When I first wondered about painting on cardboard myself, I of course googled it…and now Google is sending some of you to *this* entry for info on ‘painting on cardboard.’ So here’s what I’ve learned from my experience with cardboard so far:
Artists have been painting on cardboard for over 100 years (e.g. this Picasso, 1900).
Cardboard’s main advantages in my opinion:
— It is non-precious. I find I paint more freely on corrugated cardboard than any other substrate. Even before I make the first brushstroke I feel like “this is an experiment.”
— It’s free! It’s abundant!
— I can work on an oversize piece of cardboard, and “crop” my painting with a knife after the fact.
— It’s already manufactured. I’m repurposing something that would otherwise be recycled or discarded. Zero carbon footprint.
— It’s immediate. Cut, paint.
— I like the way it takes paint. (I use heavy body, artist’s grade acrylics.)
— It’s fun to see what graphics may already be printed on it (see this painting for example) that I can leave visible.
— It’s lightweight.
— If it gets beat up a little on the edges or corners, who cares?!?
The best cardboard for painting is double thick; two corrugated layers sandwiched together. To find the best stuff, think of large/fragile/expensive items, and go to stores that sell them — electronics, bicycles, appliances. I’ve found that local bike shops are happy to save me their bicycle cartons.
Take a box cutter along to cut down the cartons for easier transport (as a courtesy I also haul away the leftover scraps and recycle them myself, so I don’t leave a mess for the shop owner).
Keep your cardboard stash dry, don’t store in a shed or humid environment. Avoid cheap pulpy cardboard (such as cartons for tools from Harbor Freight ).
For relatively temporary works (years, not decades) just paint right on the cardboard. It will be absorbent, which can be annoying or useful depending on your medium and intentions. Bare areas will be subject to fading, especially if displayed where sunlight strikes it.
To make it much less absorbent but still retain its cardboardy look, apply thinned down acrylic medium before painting on it; do both sides equally to minimize warping.
For more permanence, prime both sides with house primer, gesso, or acrylic medium. Give both sides an equal number of coats to minimize warping.
For grunge appeal, you can purposely tear off the top layer here and there to expose underlying corrugations, and/or leave some of the arrows, ‘this side up’ labeling, hand hold holes, big copper staples, UPC codes, and other original artifacts intact or partially painted over.
Tip for hanging cardboard paintings:

Cut scrap of cardboard and glue onto back of painting as anchor for a hanging wire or string. It’s surprisingly strong, and is in keeping with the cardboard theme. You can also make hang tags, title placards, portfolios to transport your cardboard masterpieces in, and so on, all from cardboard. Once you have large sheets of it laying around, all kinds of uses start popping up.
You can “reverse engineer” how to make a cardboard box by looking at an already-made one, draw a layout on a big panel, cut/score it, paint it, then fold/glue/staple it into a sturdy decorated box that will last for years with reasonable care.
I painted the self portrait (below) on cardboard, as well as the following paintings:
http://steveeichenberger.com/2011/03/23/positive-step/
http://steveeichenberger.com/2011/03/23/big-small/
http://steveeichenberger.com/2011/03/13/lyle-lovett/
http://steveeichenberger.com/2011/03/05/portrait-practice/
http://steveeichenberger.com/2011/03/05/more-practicing-on-cardboard/
That’s it for now…I’ll add more if I think of something else.
Good luck!
.
________________________
Following is my original entry under the heading “Painting on Cardboard” :
Self Portrait February 24 2011, freehand from a b/w photo I took yesterday
Acrylic on corrugated cardboard, slightly smaller than life size (area shown is 13 x 15, panel is 19 x 27)
Using just two colors of paint: Burnt Sienna and Unbleached Titanium White
We had a “snow day” today, many Portlanders stayed home from work. This painting is what I did with my snow day. No my hair doesn’t have snow on it, that’s just the color it has decided to be now that it’s grown up.
I enjoyed the process.
The product, however, is way more conservative than I’d like…it’s a baby step along the path of moving stylistically to where I’d rather be.
This is the most recent practice project in my current fling with attempting likenesses. I think the painting probably looks better than the subject, but since it’s a self portrait I’m not keen on posting the reference photo just to prove the subject looks worse than the painting.
