Janet Bionda
http://janet-coloredpencil.blogspot.com/
Do Sharpies Work On Canvas? Find Out Here [FAQs]
Sharpies are permanent markers that are commonly used for writing and drawing on different types of surfaces. But, do they work well on canvas? This article will help you find out.
Table of Contents
What Are Sharpies?
Sharpies are a type of permanent marker that was first introduced by the Sanford Ink Company in 1964. They are known for their bold and vibrant colors and can be used on a wide range of surfaces, including paper, plastic, metal, and even fabric.
Yes, Sharpies can work on canvas, but it’s important to keep in mind that they may not be the best option for long-lasting artwork. The ink in Sharpies is not designed to withstand the harsh conditions that canvas may be exposed to over time, such as sunlight, moisture, and temperature changes. Additionally, the ink may fade or bleed over time, which can affect the overall appearance of your artwork.
How to Use Sharpies on Canvas
If you do decide to use Sharpies on canvas, here are some tips to help you get the best results:
- Make sure the canvas is clean and free from any dust or debris.
- Use a light hand when applying the ink to the canvas to avoid bleeding or smudging.
- Allow the ink to dry completely before adding additional layers or colors.
- Consider using a fixative spray to help seal the ink and protect it from fading or smudging.
- Use a fine-point Sharpie for more detailed work, and a thicker point for larger areas.
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Are Sharpie Pens Waterproof?
You might want to know: do sharpies bleed on canvas? The answer depends on how waterproof they are. The good news is that the ink that’s inside a sharpie doesn’t mix with water, so it won’t bleed. This is always the case using water-based paint. Not until you start using other paints that include solvents like turpentine used in oil paints can you see bleeding… This only happens if you’re using mineral spirits mixed into your paints.
The effect won’t ruin your canvas, though, because your paint pigment will cover any bleeding. It only starts to bleed if you’re using too much solvent in your paint. In that case, your oil paint will be too thin to paint with anyway. Watercolor and acrylic paints won’t make a sharpie pen bleed at all. In fact, the paint will most likely cover over the sharpie after a few strokes. This is why sharpie makes an excellent outline guide for creating your base colors.
Even if you decide to add sharpie lines on top of the paint, it won’t run or mix into previous layers. With that being said, you can relax more comfortably knowing that sharpie stays put after it dries. You can even use a sharpie on a canvas that has been coated with gesso. This is called priming and helps the fabric canvas appear smoother. When the gesso is dry, you can use a sharpie to sketch out your baselines. You won’t see any kind of bleeding from this method since sharpies work well on rough or smooth surfaces.
Unless you paint sharpie onto a paint that becomes liquefied, such as watercolor, it may bleed as a result. This is due to watercolor’s nature and isn’t as fixed to the canvas as acrylic paint will be. If you want to layer watercolors on top of each other and you’re adding sharpie lines, you’ll seal each layer. Use a UV resistant acrylic spray and lightly spray your painting. After that, you can go back and layer more watercolors on top with no bleeding.
Are Sharpies Waterproof on Canvas?
All sharpies used on any kind of canvas are waterproof, depending on the paint you’re using. With standard acrylic colors, these air dry and are pretty hard to re-liquefy. Even if you draw tracing lines over the top of acrylic colors, a sharpie line won’t run since its waterproof. But when you decide to use paints that can make sharpie turn back into a liquid, you have to be careful. Especially when solvents are used, that will make sharpies muddy colors or run.
This most significant problem is using any kind of water-soluble paint that’s dried is getting it wet again. If this paint isn’t sealed before with a matte sealer, it can start to lift and mix with the next watercolor layer added. And if you’ve made correction lines using a sharpie over the matte sealer, it won’t bleed. This is all due to your acrylic sealer that has fixed the previous layer, so it stays put.
It’s kind of like layers of sediment that will wash away if they aren’t glued to the canvas. A new watercolor that’s dried doesn’t have any kind of sticking power. Other than the pigment that’s dried there. So any sharpie that goes on top can wash away quickly if it’s not sealed first. I should also tell you that you should seal the watercolor first before spraying the acrylic sealer. The solvents inside the sealer might activate the sharpie and bleed accidentally.
