a smaller format, such as 20 × 20, 24 × 30, or 30 × 40 cm. You can finish the painting in one afternoon, and a smaller surface is easier to learn on.

• ECO Canvas – 100% cotton, 305 g/m², double-primed, and less expensive. Ideal for first attempts and school.
• PROFI Canvas – 100% cotton from Italy, 370 g/m², double-primed. Choose this if you want your painting to last and look good on the wall.
• Canvas Board – less expensive and lightweight, for practice and studies.

Compare all our canvas ranges on the canvases page. We make the frames and stretch the canvas in our own workshop.

What Do You Need to Paint on Canvas?

• Acrylic paints – the best choice for beginners: they dry quickly, thin with water, and wash off brushes and hands while wet. To get started, you only need white, black, and the three primary colors (yellow, red, and blue), which you can mix to make other colors. Browse our acrylic paints.
• Brushes – one wide flat brush for the background, one medium-sized brush, and one thin round brush for details. Synthetic brushes work best with acrylics.
• A palette for mixing paints. Find one among our palettes and accessories.
• A cup of water, a paper towel, and a pencil for sketching.

Do You Need to Prepare the Canvas Before Painting?

A store-bought stretched canvas is already gesso-primed, so there’s no need to prime it. You can start painting right away. If it’s loose or has a dent, apply a little water evenly to the back with a brush or spray bottle, then let it dry. As it dries, the canvas will shrink and tighten. Find more methods in our guide, How to Tighten a Loose Canvas.

How to Paint Your First Canvas Step by Step

1. Choose a simple subject. Abstract art, a sunset, the sea, a simple landscape, or a flower are good choices to start with.
2. Make a light sketch in pencil, using only the main shapes and no details.
3. Paint the background. Use a wide brush to cover large areas, such as the sky. This first layer is called the underpainting. Learn more in our article Painting Techniques to Know by Heart.
4. Let the layer dry. Acrylics dry quickly, often within half an hour when applied in a thin layer.
5. Add medium-sized areas, then details with a thinner brush. Paint light accents and reflections last.
6. Sign your painting and let it dry completely. If you want to protect it, find out whether varnishing a painting is necessary.

For more on working with the paints themselves, including thinning, mixing, and layering, see our article How to Work with Acrylics.

What Mistakes Do Beginners Make When Painting on Canvas?

• Too much water in the paint – the paint becomes thin and won’t cover well. Use only a little water to thin it.
• Painting into a wet layer – the paints mix together and turn muddy. Wait for the layer to dry.
• Starting with details – paint the large areas first, then add details at the end.
• Dried paint in the brush – keep brushes in water while you work and wash them as soon as you finish painting. Here’s how to clean brushes properly.

How to Paint on Canvas with Kids

Give kids a smaller, less expensive canvas so they feel free to experiment, such as one of our canvases for kids and schools: an ECO stretched canvas, canvas board, or mini canvas with an easel. A finished small painting makes a great gift, decoration, or magnet.

• Cover the table with newspaper or plastic wrap, and have the children wear an old T-shirt.
• Acrylic paints can be washed off with water while wet; once dry, they won’t wash out of clothing.
• If a child wants a ready-made motif, try paint by numbers. Find more ideas in the article Painting with Kids.

When Should You Paint on a Black Canvas?

Neon, metallic, pastel, and light-colored paints stand out on a black canvas, giving the artwork a dramatic, modern look. It works well for flowers, night skies, pouring, and trendy motifs. Light paints sometimes need two coats on a black surface. You can buy a ready-made black canvas or paint a white canvas black before you start.

We carry black stretched canvas on a frame in PROFI and ECO, in a roll and as a canvas board.

Which Acrylic Paints Are Best for Beginners?

To get started, student-grade paints in smaller tubes are enough, such as a set of basic paints. Once you know which paints you use most, buy them in a larger pack or in professional quality. Browse the acrylic paints category.