Fast forward to 2025! Some of the links above may be moldy…following are fresher ones:
Cardboard as Canvas: An Exploration of Its Use in Early 20th Century Parisian Modern Art
The history of cardboard as a backing for oil paintings, particularly its prevalence in early 20th-century modern art in Paris and the use by artists like Picasso, touches upon a fascinating intersection of material innovation and artistic experimentation. The use of cardboard as an artistic support holds a notable place within the narrative of modern art, especially during a period of significant upheaval and creative exploration in Paris. This report aims to provide a comprehensive overview of this practice, drawing upon historical context and examples.
The story of cardboard as an art medium begins with understanding its origins and initial applications beyond the realm of art. The term “cardboard” itself has roots in the mid-19th century, with Anne Brontë using it in her 1848 novel.1 Initially, “cardboard” was a somewhat vague term referring to any type of heavy-duty paper used for various practical purposes.1 In Britain, during the mid-1800s, corrugated cardboard found its first application as a lining for gentlemen’s top hats, designed to absorb perspiration and improve ventilation.2 Across the Atlantic, in the United States, its utility expanded to packing lamps and other fragile goods.2 Commercial production of paperboard boxes began as early as 1817 with the English firm M. Tiverton & Son, followed by German manufacturers around the same time.3 These early boxes, made from thick paperboard, were first adopted in the transportation industry in France during the 1840s for carrying silkworm moths and their eggs.3 The latter half of the 19th century saw further innovations, with corrugated paper patented in England in 1856 and corrugated boxboard patented in the US in 1871 for shipping.3 These developments in the 19th century, making cardboard increasingly available for commercial use 3, laid the groundwork for its later adoption by artists seeking accessible and unconventional materials in the early 20th century.
Even before the dawn of the 20th century, paper and cardboard had begun to appear as supports for artistic endeavors, particularly for sketches and studies.4 Due to its flexibility, paper was not significantly used for paintings requiring rigid support, such as egg tempera or oils, before the 20th century.4 However, its absorbent qualities made it ideal for water-based media like watercolor, which has been almost invariably applied to paper since the Renaissance.4 Some artists, like Giovanni Battista Lusieri at the end of the 18th century, worked almost entirely in watercolor on paper.4 The 19th century witnessed improvements in paper manufacturing, making it available in larger sheets and rolls, further facilitating its use.4 While finished oil paintings on paper were limited, it proved suitable for plein air sketches, with artists like Pierre-Henri de Valenciennes and Camille Corot extensively using paper for this purpose.4 Cardboard, being a thicker and more rigid form of paper, also found its way into artistic practice during this period. Museums today hold paintings on cardboard that date back as far as the late 16th century.5 By the late 19th century, artists like Charles Conder, associated with the Australian Impressionist movement but who also spent time in Paris, were using large sheets of cardboard for oil paintings.4 The increasing availability and familiarity of cardboard, stemming from its growing commercial applications throughout the 19th century, likely contributed to its gradual acceptance within artistic circles as a viable, albeit unconventional, support.
The early 20th century witnessed Paris solidify its position as the global epicenter of artistic innovation. This period was marked by the emergence of various avant-garde movements, including Cubism, Dadaism, Fauvism, and Expressionism, all of which challenged the long-established norms and traditions of the art world.7 This environment of radical experimentation fostered a climate where artists felt increasingly liberated to explore unconventional materials and techniques.1 The traditional hierarchy of materials, which often favored costly supports like stretched canvas, began to be questioned.1 Cardboard, with its utilitarian origins and humble nature, became an appealing alternative for artists seeking to break free from these conventions.1 Its easy availability, malleability, low cost, and potential for upcycling made it an attractive option for artists navigating financial constraints or those wishing to make a statement through their material choices.1 The very act of using such a commonplace material could be seen as a challenge to the perceived preciousness of traditional art and an embrace of the everyday, aligning with the philosophies of movements like Dadaism.1 Furthermore, the structural properties of cardboard, such as its flatness and ability to be cut and assembled, resonated with the artistic aims of movements like Cubism, which focused on fragmentation and the representation of multiple perspectives.8
Within this vibrant Parisian art scene, Pablo Picasso stands out as a pivotal figure who extensively utilized cardboard in his artistic practice.
