- First you should sort yourself out. Exactly like before any painting session, you should arrange the materials you need close at hand so that you don’t have to waste time sorting equipment during the priming process. You can dip the brush directly into the gesso container or you can put enough gesso in a bowl to be able to dip a large brush or sponge more easily.
- Apply the first layer either vertically or horizontally on the canvas. Be careful not to change direction or paint criss-cross in order to achieve an even result. When the entire surface is covered with gesso, let it dry before proceeding with the second layer.
- The second layer is applied in a perpendicular direction to the first layer. If you applied the first layer horizontally, the second layer is applied vertically (or vice versa). After applying it, let the gesso dry.
- If necessary, you can repeat this process. Generally two or three layers of gesso are sufficient to fully prime the canvas.
- Depending on the desired effect, you can work your last layer in a relief style or apply it smoothly and then sand it to a smooth texture. A structural surface provides an excellent starting point for an abstract work, whereas a perfectly smoothed priming coat can be used in photorealistic painting, for example. Alternatively, you can mix the last layer of Gessos with a little water and a gloss medium to create a slightly shiny surface for Fluid Art.
Art Inspiration | Inspiration | Art Techniques | Encouragement | Art Supplies
By Nicole Tinkham
When a creative idea strikes, you’re probably anxious to get your supplies together and starting creating, right? We know what it’s like to be in the artistic “zone” and want to jump right in but sometimes it’s important to get the not-so-fun part (like priming your canvas) done first before you can play. Here’s why you don’t want to skip the priming step and how to go about doing it the EASY way.
Why prime?
Priming your canvas is getting it ready to be painted on, just like using primer before painting the walls in your house. Only when it comes to canvas, you’ll be using a thing called Gesso. Gesso will protect the fibers of the canvas. This is important because it keeps your painting archival (or lasting a long time). And yes, you HAVE to use Gesso here. Ordinary white paint doesn’t have the same properties or texture that Gesso has.
Priming also makes the canvas easier to paint on. It makes the surface smooth and you won’t have to use as much paint. Another bonus is the protection of your brushes. The Gesso layer will protect them from deteriorating, which can happen when working directly on the canvas.
How to prime a canvas
You will need:
Canvas
Gesso
Paintbrush
Palette
1. Put some Gesso on your palette. Scoop it up with your paint brush and apply it to the canvas in one direction, covering evenly. Get the Gesso as smooth as possible on the canvas. Make sure to also get the sides if you plan on painting them.
2. Let the Gesso dry completely and then add a second coat, applying in the opposite direction as the first. Let the second coat dry.
3. If you feel the canvas needs more, add a third coat and let dry completely before painting on it.
Your final primed canvas won’t be anything exciting. In fact, it probably looks just like it did before you primed it which is why many artists feel like skipping over this tedious step. Our tip to you is to get all of your canvases primed ahead of time so you can begin painting right when inspiration strikes. Or you can go the easy route and purchase your canvas already primed. Have some priming tips to share? Comment below or over to our Facebook page.
What is gesso?
A canvas is usually primed with Gesso, a mixture of chalk, white pigment and a binder. The specific formulation varies depending on the gesso you use. The most common gesso is the one used in acrylic and oil painting.
You can use particularly thick gesso to create sculptural surface structures similar to a modeling paste.
What you need to apply it
You only need to apply a primer like gesso if your painting surface has not been primed by the manufacturer or if the primer seems too thin to you. All painting papers or stretched canvases can be primed.
Taking a careful approach to priming the surface seems to be absolutely necessary if you are planning an ambitious work that you or a buyer wants to enjoy for a long time without any deterioration of quality.
Besides the painting surface you will need:
- Gesso
- Painting sponge or large brush
- If necessary small bowls for the Gesso
Instructions on how to use gesso on canvas
- First you should sort yourself out. Exactly like before any painting session, you should arrange the materials you need close at hand so that you don’t have to waste time sorting equipment during the priming process. You can dip the brush directly into the gesso container or you can put enough gesso in a bowl to be able to dip a large brush or sponge more easily.
- Apply the first layer either vertically or horizontally on the canvas. Be careful not to change direction or paint criss-cross in order to achieve an even result. When the entire surface is covered with gesso, let it dry before proceeding with the second layer.
- The second layer is applied in a perpendicular direction to the first layer. If you applied the first layer horizontally, the second layer is applied vertically (or vice versa). After applying it, let the gesso dry.
- If necessary, you can repeat this process. Generally two or three layers of gesso are sufficient to fully prime the canvas.
- Depending on the desired effect, you can work your last layer in a relief style or apply it smoothly and then sand it to a smooth texture. A structural surface provides an excellent starting point for an abstract work, whereas a perfectly smoothed priming coat can be used in photorealistic painting, for example. Alternatively, you can mix the last layer of Gessos with a little water and a gloss medium to create a slightly shiny surface for Fluid Art.
Gesso is traditionally a white liquid, but Gesso primers are now also available in other colors to help you prepare your canvas. In particular transparent and black gesso is often used to create different works or to paint a negative image.
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Sizes and Grounds
A Ground or Gesso is the foundation of an oil painting. The choice we make determines in large part how painting will feel, mark-making possibilities, and how our colors will look when our painting is dry.
