How to Prepare Canvas for Oil Paint
A painter's canvas must be primed before oil paints can be applied. Acrylic gesso, a polymer paint, is applied to a canvas so paint has a firm base to stick to, and so it does not seep through the fabric. Commercially-primed canvases are available at art supply shops, but professional painters often prime their own. Priming the canvas personally saves you money and gives you complete control over the finished product.
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Things You'll Need
- Gesso
- Plastic cup
- Stirring stick
- 3-inch paintbrush with nylon bristles
- Canvas
- Hand soap
- Plastic wrap
- Sandpaper
- 2 soft, clean cloths
Instructions
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1
Pour your gesso into a plastic cup and add tap water to thin the gesso and make it spreadable. Do not exceed manufacturer's recommended water amount.
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2
Stir the gesso mixture well and immediately wash your stirring stick. Allow the stick to air-dry.
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3
Run your paintbrush's bristles under tap water until saturated. Squeeze the bristles until they are only slightly damp.
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4
Dip your paintbrush into the gesso and wipe the bristles against the rim of the cup to remove any excess.
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5
Paint the gesso onto your canvas liberally. Move your brush from left to right in long strokes. Paint quickly and forcefully. Each canvas crevice needs to be covered with gesso.
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6
Paint gesso onto the sides of your canvas. Set the canvas aside to dry.
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7
Wash your paintbrush with hand soap and water. Squeeze the bristles dry, reshape and allow to air-dry. Cover the cup of gesso with plastic wrap so it does not dry out.
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8
Lightly sand the canvas with fine sandpaper when the gesso is dry. Wipe the canvas with a soft, clean cloth to remove any loosened gesso or sandpaper grit.
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9
Repeat steps 4 through 7, brushing the gesso on perpendicular to your first coat.
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10
Lightly sand your canvas and wipe with a clean cloth after your second coat is dry.
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Tips & Warnings
The amount of water necessary to thin your gesso will vary by brand. Contact your gesso manufacturer for specifics when in doubt.
Gesso drying times will vary depending on the amount used, season and humidity level. Allow the gesso to dry completely before sanding or painting.
Wash your plastic cup and paintbrush immediately after use. Gesso dries very quickly and will clog your drain once hardened.
Do not ingest gesso.
Wear a protective face mask while sanding if you are sensitive to dust.
References
- Photo Credit oil on canvas image by Peter Baxter from Fotolia.com