4.1 Early Use of Cardboard in Paintings (1900-1907)
During his formative years in Paris, particularly between 1900 and 1907, Picasso, like many of his contemporaries, often faced financial hardship.9 Living in the artists’ quarter of Montmartre, he frequently resorted to using readily available and inexpensive materials, including “throwaway cardboard,” as an alternative to costly canvases.9 This economic necessity played a significant role in his early adoption of cardboard as a painting support. A crucial moment in Picasso’s early career in Paris was his 1901 exhibition at the prestigious Vollard Gallery.10 For this significant show, Picasso employed cardboard as the support for many of his works.10 The choice of cardboard was not solely driven by its lower cost compared to canvas; it also offered the practical advantage of drying faster, allowing Picasso to produce a larger body of work within a limited timeframe for his Parisian debut.10 Art critic Felicien Fagus even noted Picasso’s remarkable productivity during this period, suggesting he completed around three works a day, although this might have been an exaggeration.10 Among the works from this period that utilized cardboard as a support are notable examples. “The Fourteenth of July (Le quatorze juillet)” from 1901 is documented as oil on cardboard.11 Another painting from the same year, “Old Woman (Woman with Gloves),” also employed cardboard as its base.12 A self-portrait by Picasso from 1901 is also recorded as being painted on cardboard.13 Furthermore, “Margot (Waiting),” painted in 1901 and exhibited at the Vollard Gallery, is specifically identified as oil on cardboard.9 Picasso’s willingness to use cardboard for such an important exhibition early in his career indicates that he was not averse to employing unconventional materials for presenting his artistic vision to the Parisian art world. This decision, partly born out of necessity, also reflects a broader artistic climate in Paris where experimentation and a departure from traditional practices were gaining momentum.
4.2 Cardboard in Picasso’s Cubist Explorations and Sculptures
Picasso’s innovative spirit extended beyond painting to the realm of sculpture, where he again embraced cardboard in groundbreaking ways, particularly during his exploration of Cubism. The early 1900s, coinciding with the rise of Cubism, saw cardboard emerge as a notable art medium, with Picasso’s “Still Life with Guitar” becoming a celebrated example of this trend.14 This work, created around 1912, marked a radical departure from the traditional methods of carving or molding in materials like bronze, wood, or marble.8 Instead, Picasso constructed his “Guitar” from humble materials such as cardboard, paper, string, and wire, cutting, folding, threading, and gluing them together to create a three-dimensional representation.8 This innovative approach aligned perfectly with the core tenets of Cubism, which sought to represent objects from multiple viewpoints and break down traditional notions of form and perspective.18 The “Guitar” constructions, both the original cardboard version and its later iteration in sheet metal, effectively demonstrated the formal considerations of Cubism by presenting the different planes of the instrument in a three-dimensional arrangement within real space.18 The use of flat planes of cardboard to build up the form of the guitar mirrored the fragmentation and assemblage characteristic of Cubist painting.8 As Picasso himself explained, these cut-up pieces, differentiated by color to represent perspective and planes, could be assembled to create a “sculpture”.18 The cardboard “Guitar” was not an isolated instance of Picasso’s use of this material in three dimensions. He also constructed other open-form works from cut or found pieces of cardboard 22 and even painted on vessels and created sculptures from cardboard.24 This consistent engagement with cardboard in his sculptural endeavors highlights Picasso’s willingness to push the boundaries of traditional art forms and explore the expressive potential of everyday materials.
4.3 Expert Perspectives on Picasso’s Cardboard Works
Art historians and conservators offer valuable insights into Picasso’s motivations, techniques, and the significance of his cardboard pieces, revealing that these works are not merely byproducts of financial constraints but integral to his artistic innovation. Scott Gerson, a conservator who has studied Picasso’s “Guitar” constructions, challenges the long-held view that the 1912 cardboard version served simply as a preliminary model for the 1914 sheet-metal “Guitar”.25 Gerson’s analysis suggests that Picasso likely disassembled the cardboard guitar to create paper templates for its various elements, some of which might have even been incorporated back into the sculpture.25 This perspective elevates the cardboard “Guitar” beyond the status of a mere maquette, highlighting its role in Picasso’s exploration of originality and the process of replication.25 Jeffrey Weiss further emphasizes Picasso’s intention for the “Guitar” to be a prototype that could be reproduced, underscoring the artist’s radical ideas about the ephemeral nature of art.25 The fact that the cardboard “Guitar” remained disassembled for decades until its acquisition by MoMA reinforces this notion of material instability and the work’s existence beyond a singular, fixed form.25 Beyond the “Guitar,” studies of Picasso’s paintings on cardboard also provide important information. An investigation into Picasso’s 1905 painting “The Acrobat Family” on cardboard revealed the inherent fragility of this support, noting its acidity and signs of degradation.26 This highlights the conservation challenges associated with these works, emphasizing the need for careful preservation to ensure their longevity. The use of cardboard by Picasso, therefore, was not just a practical choice but a deliberate engagement with the material’s properties, pushing the boundaries of artistic expression and challenging conventional understandings of art’s value and permanence.
