Quick Tip 353 - The Perfect Canvas Size

What is the perfect canvas size? That question was posed to artist/art teacher Dianne Mize and she sets the record straight.

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[Mr]

Thank you Diane I love all you videos I learn a tip each time

[susantoper]

I was in the National Gallery in London earlier in the year, and saw some beautiful floral Dutch still life paintings. I had assumed from photos I had seen of them that the paintings were at least A3 size but they werent. They were half the size but the artist had had managed to get such wonderful detail into even the tiniest flower. They were truly amazing.

[annmarielopiccolo-carlsen]

Great tip about determining which size canvas is best to paint…..I always enjoy hearing the sage advice of, ‘you decide what is best for you….there is no perfect size……there is no wrong choice!’

Merry Christmas, Diane!

[doberchic]

I just love you. You're so awesome. Lovely energy.
Also I greatly admire all you do, one thing in particular is your treatment of leaves on trees. Perfection.
Love to you and yours.

[davis]

Thanks for the tips and all the help you offer.

[billknudson]

Merry Christmas, Diane! I love your sensibility, your wit, and forthrightness in setting the record straight for those watching. You have great insight on so many subjects concerning the range of questions your viewers ask. Thank you for sharing your time and experience with us! May God continue to bless you with good health for many more years to come!

[deborah]

Merry Christmas Diane. I've enjoyed over the years watching your informative videos.

[tonym]

Thank you for thank, I often hear paint BIGGER and it stresses me out. Your video made me realize when i'm ready to go big i will not before. Thanks again

[ijacharles]

Thank you so much for your videos they make my day

[CarlottaART]

Excellent advice! Thank you Dianne…Merry Christmas!!

[mrsnrub]

Funnily enough, I live about an hour or so away from The National Gallery in London, and walk past it virtually every Saturday on the way through to the West End. Guess what? I've never ACTUALLY been inside!

[BeIlG]

such helpful info. so smart to go through something that seems quite simple, but in such clear perspective and carful way. thank you very much!!!❤️

[triggerfish]

Thanks Diane. I think in the UK Fine Art students (the ones that paint, that is) are told to 'go big', as it’s one of the hallmarks of a professional artist. From my own perspective smaller canvases are easier to complete in a shorter time (I.e. as in plein air) but the subject matter has to work. The problem with big canvases is what to do with them, if one isn’t selling them… This is why I paint on paper (oil blocks etc)…I can pin out the larger support on a board and it’s easier to store. Maybe some will be kept later on but who knows. At a recent workshop another student asked me… and what do you do with all the paintings? Very good question. It’s something that bothers me a bit. Bigger canvas is fun to work on…but then what to do with it afterwards…😀

[deborahapostolou]

As always, an informative and amazing tutorial. Thank you for taking the time to post them. I'm sure that I'm not the only person that always learns something after watching them. So, thank you again. I'd like to wish you and those you love, a very Merry Christmas and nothing but health and happiness for the year to come!! 🎄❤🎄

[Msannamitta]

Its whatever you think. It doesn't matter, you paint in what size you want. Right now Im working a pretty large canvas but before I stretch and gesso it Im sketching out my ideas. It helps me understand how its should turn out or make changes which always happens before I put a make on it. I love the paintings by the old masters i learns so much and it helps me to look at what they did. So yah work in the size you want. Interesting topic and I always look forward to your videos.

[AmieDorvil]

I'm a fellow painter I needed this information.Thank you Ma'am

[missh_a]

Your lessons are the best,

Can you talk about what's more important the skill or the idea behind an artwork/ painting?

[ralphhancock]

If you are selling your painting, making it larger makes more sense. You earn proportionally more money with a large painting - assuming that you don't have to work much longer on the larger version, which often is the case.

[chompers]

another helpful AND entertaining video, thank you

[bobbytirlea]

I so far sold (commissioned) one oil painting (portrait), and it was... well not big (24*30cm) for my standards. I have done many things in my not too long life so far, and as I paint two or three paintings a month, I am not spoiling them by selling any, or going commercial as with other artistic things I've done in the past. The drawback with large is, that I have a problem with storing them, as the canvases are not smaller than 60*80 cm, and my preferred size are 70*90 and 70*100 cm be it landscape or portraiture. It is true, for I do much impasto, that large canvases will eat all the paint up, and without one using some (for example PW18) extenders could really make one broke. People usually choose smaller, because it is more affordable and yes, it could be hung on the wall anywhere. Smaller paintings are just as fascinatig as large ones, but I think, the large ones have that WOW factor in plus. The important thing, however, is to paint and paint.