When painting on canvas, the best way to fix a problem is to stop working and ask yourself: “Do I understand the problem?” It is easy to paint in circles, trying to fix mistakes that you don’t understand. But, if you don’t, you may end up overworking your canvas and not getting the results you want. So, how can you restart redoing a painting on canvas?
The first step is to take a look at the original painting. If it is not finished, you can start afresh by re-mixing the paint and applying a fresh coat of varnish. However, you must keep in mind that the painting will be uneven if you try to paint over a varnished surface. In this case, the paints will not glide smoothly or work well.
The second step is to scrape off the old paint with a palette knife or a thick piece of paper. Another option is to use a soft cloth to scrape off the paint. Remember to keep the cloth away from wet areas as you don’t want to damage the canvas. If you are painting with oil, you can add linseed oil to the cloth to remove the excess paint. If you use acrylic paint, you can add water to the cloth. Remember that it is important to keep the cloth only slightly wet because the liquid can run down the canvas.
If you don’t want to take down the painting before you start the new one, you can reuse the old one as a study. It can be a valuable learning tool for your next painting. Don’t forget to recycle the old canvas and stretcher bars. By recycling the old one, you can save money and help your painting get done again. So, if you need to fix a painting on canvas, don’t be afraid to start afresh!
