Yes, you can use interior house paint on canvas, and according to some accounts, it works pretty well under certain conditions.
Using House Paint on Primed Canvas
While interior house paint isn't specifically designed for use in fine art on canvas, it has been used by artists, particularly for projects where cost or specific effects are desired. Based on available information, specifically from a source dated 06-Mar-2016, house paint works pretty well on a primed canvas.
Here's a breakdown of why and where its use might be considered:
- Effectiveness: It's noted that interior house paint is usually fairly opaque and lightfast, meaning it covers well and resists fading when exposed to light.
- Cost-Effective: It can be bought in bulk for a fairly inexpensive price compared to artist-grade paints.
However, there's a significant caveat to consider:
- Longevity Concerns: The main problem is that house paint is not designed for painting on canvas. Because of this, its longevity and archival quality can vary greatly. It may become brittle over time, potentially cracking or peeling from the flexible surface of the canvas.
Key Considerations
If you are considering using interior paint on canvas, keep the following in mind:
- Priming is Crucial: The reference specifically mentions using it on a primed canvas. Properly priming the canvas with gesso creates a stable surface for the paint to adhere to and can offer some protection to the canvas fibers from potentially damaging components in the paint.
- Purpose: Consider the intended purpose of the finished piece. For casual decorative pieces, crafts, or experimental work, the variable longevity might be acceptable. For professional artwork intended to last for generations, using artist-grade paints formulated for canvas is generally recommended.
Using interior paint on canvas is possible and offers advantages like opacity, lightfastness, and low cost, especially on a primed surface. However, artists should be aware of the potential variability in longevity compared to paints specifically formulated for canvas.