Oil paint is another problem that will affect sharpie too if you’re using a solvent to smooth-out or thin your paints. This can be solved by using an acid-free varnish in between layers. It will not dilute or melt your sharpie, making it bleed on the canvas. Essentially this spray protects sharpies from bleeding using oil paint solvents. It also seals sharpie color onto the canvas, so it’s more waterproof so-to-say. Here is a link to that sealer:
Do Brush Pens Work on Canvas?
In reality, two types of brush pens are sold to artists. There is what is called a brush pen, which is a water-based ink marker that has an extended tip. It’s shaped like an artist’s paintbrush and produced thin to thick lines. It depends on how hard you apply pressure to the pen.
These come in all sorts of colors and can be used on a canvas that’s been primed with gesso. There is a problem with this type of color since its water-soluble.
This means it’s not waterproof and will bleed easily if you use too much water to blend colors together. This can be solved by being careful using a real paintbrush dipped lightly in water. The brush tip shouldn’t have more than one drop’s worth or less in the brush hairs. This is good for blending techniques. Seal in-between dried layers using an acrylic matt spray for layering.
The second type of brush pen is the Real Brush Pen, a water-based ink brush for artists. The advantage of this is that it can be used on dry canvas or dipped-in water to create watercolor effects.
This tool’s tip is made from nylon brush hairs, so it lasts longer than standard brushes. It’s meant for those who are serious about painting using watercolor on paper of canvas.
Because it works more like a paintbrush than a standard ink brush pen, it gives artists more painting freedom. It also comes in various kit colors that provide a wide range of vivid colors in each pack.
This one unique type of brush pen comes in sets containing 48 or 96 various colors. These, too, can be sealed using an acrylic spray coating between layers after they dry. I highly recommend that your canvas is sealed with 2-layers of gesso before using it. Click here to visit Amazon.
How to Draw Patterns with a Sharpie on Canvas
Most artists will like to seal their canvas with a gesso’s priming coat to seal out the fabric texture. Depending on the canvas’s grade, you might have to seal it a couple of times before you have a smooth surface to paint on. It’s always a matter of personal liking since some artists like a bit of texture.
But make sure this layer is totally dry before doing any painting. My personal experience using a sharpie on canvas used no gesso at all and looked great.
There was no bleeding effect, and the lines were sharp and defined. It was meant to look like an embroidered Hungarian wall hanging for our kitchen.
The effect looked so stunning most friends who saw it thought it was an actual embroidered canvas. So sharpie will hold its’ own even on raw canvas by itself. If you’re going to do any patterns or outlines using a sharpie for this next part, please be advised.
Be careful using sharpie lines next to each other, it can reactivate a neighboring color making it bleed. Pay attention to your lines and always start with a sharpie meant for thin tracing lines first.
This way, you can always go back with a Q-tip and some alcohol to quickly rub it off. If your lines are supposed to be thick, use a thicker sharpie after putting down your baselines. You should always wait until each layer is dry before making a line darker.
To seal off these sharpie lines, they aren’t in danger if you paint with oil paint and use the Pebeo varnish spray. If you can find an acid-free varnish spray that won’t ruin your sharpie colors or make them run, even better.
This varnish spray can be very liberal -so you won’t worry asking yourself: do sharpies bleed on canvas?’ In an alternate case, you can use a light spray coat is Krylon Kamar Varnish. It also comes highly recommended for sealing alcohol-based inks too.
Create Art With My Favourite Drawing Resources
General Drawing Courses. I like Udemy if you want to develop your knowledge of drawing techniques. Udemy is an excellent choice due to its wide range of creative courses and excellent refund policy. They often have monthly discounts for new customers, which you can check here. Use my link.
Sketching and Collage. Take a look at this sketching resource I have created. Use this link.
Proko. Is one of my favorite teachers who surpasses in the teaching of Anatomy and Figure drawing. Prokos course breaks down the drawing of the human body into easy-to-follow components aiding the beginner to make rapid progress. For this, I really like Proko.
