The supply list is short: a canvas, permanent markers and alcohol. You may have all of these things on hand already.
Can I use sharpie pen on canvas material?
Regardless I think from now on I will avoid Sharpies altogether and stick with acrylic ink and paint just to be on the safe side!
August 4, 2020 at 8:50 am #1320604
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I’d be worried about the Sharpie bleeding through, as well. Why not use thin acrylic paint to write on your information, or better yet, write it on the wooden stretcher bar?
I don’t like canvas boards – haven’t used them in 25 years – but I suspect you’re right. I can’t see anything bleeding through the card to affect the canvas.
Might be a good idea to avoid scrubbing the back of your canvas with alcohol to remove the Sharpie, as it could affect the acrylic after working its way through the fabric.
To write on the back of watercolor paper, just use pencil.
August 4, 2020 at 9:41 am #1320613
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Thanks for the reply. I have learnt a lesson the hard way here.
So, I tried the alcohol on a unfinished piece and it got rid of some initially but the rest won’t come out. You are right; this is best avoided. I also tried it on watercolour paper and not only does the writing not come out but you can now see it on the other side. Again, you are right: pencil or acrylic ink would’ve been better here.
Oh well, at least I won’t do it again.
Good to know the boards are likely okay. I actually prefer hot-pressed paper and only like really smooth canvases but I stopped getting the latter as I have limited storage space. I am doing some bigger pieces but only have an A3 drawing board hence the canvas boards.
My main concern at this stage is I have two canvases that I have used marker on the back of. Given they have gesso, layers of acrylic, isolation coat and then a top layer of removable resin varnish:
- Is the marker likely to make its way through to the top layers and, if so, does it happen in days, months or years?
- If it does make it through is it removable? If it takes years to get through I could just paint over it.
I’m annoyed with myself as one of them is my first still life and I was really pleased with it.
August 4, 2020 at 4:33 pm #1320713
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If you paint fairly thick and used a gesso it should be fine. Acrylic is pretty tough stuff that dries into a latex/plastic skin that even sharpie ink will find hard to get through especially with multiple layers.
Sharpie does fade over time so your painting should be alright.
I use acrylic and a fine liner to write on the back of canvases.
August 4, 2020 at 11:45 pm #1320786
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Thanks, Virginia, that is very reassuring.
Having searched a fair bit now I can find a lot of warnings against using Sharpies but no actual stories of it making its way right through. I always have several layers of paint so it is fairly thick as you say.
I’ll stick to acrylic ink from now on but I think I’m reassured now, thanks!
August 6, 2020 at 10:40 am #1321310
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If you asked an art conservator – my guess is they would say it is best to not put anything on the back of stretched canvas to avoid issues later one.
August 7, 2020 at 5:25 am #1321562
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If you have used the sharpies before the acrylic gesso cured (not dried.. but cured) then thereis a good chance some color from the sharpies will be moved by the acrylic itself to higher layer.
Acrylic is very stable.. AFTER it has cured. That takes a few weeks usually (you know it had happened because the paint layer seems to get thinner and all the little impastos and textures of the surface have shrunk in height). Until that happens the acrilic molecules move a LOT while setting and they drag other smaller molecules along ( and acrylic molecules are absurdly huge molecules so they can drag almost anything)
“no no! You are doing it all wrong, in the internet we are supposed to be stubborn, inflexible and arrogant. One cannot simply be suddenly reasonable and reflexive in the internet, that breaks years of internet tradition as a medium of anger, arrogance, bigotry and self entitlement. Damm these internet newcomers being nice to to others. “
“If brute force does not solve your problem, then you are not using enough!”
August 7, 2020 at 5:31 am #1321565
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That’s good to know, thanks. In both cases where I’d used it on canvas the acrylic had definitely cured as I finished them both months ago.
If you asked an art conservator – my guess is they would say it is best to not put anything on the back of stretched canvas to avoid issues later one.
That’s the safest bet and definitely painting with oils on the back doesn’t sound like a good idea. Since you can use acrylics on an unprimed canvas you would assume it is okay to use acrylic paint/ink/markers on both sides without issue.
I’m going to carry on putting notes on the back thinly with sepia acrylic ink since it seems safe to do so but will definitely leave the Sharpies alone from now on.
August 10, 2020 at 4:14 am #1322703
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I’ve read a discussion on wet canvas, 3 years ago (2017) in this “Acrylics” forum, where a member wrote about the problem with Sharpie markers, especially for the base sketch.
My father (architect) did use Sharpie markers for several years. I remember some years later the ink penetrating and spreading through the paper, even on the back of think heavy weight papers (say 160 g/m2).
I don’t think you can remove Sharpie’s ink from a paper or canvas with alcohol, because it is a porous material. The alcohol (or acetone or other solvent) would penetrate the porous material even more, spreading the diluted ink further. So, I’m afraid it can do things worse. I would only think to some chemical that would react with the ink to discolor it. However that chemical could interact to the painting or canvas material. I’m not chemist or color specialist, so I can’t go further. Of course, avoiding Sharpies from now on for this use is a good precaution.
