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The size of your painting surface can affect how the content is communicated. Small formats draw the viewer closer to get a better look and create greater intimacy. I find them perfect for studies, quick experiments and daily paintings. Large formats, on the other hand, allow complex compositions and have an air of importance. If you want to paint a busy composition or an epic theme – think big!
When choosing the scale of your format, think about how the subject would look if it were painted small, or perhaps very large. Are you going to work life-size or oversized? I also advise to think about time – if you are painting outdoors, you might prefer not too large a surface because of the changing light.