While Picasso is perhaps the most renowned artist associated with the use of cardboard in early 20th-century Paris, he was not alone in this experimentation. Several other artists working in the city during this period also turned to cardboard as a viable painting support, reflecting a broader trend within the modernist movement. Dada artists, known for their embrace of the unconventional and everyday, also utilized cardboard in their artistic creations. Marcel Janco, though primarily active in Zurich during the height of Dada, created famous Dada masks from cardboard, which were used in performances at the Cabaret Voltaire.1 Kurt Schwitters, another key figure in Dada, employed cardboard in his large-scale installation “Merzbau” in Hanover, demonstrating the material’s potential for monumental constructions (though Schwitters was based in Germany, Dada had strong connections to Paris).1 Amedeo Modigliani, who spent significant time in Paris, also used cardboard extensively throughout his artistic production, particularly for sketches, smaller compositions, and personal works.27 Félix Vallotton, a Swiss artist associated with the Nabi movement in Paris, utilized gouache and oil on cardboard as early as 1897, as seen in his work “Street Scene in Paris”.28 Edouard Vuillard, another prominent member of the Nabis in Paris, employed oil on cardboard for his painting “Luncheon” in 1901.29 Louis Legrand, working in Paris around the turn of the century, created an oil on cardboard portrait of an elegant woman in 1900.30 Maximilien Luce, a Post-Impressionist painter active in Paris, used oil on canvas mounted on cardboard around 1910 for his depiction of floods near the Pont Neuf.31 Pierre Bonnard, also a key figure in the Nabi movement in Paris, frequently painted on cardboard or wood during his early career around 1900.32 Even artists with connections to other movements or locations, like Charles Conder, who was part of the Australian Impressionist movement but spent time in Paris, used cardboard for oil paintings as early as around 1888.4 While primarily associated with Munich, Wassily Kandinsky exhibited paintings on cardboard alongside canvas, suggesting a broader acceptance of this support within early 20th-century avant-garde circles that had connections to Paris.33
The motivations behind this widespread use of cardboard were likely varied. Beyond the economic factors that drove Picasso’s early adoption, cardboard offered other advantages that resonated with artists of the time. Its non-precious nature, as noted by a contemporary artist, might have encouraged a more experimental and less inhibited approach to painting.34 The abundance and ease of obtaining cardboard, often from discarded packaging, further contributed to its appeal.1 The ability to easily cut and crop cardboard allowed for flexibility in composition.34 For some artists, the act of repurposing a discarded material aligned with the artistic philosophies of movements like Dada, which challenged bourgeois values and embraced the everyday.1 The table below summarizes some of the key artists mentioned who utilized cardboard as a painting support in early 20th-century Paris:
| Artist’s Name | Brief Description/Artistic Movement | Specific Work(s) on Cardboard (if mentioned) | Approximate Date(s) of Cardboard Use | Snippet ID(s) |
| Pablo Picasso | Cubism, early period | The Fourteenth of July, Old Woman (Woman with Gloves), Margot (Waiting), Guitar | 1900-1912 | 8 |
| Amedeo Modigliani | School of Paris | Sketches, small compositions, personal works | 1906-1916 | 27 |
| Félix Vallotton | Nabi | Street Scene in Paris | 1897 | 28 |
| Edouard Vuillard | Nabi | Luncheon | 1901 | 29 |
| Louis Legrand | Art Nouveau | Portrait Elegant Woman | 1900 | 30 |
| Maximilien Luce | Post-Impressionism | Floods near the Pont Neuf (oil on canvas mounted on cardboard) | c. 1910 | 31 |
| Pierre Bonnard | Nabi | La Place Clichy, early works | c. 1900 | 32 |
| Roma | Unknown | Paris Le Moulin Rouge | c. 1900 | 49 |
| Charles Conder | Australian Impressionism | Herrick’s Blossoms | c. 1888 | 4 |
| Marcel Janco | Dada | Dada masks | Early 1900s | 1 |
| Kurt Schwitters | Dada | Merzbau (installation incorporating cardboard) | Early 1900s | 1 |
| Wassily Kandinsky | Expressionism, Blaue Reiter | Paintings exhibited alongside canvas and glass | 1911-1914 | 33 |
