How to Prepare a Canvas for Oil Paints

Before you can begin painting on a canvas, it must be properly prepared with primer. Acid in the paints can cause the canvas to deteriorate if this important step is not followed. Gesso or a similar ground supplies a uniform color, texture and level of absorbency to the canvas that makes it ideal for painting.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Gesso
• Plastic cup
• Plastic knife
• Gesso brush
• Canvas
• Soap

1. Shake or stir your gesso well. Pour some into a plastic cup, about 8 ounces or larger. Add a small amount of water to thin the consistency. Stir well with a plastic knife.
2. Moisten the bristles of your gesso brush with water.
3. Dip the brush into the gesso/water mixture. Dip until you cover halfway up the bristles. Wipe the bristles against the sides of the cup to remove excess gesso.
4. Brush the gesso across your canvas. Make sure your brush strokes all go in the same direction, either side-to-side or up-and-down.
5. Push the bristles of the brush into the canvas to get even coverage. You may occasionally use circular motions to gently grind the gesso into the canvas. Work quickly to avoid getting a rough texture as the gesso dries.
6. Wash your gesso brush immediately with soap and water.
7. Place the painting on a flat surface and allow the first coat of gesso to dry for an hour. Once it's dry, smooth the texture with a piece of find sandpaper. Wipe up the residue with a cloth before continuing.
8. Start a second coat going either straight up-and-down or side-to-side (whichever motion you didn't employ the first time).
9. Wash the gesso brush again so it won't be ruined by dried gesso, which won't wash out.

Tips & Warnings

• Gesso brushes should have soft nylon bristles about 2-inches long. They typically come in widths of 2, 3 and 4 inches.
• Whether you choose to sand the gessoed surface depends on your painting preference. An extra smooth surface works well for painters who use a lot of detail.

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