Portable Supports

(Excerpts from ART HARDWARE: The Definitive Guide to Artists’ Materials, by Steven Saitzyk © 1987)

There are two types of portable supports-stretched and unstretched. A stretched support is a material, such as canvas, stretched over a frame or panel. Unstretched supports are plywood, fiberboard, particle board, metal, paper, board, and even canvas without a frame. The purpose of having a portable sup­port is to be able to move it easily from place to place. Therefore a support's most important characteristics are that it be lightweight, stable, and durable. Often these factors must be balanced among one another. For example, if the support is too lightweight it is often not stable. And, if it is made to be very durable it is often too heavy. Each situation is unique and requires its own balancing act.

Auxiliary Supports

Stretched Supports

Unstretched Supports

Questions regarding materials and the creative process will be considered a request for a consult and
may be sent to Steve@trueart.info Consulting services are available for a fee. 
Copyright © 2001 True Art
Last modified: 06/14/09