How to Prime Canvas to Paint

Canvas that is freshly stretched, or raw canvas, is rough and cannot be painted on. Priming the canvas with a primer will fill all imperfections, smooth the surface and prepare it for either oils or acrylic paints. Store bought framed canvas (see picture) has already been stretched and primed, ready to be used.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Canvas
• Acrylic gesso
• Wide flat brush (width depending on canvas size)
• Water
• Dish

1. Buy a jar of "Gesso" or a bottle of "Liquid Gesso" that is suitable for either oil or acrylic painting. Gesso in the jar is thick-like white paste. Plop some into a dish, slowly add water and mix until the consistency is not too thin nor too thick. Liquid Gesso can be used as is. Gesso can be likened to a first coat of paint that smooths a canvas getting it ready for the artist.

2. 
   Use a large brush

   Use a wide clean brush, and apply the ''gesso'' directly to the canvas in an ''up and down'' or "side to side" pattern. Keep painting in the same direction, until the canvas is completely covered. Gesso dries fast so you want to work rather quickly.

3. Check the canvas after it has dried. If it does not look smooth or you have not covered it completely, give the canvas another coat of Gesso. A raw canvas can take as many as three coats before looking and feeling smooth enough to be painted on.

4. 
   Smooth and primed canvas

   Continue priming until the surface is completely primed. An improperly primed canvas can cause a painting to eventually fade or crack.

5. Make sure that you are completely satisfied with the look and feel of the canvas. Wash the brush ''thoroughly'' with soap and water and set aside. Use this brush (in the future) for priming, and not for painting.

Tips & Warnings

• Gesso is thick. It can be used directly from the jar, or mixed with water (a drop at a time) to get the consistency you need.
• Make sure that the edges and sides of the canvas are also smooth.

[nickneal7]

on 8/16/2009 nice.. i think i will have to start doing this because prices keep going up and i don't wannna be a starvin' artist