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Art piece for my son's room - recycle an old painting or buy a new canvas?

852 views 1 reply 2 participants last post by  amberskyfire 
#1 ·
I want to paint a treasure map for my son's room. I can either buy an old painting at the thrift store and gesso over it or just purchase a brand new canvas (50% off at Joann's this week). The advantage to buying the thrift store painting is that it's already framed (a basic, cheap frame from the 60's, but maybe I could paint it, too). But then, a new canvas might be easier.

The cost works out to be about the same, with the thrift store route being maybe $5 more.

Any thoughts? Has anyone tried something similar?
 
#2 ·
I majored in art in college!


Yes, you can paint over an old painting, but you have to know what the painting is made of. If it's an oil painting, you may have some issues. Oil paint never really fully dries and can cause problems if you are trying to paint over it with acrylics.

If it's an acrylic painting - go for it!
You can tell what it's made of by smelling it. An oil painting smells like oil paints and linseed oil.
 
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