One important note is that graphite may become visible again after multiple layers of oil paint are applied over the top of it. The only way to fix the problem is to seal the graphite with workable fixative for better results. You should apply the fixative after the sketch is complete, but before any paint is added to the surface of the canvas.
Concepts 4+
Virtually limitless in its potential, Concepts is the perfect home for ideas big and small. Its infinite canvas is as capable for doodling as it is for diagramming, and support for layers and custom objects can transform a basic brainstorm into a detailed document.
Nerffan1 , 10/11/2023
Smooth App
I don’t write many reviews, since I never have time. But this app is so smooth on my iPad Pro. I actually just do light sketching for work (i study Physics), I don’t even need all its advanced features (e.g. layers, brush creation, etc.), but theres something about the automatic color palettes for your strokes that makes me feel I can quickly sketch something that I can understand (color coding for me is important), and I cannot do this on OneNote. I used it for one semester for note-taking, and it was quite nice, but I think sketching ideas is the best use for this app. The rules is very intuitive to use, and the best one I’ve seen in an app, and it’s something I need for my work (precise ratios u know); I wish the measurement setting was a bit easier to access rather than having to go into the same sub-menu over and over again, but I really appreciate what this app is doing. Though I don’t even need the pro version, I would love to get it just to support the developers (we’ll see).
I have rarely had issues and the rendering of the strokes is so much better than OneNote (I still admire OneNote, but I always feel my work looks ugly in it). The fact you can control smoothness of your stroke is another thing I love of this app (I would like to see a quick slider on the side, instead of having to go into the submenu evverytime, but still, it’s pretty decent).
I’m sure the UX can improve, though it will take time since it’s already so good.
SketcherX , 10/28/2022
Amazing app, one request on new update?
Concepts team, I am constantly stunned at how you just keep making this app better and better. It literally qualifies under “such a joy to use that it actually inspires me to want to go into it, and make things.” THANK YOU.
I do have one request in regards to the newest update, which is amazing: when I pull a drawing into a different “section”, I cannot pull that drawing out of that “section,“ (and then it is stuck there), and put it into a different section, the way you used to be able to grab any drawing/file and just hold to the left or right, and it would go into the differently swiped section when they were on separate pages.
It would be oh, so nice if I could take a drawing from any group, from any section, hold, and drag it up to “on this iPad,” and place it into a different section, or perhaps, long, pressing a drawing/file, and within that little drop-down menu, not unlike, say, Goodnotes, they would also be the word “move,” aside from just copy, allowing you to move it anywhere you..
Or is there a way to do this and I am somehow missing it?
Thank you again so much, I hope you are able to respond to this question, is the only thing that has been hanging me up just a little bit with the new update, but it is otherwise, so absolutely amazing. It is usurping Procreate for me in my professional capacity in many ways, particularly on the creative process flow, to be sure.
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Information
Seller TopHatch, Inc.
Size 163.2 MB
Category Graphics & Design
Compatibility iPhone Requires iOS 15.0 or later. iPad Requires iPadOS 15.0 or later. iPod touch Requires iOS 15.0 or later.
Languages
English, Finnish, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, Simplified Chinese, Spanish, Traditional Chinese
Can you sketch on canvas?
Yes! Though sketching on canvas is different than sketching on paper. Canvas is generally a much rougher, more textured surface and will be even more textured based on how thoroughly you have primed the canvas.
The completely unprimed canvas is very rough. This surface is better for charcoal or soft drawing pencils, as the soft graphite will catch in the hills and valleys of the canvas and leave bold marks behind. This type of canvas is excellent for large strokes but makes tiny details hard to accomplish.
A canvas that you have only primed a little bit also works well for this reason, as it still has a lot of texture.
If use a heavily primed canvas, you are better able to use harder and sharper drawing tools. That is because the gesso has filled in most of the gaps on the surface, leaving behind a smooth finish. You can even use ink on a canvas like this, and it will allow you to add small details to your canvas that you would not be able to accomplish with softer graphite or charcoal.
How to prime a canvas for sketching
You can buy a canvas that is already primed. But normally they are primed for painting and not for working with pencils or markers. So you might have to apply additional layers of gesso yourself.
It takes a bit of practice and patience to get a smooth surface on a heavily primed canvas. You will need to apply multiple coats of gesso and let each fully dry before applying the next one. Use a large, flat brush and bold strokes that are perpendicular to the strokes used in the layer underneath.
To get an even smoother surface, try lightly sanding each coat of gesso with a fine-grit sandpaper. This technique will give the next layer something to stick to and will smooth out the final layer. However, it is crucial to only sand a completely dry coat of gesso; you must also wipe off any debris before applying your next coat.
Spray gesso is a new technique that will produce a smooth result. You will still need several layers, but the benefit of spray gesso is there will be no rough brush marks left behind after you apply it to the surface of the canvas.
What’s the best pencil for sketching on canvas?
A sketch is usually meant to be a guide, which is ultimately covered by the final piece of art or final painting. This fact is true while sketching on paper, and also while you draw on the canvas.
Because of this, darker marks from charcoal and B grade pencils will be harder to cover up with your painting medium of choice. It will also be harder to get a more detailed sketch with these mediums, so you will have to make many choices without a sketch to guide your hand.
One potential benefit of this is that your marks will be freer and looser – a detailed sketch that you follow exactly might make your final painting seem stiff.
One last downfall of softer leads and charcoal is that it might smear. A blurry sketch will be harder to translate into a finished painting. It might also mean that the charcoal or graphite mixes with your pigment and muddies your colors, making for a dull final product.
With all of this in mind, H grade pencils tend to be best for sketching on canvas. They are much less likely to smear or leave graphite behind in your paint. And as an added benefit, their sharp points will allow you to add detail to your sketches. They will simply need a heavily primed surface to be the most effective.
Using erasers on canvas
Where there is sketching, there is almost always erasing.
When it comes to erasing your sketches, Jason Tako recommends a kneaded eraser. He notes that you must use some caution when erasing your sketches, as a hard eraser and firm grip can easily damage an oil-primed canvas.
How to transfer a drawing to canvas for painting
If you don’t want to sketch directly onto the canvas and instead want to transfer a drawing from paper to canvas, there are a few options at your disposal.
The most obvious choice is a dedicated transfer paper. This is paper that has a layer of charcoal on one side, and you begin by placing it flat on your canvas and tracing your drawing on the other side. The pressure from tracing transfers that charcoal to your canvas and leaves behind a faint sketch for you to then paint over.
If you don’t want to purchase a transfer paper, it is fairly easy to make your own. You begin by getting a blank sheet of paper and manually covering one side of it with charcoal. You then trace your drawing on the other side, the same as you would with transfer paper from the store.
One note of caution when choosing to make your own transfer paper: this version can get messy. Be sure to limit the pressure on the canvas from your wrist while tracing, as it is easy to smear charcoal using the pressure from your hand.
You can also use a cheap art projector and project your drawing directly on the canvas. But this works better if you are using a big canvas.