Art Easels. One of my favorite ways to draw is by using a drawing easel, which develops the skill of drawing on a vertical surface. The H frame easel is an excellent vertical way to add variety to the style and type of marks you create when using a drawing board.
To see all of my most up-to-date recommendations, check out this resource I made for you.
Ian Walsh is the creator and author of improvedrawing.com and an Art teacher based in Merseyside in the United Kingdom. He holds a BA in Fine Art and a PGCE in teaching Art and Design. He has been teaching Art for over 24 Years in different parts of the UK. When not teaching Ian spending his time developing this website and creating content for the improvedrawing channel.
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Can I utilize a sharpie marker on canvas?
I actually do both. I sign with a sharpie marker (full name) on the back of the painting (on the part that’s attached to the cross bar) and will oil paint on the front. I agree with Shirley. Part of the painting is the look of the signature. I’m not sure how archival the sharpie is, so, who knows what’ll happen to the signature after 60 years of being in someones sunny living room.
Doug Hoppes Studio
http://www.DougHoppesStudio.com
October 16, 2011 at 8:37 am #1152882
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Thank you very much Shirley and Doug for your input! The only reason I was considering a Sharpie is because I don’t have a very steady hand. Sounds like it wouldn’t be a good idea. If I signed them with paint would I need to wait another 6 months to varnish?
Janet Bionda
http://janet-coloredpencil.blogspot.com/
October 16, 2011 at 9:08 am #1152879
Sharpie inks are made with dyes and solvent that is not archival. There are other brands of archival markers but they wouldn’t penetrate into the paint surface very well. Paint is the best way to go. I would at least wait a couple months before varnishing over it.
David Blaine Clemons
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October 16, 2011 at 10:23 am #1152891
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I personally sign the painting when I’m done with it. That way 1) If it sells before I have a chance to varnish it, my patrons still have my signature and 2) if it doesn’t sell before I varnish it, it’ll be pretty dry by the time that I do varnish it.
Doug Hoppes Studio
http://www.DougHoppesStudio.com
October 17, 2011 at 6:51 am #1152883
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Thanks David for clarifying that the info about the Sharpie marker and explaining why paint is the best option. Doug, it certainly is the right way to go to sign it as soon as it’s finished. I really wasn’t planing on varnishing and framing these paintings. I see myself as an artist in training and the painting I’ve completed as just practice pieces. I still have a long way to go but I paint sporadically so I don’t think I’ll be getting their any time soon. I really need to get more dedicated in order to improve. Thank you for taking the time to help!
Janet Bionda
http://janet-coloredpencil.blogspot.com/
October 30, 2011 at 9:57 am #1152881
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In local galleries I seldom see a signature on a painting any more. I have posted on this subject before, and the idea of not signing appears to have no legs on this forum. However, I think a painting does look better without a signature and I am glad it’s hip. Before the signature disappeared, artists stoped using dates after their sigmature; it appears to be the trend to sign and date the back.
October 31, 2011 at 7:25 am #1152884
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Thank you karenlee for the option! I think I’ll go that route.
Janet Bionda
http://janet-coloredpencil.blogspot.com/
December 31, 2011 at 3:06 pm #1152887
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What about signing with an oil stick? I’m thinking it should work even though they are regular traditional oils. What does everyone else think about this?
January 1, 2012 at 10:49 am #1152885
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I’ve never used them but that sounds like a really good idea. I’ll be looking into them as an option. Thank you for the suggestion.
Janet Bionda
http://janet-coloredpencil.blogspot.com/
January 1, 2012 at 2:36 pm #1152888
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There are actually oil paint pens available with several size tips; I have not found them to be worthwhile after the first use even though I was careful to clean the pen points well and cap them tightly. The pens are not expensive so I suppose one could wait and sign several dry paintings at a time, getting the best use of the pen while the paint is fresh. I used some in metallic silver for a metal tray painting because of the delicate thin lines that I knew would be difficult with even the finest brush ….. it worked very well. Just a thought though I personally prefer signing my name in the same paint I use in my painting.
