How to Prep a Canvas With Gelatin

Canvas preparation with gelatin sizing will help protect against paint soaking through.

Preparing a canvas for painting is a necessary step that many artists use to help preserve their work. Canvas preparation is a two-step process that involves the application of sizing, followed by a ground base to seal the canvas and prepare it to receive the paint. While traditionalists may choose to use glues made from animal skins for sizing, gelatin is a relatively inexpensive, easy-to-prepare alternative.

Things You'll Need

• 1 tsp. gelatin
• Small cooking pot
• Large paintbrush
• Raw canvas, stretched

Instructions

1. Set stove to medium heat.

2. Pour 1 cup water and 1 tsp. gelatin into the cooking pot.

3. Set the pot on the stove to heat until the gelatin has melted and fully dissolved into the water.

4. Use a large paintbrush to apply the gelatin sizing evenly to each raw, stretched canvas that you want to use, coating both the front and back of the canvas thoroughly. Apply a minimum of three coats of sizing, letting each coat dry fully before applying the next.

Tips & Warnings

• Sizing will not only seal the fibers of the canvas, it will help shrink and stretch it on the frame, producing a taut, even painting surface.

• Once the sizing is dry, a ground base such as gesso should be applied to add texturing and ready the canvas to accept the paint.

• Cooking on a hot stove always has a potential for danger, so use caution.

• Avoid contact between the heated gelatin and your skin; gloves are a good added precaution during the preparation process.

References

• ArtisTree Crafts: How To “Size” (Prepare) Your Canvas for Painting
• True Art: Sizing
• True Art: Definitions

Resources

• Nancy Doyle Fine Art: Painting Lesson 1: Stretching and Preparing a Canvas
• Art Is Fun: What is Gesso?