Note: If you are using a larger canvas like I did, you might want to put a few towels in the back of the canvas in between the wood and the canvas. Wood (optional if you want to frame your canvas).Acrylic Paint and Paint brush (optional – if you want to paint your spackle after it dries).Putty Knife or Palette Knife Set or Plastic Knife (see Tools to Use).It’s helpful because it has a dry time indicator, it goes on pink and dries to white. Spackle – I used a 32 oz container of Dap Drydex – the same stuff you use on drywall.These appear lighter and less crisp, but can give a great atmospheric quality. Although it isn't as popular, you can also use watercolors on canvas.Oils are toxic and have a smell, due to the use of turpentine to thin the colors. It will yellow over time as the oil oxidizes. The color of the paint remains the same when it dries. The oil can degrade the linen or cotton fabric of the canvas. They blend well and make easy transitions between colors. The extra drying time makes it harder to make crisp lines. Oil paints allow longer working times because they take longer to dry.Acrylics also come off brushes with water. They are also non toxic and have no smell. You can use super thin or thick layers because the paint will dry all the way through. They don't change color over time, but they appear darker when they dry on the canvas.

You can get a defined edge, but color blending is hard. It can be difficult when you are mixing paint and painting on large surfaces. This can help if you want to do many layers or apply crisp lines. You should weigh the pros and cons of each and decide which is best for your project.

The one you choose depends on what you want to paint and the way in which you want to paint it. There are two major types of paint used on canvas, oil and acrylic.

Easy 3d painting on canvas