Didn’t work on it much today but I have been looking at my paint/colour options if I go with the artist canvas upcyling. Normally I prefer paper, which is why these canvases are largely unused. I was experimenting earlier this year with spray painting canvas -
Left with the wings is silver spray paint on an acrylic background, right is spray paint on spray paint with the canvas peeking through (wax was involved).
Small strip between them is acrylic ink, which I was testing since I usually use it with paper. It binds fine, and it’s thin enough to bend without cracks but any paint splatter or stains show through (important bc some of the canvases are Like That).
Straight acrylic is somewhat flexible too, though can easily add bulk with more layers.
Environmentally these are only options because I already own them - practically I’m not sure how daily use will wear them down.
Spray paint I think I’ll cut out because unless there’s a sudden heat wave in December in [redacted] it’s way too cold to paint outdoors and it’s incredibly unsafe indoors.
Sidenote: trying to balance “healthy” with “eco-friendly” is incredibly difficult. I was researching non-toxic eco paints earlier and was unsettled how many concentrated on non-toxic binding methods, while just saying “natural pigments”.
Natural does not mean safe, especially in the art world. ESPECIALLY with pigments. Historically, some things that have been used as pigments: arsenic, uranium, lead, Egyptian mummies (which is obviously a whole other kettle of Wow Let’s Not). Most of these are no longer used for obvious reasons, but there’s still plenty of pigments you have to be really careful not to breathe in or touch, and yes - including Natural ones.
So I’m not discounting paints marketed towards being eco-friendly AND non-toxic but if I’m going that route I’m going to do my research.
Sorry for the sudden TL;DR, whoops.