An acrylic gesso made from synthetic polymer imparts a plasticky texture. An absorbent, thirsty clayboard can cause sunken, desaturated color. A ground with tooth helps grab paint off the brush, meanwhile a smooth surface lends to fine detail linework.
Gamblin PVA Size seals the porous fibers of fabric or paper and isolates those fibers from your Gesso, Ground and oil colors. This protects the fibers from acid, making the surface archival. Only fabric and paper supports need sizing. Panel can withstand the acid in oil and may be prepared with just Gamblin Ground.
Gamblin Ground
Gamblin Oil Painting Ground makes a strong, bright, non-absorbent foundation for oil paintings. Gamblin Ground is formulated from alkyd resin, titanium dioxide, and calcium carbonate – titanium dioxide gives opacity, while calcium carbonate gives tooth for strong adhesion.
Gamblin Ground makes a brighter and less-absorbent ground layer compared to acrylic gesso primers, meaning that the oil paint layers on top will better retain their color saturation. The lower absorbency also allows for reductive painting techniques when painters need to wipe back into the white of their Ground.
Oil Ground Uses
Due to a higher pigment load, Gamblin Ground is thicker than acrylic gesso, and requires less coats and different application techniques. Please see application directions for both fabric and panel demonstrated on our Video Demos page.
Gamblin Ground may be used to cover an old painting. This is an economical way to reuse your canvases or panels when the painting doesn’t turn out the way you hoped.
Gamblin Ground may be applied directly over an acrylic primed canvas or panel to provide a bright white surface, reduce absorbency and improve color saturation.
Oil colors may be mixed into Gamblin Ground to create a tinted ground. There are numerous expressions out there about “blank, white canvases”. Unfortunately, the phrase doesn’t actually apply to all forms painting. Starting with a tinted ground can help you explore more possibilities in your work.
Clean Up for Oil Ground
Plan on priming a bunch of panels and/or canvases in the same session. Gamsol is recommended for cleanup of your tools after using Oil Ground.
For cleaning Gamblin Ground out of a paint roller or brushes:
- Roll out as much remaining Oil Ground as possible on scrap board or cardboard.
- Drizzle Gamsol into the roller and roll out on a stack of paper towels.
- Repeat until the roller is clean.
Gamblin Ground is available in the following sizes: 8 fl oz, 16 fl oz, 32 fl oz.
A 8 fl oz. of Oil Ground will cover 12 square feet of canvas with an application of two thin coats.
Poly Vinyl Acetate (PVA) Size
A raw canvas should be sized with Gamblin PVA Size before applying Oil Ground or oil color.
Conservation scientists recommend painters use neutral pH PVA size canvas and paper instead of rabbit skin glue. PVA Size provides a stable size layer that seals the canvas but does not swell or shrink like rabbit skin glue goes. This is because PVA size does not re-absorb atmospheric moisture.
Gamblin PVA Size is made from PVA that is free of animal byproduct, has a neutral pH, and does not yellow. It also retains its flexibility and does not emit harmful volatiles.
PVA Size on Canvas
Use any style of brush to scrub PVA Size into your canvas. You can apply PVA Size before or after stretching.
A single coat of PVA Size on the front of the canvas is usually sufficient for application. If the canvas has a very open weave showing many pinholes when held up to the light, apply PVA Size to both the front and back.
If you are stretching your canvas before applying PVA Size, ensure that canvas is stretched evenly and tightly. PVA Size will tighten a stretched canvas initially when wet but may relax somewhat once dry. PVA size will not result in any dramatic difference in the tightness of the canvas like rabbit skin glue.
For very large dimension stretched canvas or when using lightweight linen, apply PVA Size first prior to stretching. Lightweight canvas on larger stretchers can buckle and/or wrinkle on the stretcher frame when dry. Heavier weight canvas has less of a tendency to buckle or loosen.
Soap and water can be used to clean brushes after application of PVA Size.
PVA Size on Paper
There are papers which are already sized and designed for oil painting. Heavy water media papers like watercolor , mixed-media and some printmaking papers may be used for oil painting once properly treated. Gamblin PVA Size can be used as a sealant for that purpose. The appearance of most papers are changed very little once the PVA Size is completely dry.
Only the side of the paper to be painted on with oil colors requires sealing with PVA Size. To limit wrinkling, some papers may require taping down to a rigid panel before applying PVA Size. Allow the sized paper to dry completely before removing the tape. Most paper will require 2 coats of PVA Size. Allow all moisture to evaporate out of freshly sized paper (about 24 hours) before applying Oil Ground and/or Artists Oil Colors.
Painting on PVA Size alone
PVA Size can be used on its own as your ground without the use of a white or colored primer over the size.
This can be used when a painter wants to allow the natural color and look of the canvas or paper to show through in parts of their oil painting. Although PVA Size is not itself a ground, it may be used in lieu of a white covering primer to protect canvas from the acidity of oil colors.
In these scenarios you should apply two applications of PVA Size to help reduce the absorbency of your canvas. PVA Size is formulated to go on very thinly without filling in the natural texture of the canvas.
PVA Size is available in the following sizes: 8.5 fl oz, 33.8 fl oz.
A 8 fluid oz. bottle of PVA Size covered about 10 square feet.