While cardboard offered numerous advantages for artists, its use as a support for oil painting also presented technical and archival challenges that needed to be addressed to ensure the longevity of the artwork. Unlike traditional canvas, cardboard is inherently acidic and can absorb oils from the paint, potentially leading to degradation of both the support and the paint film.35 To mitigate these issues, proper preparation of the cardboard is crucial. One common method involves sealing the cardboard with a substance like shellac.39 Shellac acts as a barrier, protecting the painting from the natural acids in the cardboard and preventing the oil from seeping into the material.39 Following the sealant, applying gesso is a recommended step.39 Gesso, a mixture of chalk, binder, and pigment, creates a receptive surface for the paint to adhere to.39 For oil paintings on cardboard, applying multiple layers of gesso, often at least four, is advisable.39 Some artists also suggest sanding the gessoed surface between coats for a smoother finish.39 While these preparatory steps are important, the inherent nature of cardboard means that artworks on this support might still be more susceptible to environmental factors compared to paintings on canvas.36 However, despite these potential issues, history offers examples of artworks painted on cardboard that have endured for significant periods. Edvard Munch’s iconic painting “The Scream,” with one version executed in oil, tempera, and pastel on cardboard in 1893, has lasted due to careful preservation.34 Museums around the world also hold paintings on cardboard dating back centuries, indicating that with proper preparation and care, these works can indeed have longevity.5 Contemporary artists who choose to paint on cardboard often employ meticulous methods, using double-walled cardboard, multiple layers of paint, acrylic gel mediums for adhesion to wood supports, and protective varnishes to enhance color and guard against light and moisture.5 These practices demonstrate a continued awareness of the technical considerations involved in using cardboard as a lasting artistic support.
In conclusion, the use of cardboard as a painting support in early 20th-century Parisian modern art was not an anomaly but rather a significant aspect of the era’s artistic landscape. Driven by a confluence of economic necessity, a spirit of experimentation, and a desire to challenge traditional artistic norms, artists like Picasso and many others embraced this humble material. Picasso’s groundbreaking use of cardboard in his Cubist constructions, particularly the “Guitar,” exemplifies the innovative spirit of the time, pushing the boundaries of sculptural form and material. While cardboard presented technical challenges for oil painting, artists employed various methods of preparation to enhance the durability of their work. The story of cardboard in Parisian modern art serves as a compelling illustration of the movement’s broader themes: a willingness to embrace the unconventional, to find artistic merit in the everyday, and to redefine the very definition of art. For the reader seeking further information, resources such as the Picasso Experts website 43 and the extensive body of work by renowned Picasso scholars like John Richardson 44 and Diana Widmaier Picasso 45 may offer deeper insights into Picasso’s specific techniques and motivations for using cardboard.
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This is just what I needed! Great article. I have some transparent gesso. But I’m so excited to know the possibilities.
THANK YOU — I just started some drawings on Cardboard and found your page VERY Helpful … Thank You
David
Thanks for dropping by, Amanda. Yes, to me, the main benefit of painting on cardboard was to help free me up artistically. I did, however, sell some of those experimental paintings–at low prices befitting the substrate. I’ve also given many of them away to family & friends…all unframed. Try a few and see what response you get; some customers may actually prefer the quirkiness and earth-friendliness of artwork on cardboard.
So I’m very late to this party, but really appreciate the article however I’m curious the archival ness of such practice. I feel like this is for personal/experimentation correct? I think I’d be unsure of selling a work to a customer on cardboard lol. But hey who knows. Anyone with experience here? Did you frame it?
You’re welcome! Best of luck on your artistic journey.
Thanks. You opened my eyes! Now I can do endless studies and plein air sketches on these.
Thank you (and you’re very welcome) the last several of you above who’ve left comments! I’ve been doing more 3D than 2D since I posted this entry, but I’m in the midst of experimenting with some non-representational sculptural forms on which I plan to paint with acrylics, so I’ll be brushing up on my painting skills again. The Munsell system has helped rescue me from analysis paralysis when it comes to color…maybe I’ll do a blog entry on it sometime.