Emmanuel
C&C welcome
August 10, 2020 at 5:07 am #1322718
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On gallery wrapped canvas, I will write on the canvas that is attached to the stretcher on the back where the staples are any notes I want to place, or on the bottom. Or I’ve also written on the stretcher. If they replace the stretcher that’s on them.
“Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working.” –Picasso
August 11, 2020 at 4:06 am #1323053
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The alcohol (or acetone or other solvent) would penetrate the porous material even more, spreading the diluted ink further. So, I’m afraid it can do things worse
I tried this on watercolour paper and you are absolutely right, the alcohol makes it much worse and also made the it show through. It didn’t do that kind of damage on the canvas but it didn’t really get rid of the marker either so don’t bother with alcohol.
My opinion now is better to avoid the Sharpies and use acrylic markers, acrylic ink or acrylic paint with flow and/or water. These are more long-lasting than pencil and I saw some photos on this forums of stickers damaging the canvas.
Can You Use Markers on Canvas?
You can use paint markers, alcohol-based markers, water-based markers, and oil-based markers on canvas. The material will take in the inks of all these tools, and they will give you brilliant results.
Using markers on canvas will not damage the fabric or the pens themselves. And you can write, draw, or color on the material as you would with ordinary paper.
Each type of marker, however, has its advantages. It is essential to choose them with this in mind. To help you, we have a list of the marker types below. Continue reading to explore each in more detail and make your call.
Markers to Use on Canvas
1. Paint markers
These top of the list when it comes to canvas writing, drawing, or coloring. They are quite easy to use and can lay down very rich pigments. Their opaque colors will also dry fast on canvas. Thus, you do not have to worry about smudging or smearing.
Plus, these markers are permanent. You can preserve your impressive canvas art without hassles.
- POSCA acrylic paint markers for canvas
- Tooli-Art 30 acrylic paint pens
- Penguin Art Supplies dual tip acrylic paint pens
2. Alcohol-based markers
These are markers like Sharpie. They can resist water, making them particularly great for canvas. Permanent marker on canvas can last long if not scrubbed and scoured by solvents.
As with paint markers, alcohol-based ones are not difficult to use. They also come in many tips, shapes, and sizes, as well as colors. So, you can let your creativity run wild when using alcohol markers on canvas.
If you do not want to use Sharpie on canvas because you cannot be sure if Sharpie bleed on canvas, you can consider Copic markers and Prismacolor markers. These are two popular brands worth trying.
3. Water-based markers
Washable markers and pens like POSCA pens can be used on canvas too. They are typically chosen for kids to use, as they are not as expensive as other writing tools and can be cleaned more easily. You can use water-based markers and pen on canvas as you do on other surfaces.
A few reliable examples of these markers for canvas painting, drawing, coloring, and writing are:
- Washable Crayola markers on canvas
- POSCA water-based pen for writing on canvas
- Tombow water-based brush pens
4. Oil-based markers
Oil-based markers are another great option for canvas. They will not wear off or fade easily, even if they are exposed to sun rays. These also dry quickly and can be used in conjunction with other tools, like oil-based paints.
However, oil-based markers can be tricky to clean up. You might not want your little ones using them. They also tend to contain toxic components. If you do decide to use them, make sure your working space is well-ventilated.
Some good oil-based markers options that artists can count on are:
- Artistro oil-based permanent paint pens
- AROIC oil-based paint pens
- EKKONG oil-based permanent paint markers
How Do They Work on Canvas?
1. Paint Markers
The key to using these markers on canvas is proper priming. You must activate them before use, prime them along the way, and clean them when you are finished.
In general, you would have to cap the markers, give them a shake for several seconds, then press their tips against paper to get the ink flowing.
These markers should work fantastically on canvas. They should produce bold, brilliant lines and be easy to use.
2. Alcohol-Based Markers
Like paint markers, alcohol-based ones should work easily on canvas. They do not need to be primed, so you will not have to go through any hassles.
However, some permanent markers with alcohol-based ink can bleed when they are used on canvas. To avoid this, try to get markers that have thinner tips. On a different note, these markers might not appear too vibrant on canvas.
3. Water-Based Markers
Water-based markers appear opaque on canvas. They can be used along with other tools, like alcohol-based markers. These types work exceptionally well on gessoed canvases. Moreover, they are the go-to options for water-based canvases.
4. Oil-Based Markers
You can use these markers on canvas just as you would with other pens. However, they tend to encounter clogging issues, disrupting smooth ink flows. On canvas, this is more difficult to fix. So, it is recommended that you look for oil-based markers with big nibs.
Like I said, it’s magic
I love how the second one turned out. Like I said, it’s magic.
Next time we are going to try tilting the canvas so the alcohol drips down from the top to the bottom which would give a whole different effect.
So many ideas, never enough time!!
I’m eager to see pictures of your creations. Have fun creating and conversing. Those are precious moments together.
Enjoy!
If you try this craft, let me know! Go ahead and leave a comment, rate it, and tag a photo with #WelcometoNanas wherever you post.
