How to Make Canvas Sealers
A sealer, also known as a primer, is a layer of material that is applied on a canvas before painting. The sealer covers the pores of the canvas so the material will be less absorbent. It also makes the canvas soft, so that the colors adhere better to the surface. Gesso is the most commonly used sealer in painting. In the past, gesso was prepared with chalk and animal glue. However, water-based gesso is equally efficient. You can prepare gesso at home to prime your canvases.
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Things You'll Need
- Dust mask
- Color pigments
- Powdered chalk
- Hide glue or rabbitskin glue
- Measuring cup
- Bowl or bucket
- Wood stick
- Jar
Instructions
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Prepare the glue. Hide glue typically comes in powdered or granulated form. Put one part hide glue to 15 parts water. Allow it to soak for 12 hours. The granules will absorb water and will become softer.
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Mix equal amounts of color pigment and powdered chalk in a bowl or bucket, depending on the quantity you want to prepare. Measure your ingredients using a cup.
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Measure glue to equal the amount of chalk or pigment you used. Mix the same amount of glue by volume, not by weight. Heat up the glue until you notice that the granules are melted. The solution shouldn't boil because this affects the strength of the glue.
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Pour the glue into the bowl and mix continually until the paste is homogeneous. Check for bubbles and tap the container on the sides to eliminate these.
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Apply the gesso on your canvas while it is still warm. Ideally, you should prime all your canvases while the solution is warm. If you have many canvases to seal, put parts of your gesso in jars and place them in hot water to prevent it from cooling down.
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Tips & Warnings
Typically, artists use titanium or zinc white color pigment, but you can use other colors as well if you prefer to have a colored canvas to paint on.
Canvases primed with gesso are suitable both for acrylic and oil painting. Apply up to five coats of gesso on your canvas, allowing each coat to dry.
Don't inhale any color pigments or powdered chalk. Wear a dust mask while handling these materials.
References
Resources
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