Love the article and all the comments. Your information is great and I will be using it for sure. Working on a project where we’re making over sized mask to hang for an auction (part of the theme) and the only thing I could think of to make them that large and cheap… CARDBOARD. I work at a shop that makes metal items and found we had a lot of LARGE cardboard pieces. All the company was doing with them (for the most part) was recycling them. So I got a bunch and now I’m getting ready to base coat them with silver latex paint (air compressed spray gun).
But wanted to add to the comments, If you’re in an area where there is metal fabrication shops around, stop in and ask them if the have any large pieces. I’m sure if they do, they’ll let you have them. The ones I got as an example, 4′ x 18′, yes 4 feet by 18 feet, not inches. they’re massive.
Thanks for all your suggestions and keep up the great art work. LOVE IT!
Adam
Great article! I teach secondary-level art and I’ve completed a few paintings on cardboard…including a replica of Munch’s “The Scream” to exact scale. To hang it, I cut pine “stretcher bars” to size then used wood glue to adhere the wood bars to the cardboard. Works great and it also keeps the cardboard flat as it tends to curl over time. It also allows you to place it in a frame or floater frame.
Great portrait! Interesting to see how the board texture gives it a different life.
I ran out of canvas board the other day and couldn’t get to a store so after reading about an American artist saying he often paints on cardboard, and he’s professional, I decided to give it a go. I was wondering how to prime it or gesso it and found a tin of 100% Acrylic primer in the shed, coincidentally, as I’m decorating an old house I moved into. I painted five sheets of cardboard cut to size, one left with a jagged edge, painting both sides equally a few times. I had fun! Now the challenge is to paint it with my acrylic paints!
I love the idea of how to hang them, because framing is so expensive, it’s out of my reach right now.
Thank you so much for the great information and blog post.
Best place to get large cardboard (and even some boards – but pine) is from a Rural Outlet. Most chemicals are wrapped in serious cardboard. There is no issue about leakage, so go for it. They will be glad to be rid of the wrapping. Cheers Bruce
Holy Toledo! Your artwork is astounding!
Steve: Great information and I do like the portrait. Thanks.
Hi Steve – and thanks for the feedback! I should have stressed that I was using cardboard signs we collected during local election season.. (They say “elect so and so” on one side, and are blank white on the other side which I paint on (they are pretty sturdy) – since they have to withstand being on side of the road at election time. My husband collects the 2 x 4s to use for building projects, and I have repurposed the signs because they can’t be used again. (Its all legal, we have permission). : ) I have been having some difficulty painting pale colors, like flesh tones on them though since its not real absorbent, and covering up my sketch lines underneath. But anyway, since you mentioned plastic, there are also sheets of some left-over building material we got from the home center for our remodeling project that is actually a plastic product, recycled from plastic bottles, etc. and is impervious to damage that wood is. I think its called polycarbonate but not sure. It has a slight wood grain look – though it is white – so I am planning on using these leftover pieces to paint on too – but it is a lot heavier than cardboard! I really like the idea of painting on different types of materials instead of the typical canvas, especially if its just lying around. In my eccentricity, I tend to collect all kinds of objects that I think I can turn into an art project, But I just love that other folks have discovered that cardboard is a handy surface to paint on.
Thank you for the tips, and the encouragement! Jean .
Jean, I haven’t painted on corrugated plastic, but I’ve worked with it before and think it’s cool stuff! I don’t blame you for trying to figure out a second use for it. ‘A solution looking for a problem’ as I like to call such things 😉
Some options:
— Find spray paint made for plastic gutters & downspouts at your local home center, and try it as a primer (don’t inhale).
— Thoroughly sand the plastic surface with about 60 grit sandpaper until you can see no glossiness left when viewing it at a low angle. Test paint with acrylics. See if that’s permanent enough for you.
— Maybe re-think how to use your plastic sheets — perhaps use them as support for cardboard paintings by attaching a cardboard sheet to your plastic sheet around the edges with rivets or something.
— Experiment with graffiti paints, which are made to not come off anything!
Have fun! (And if painting on plastic stops being fun, don’t stop painting — just find some cardboard!)
