How to Prime a Canvas
Painting can be as simple or as complex as you would like it to be. To go the simple route, you can buy pre-stretched canvases at most craft stores that are already primed. However, some artists prefer to stretch their own canvases. If this is the case, the canvas must be prepared before you can paint on them. Priming a canvas is a pretty straightforward process.
- Difficulty:
- Easy
Instructions
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1
Mix your gesso. Stir it in the original container until it is pourable. Pour a portion into the plastic container and add water according to the instruction on the gesso container or to your personal preferences. If it becomes too thin, you can add more gesso.
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2
Stir the mixture well and make sure all lumps are gone. The gesso should be able to drizzle easily off of the stirrer while still clinging to it. If it's lumpy or doesn't drizzle easily off of the spoon, continue stirring and add more water if needed. Rinse the stirrer immediately.
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3
Dip the brush into water and squeeze out any excess water. Gesso dries quickly and this precaution helps to keep the gesso from sticking excessively to the brush, making clean up a bit easier. Do this before every coat.
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4
Start the first coat of gesso. Use long strokes and apply them all in the same direction. Prime the canvas in a well-lit area to check for uncovered areas. Smooth any drips or overlaps immediately before they dry. Allow the first coat to dry completely before adding the second coat.
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5
Wash your brush immediately with soap and water between coats. Remember that as the gesso dries on the canvas it's also drying on the brush. Rinse it out thoroughly to ensure all soap is gone before applying any further coats.
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6
Apply the second coat of gesso perpendicular to your first coat. Again, make sure to use long, smooth strokes and smooth out any runs or drips.
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7
Add any further coats according to your preferences. The more coats you apply, the smoother the finish. Keep in mind that this affects how your paint grips the canvas. You can begin your painting once the final coat has dried completely.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Be careful when you prime the sides of the canvas, making sure you avoid any overlap onto the front as much as possible.
While waiting for a coat to dry, cover the gesso container with plastic wrap. Do not return any used gesso to the original gesso container.