I’m so glad to find out others are doing this, and how cool to find out some old masters used this method! I’m painting portraits and having trouble with the flesh tones, (mixing pinks, browns, and yellow). Am copying an old painting on the back of old discarded political signs – the backs are white. (I have a bunch of these old signs lying around and trying to make use of them). It is slightly slick on the white side and my paint is not going on the faces well. I am using acrylics and/or water color for lightness of texture, rather than oil. I forgot to use Gesso because I was so anxious to start painting. I am mainly doing this for practice and to make use of the materials – but the paint is not adhering well to the faces and of course, the watercolor drips if you aren’t careful. Also can see the corrugated lines underneath – but it adds an interesting dimension (as in your example above) to the painting up close. You said you use heavy body acrylics and no Gesso) I had to wipe off the faces and start the color over again a couple times. Still not right though. (However, the good thing about using cardboard of this type is it wipes clean if you mess up.). I love that someone else is doing this! Your portrait is impressive! Thanks for any tips. : )
Thank You so much.Your artwork is splendid and so is your blog!
I didn’t use gesso, because I always wanted the cardboard to show in the final paintings. If you do use gesso, apply it to both sides equally to minimize warping.
Hello. Do you use Gesso on the cardboard
you’re welcome!
Thanks this site has helped me a lot with my homework
Aloha, Steve
Someone gave me 3 cartons of 8 1/2×11 CB and I figured I would use them for acrylic painting. I googled my question and there you were, an answer from heaven, where the CB came from! Yeah, really! I love to recycle! Do you suggest diluted gesso or buy a quart of flat paint? My CB is light weight, brown one side and white on the other, one thickness. Since I have around 200 pieces, I could glue 2 pieces together for serious painting. I have more coming that some company is trashing. Thanks so much!
-Liz
Thanks, Everett! Nice find at Ikea. 3-1/2′ x 5′ would make a bold statement — have fun!
Steve, I was indeed searching for tips on prepping cardboard for Acrylics. A friend and I went to Ikea a few days ago and I noticed that they have these awesome 3/4 to 1 inch thick cardboard “mats” between the boxes of furniture on the pallets. We purchased some book shelves and I scored two 5′ X 3.5′ cardboard mats that each have at least one good face on them.
I like the idea of prepping with latex/house primer. That’s what I’ll go with. I’ll probably run with the cheapest paints and primer. Thanks for the ideas!
Also, great art work.
thanks for your note, jorengp! i’m glad you found the info helpful.
no, i had not realized that one of munch’s four versions of ‘the scream’ was painted on cardboard. thanks for telling me.
wikipedia says it was oil, tempera and pastel on cardboard, painted in 1893.
a friend recently gave me a cool birthday gift — a bicycle carton in good shape 😉
Awesome helped a great deal! Are you aware that Edvard Munchs original painting “The Scream” is painted on cardboard? It has lasted the test of time (of course due to careful preservation) but nonetheless it’s still alive!
I always had a desire to paint. Recently, I saw paintings that a co-worker did on cardboard and I was impressed. Today I decided to Google this, and came across your article. Even though I do not know what you look like, your self portrait is in opinion “Great Job!” I hope I can accomplish something this good!
Roseanne
you’re welcome, ingrid —
your own work is what art is all about, IMHO…a universal language that can help us express “bigger” topics/emotions/concepts than words could ever do, as with your powerful piece “DrossierKeen.”
best to you in your artistic pursuits!
steve
Thank you so much for the tips and experience you share on painting on cardboard. I pain a lot on bookbinding cardboards, they are thinner and more even, and most of the time they only need a layer of primer and they are good. Mostly they are 3mm and 2.5mm thick. Cardboards are what I paint on the most because I never liked the thick frames on most stretched canvases, and they are a steal for the price!
rokk art: thanks for your comment. i’ll answer your questions via email.
been painting on CB for about a year-you can check my paintings at etsy-site name is rokk art. iam having a difficult time trying to price my work. your thoughts. havent found too many CB painters so if you have some links/email address i would be most appreciative.i find your self portrait inspiring..
You’re welcome, Jrome. Regarding cheap: cheap bristle brushes are great, free cardboard is great, but cheap paint can be discouraging to try to paint with… I use high quality Utrecht artist grade paints, buying them by the pint to keep the per ounce cost lower (vs tubes). Have fun learning to paint!
(less than $1 apiece cheap brushes I like: Loew Cornell 1801 12-Piece Brush Set, Bristle, Flat)
Thank you so much for this article, I’ve just started painting and want to work with the lightest and cheapest materials possible. I love your self-portrait as well!