If you plan to use oil paints, it is a good idea to apply a primer and glue before painting.The surface of your canvas can be stiffened by primer, which makes it more textured and helps the colors in your work stand out.Even if you have never done it before, it is easy to primer a canvas.Applying the right glue to your canvas is easy once you have the correct stuff.
Step 1: If you are painting with oil, apply sizing glue to your canvas.
Artists apply a liquid glue to canvas to keep oil paints out of the fibers.Use a small brush to apply glue to your canvas.Leave it to dry for 12 hours.You will need to size your canvas before you apply your primer.The canvas is optional if you are painting with it.There are art supply stores that also sell gesso.
Step 2: Pick a primer that is intended for the paint you plan to use.
If you are painting with oils, you should use oil gessos.If you want to use an oil paint on your project, you should stick with an acrylic primer.You can find different types of gesso at art supply stores.You can find out what types of paint each gesso works with by reading the product label.
Step 3: If you want the colors of your painting to appear lighter, use white gesso.
The white gesso background will make the colors of your painting appear lighter and softer.You can lighten the colors of your painting by starting to paint while the gesso is still wet.Since white is an easy background to paint on, white gesso is the most common color for canvas painting.
Step 4: If you want your colors to look sharper, choose colored gesso.
If you are painting a portrait or a still-life image, this is useful.Against a dark background, the colors that you use will look brilliant.The mood you are trying to strike should affect the color of the gesso you use.If you are painting a landscape, consider using a color like umber or dark blue.Colored gessos are harder to find than traditional white ones.A standard white primer can be used to make your own colored gesso.You can change the final color by changing the amount of paint you add.
Step 5: If you want cheap, white primer, you should use student grade gesso.
If you want to paint a simple painting, student grade gesso is better than artist grade.If you want a white background for your painting, student grade primer may be your best bet.Student grade gesso is more expensive than artist grade because it contains less paint.
Step 6: If you want a high quality primer, choose artist grade gesso.
It will look more textured and a bit rough if you use artist grade gesso.If you want to use a colored gesso, you will probably have to go with artist grade, unless you mix it yourself.
Step 7: Add water to your primer to make it better.
There isn't a set amount of water that you need to add.Scoop the primer into the bucket or cup that you will be using to hold it.Add a little bit of water at a time while stirring the gesso and continue adding water until it has the consistency of a heavy cream.Dilute it to make it easier to apply and smooth it out.If you add too much water to your gesso, you will have to start over.
Step 8: Apply the gesso with a wide brush.
Go from the top of the canvas to the bottom.While covering the canvas, spread the primer evenly and thinly.Try to make the surface as flat as possible.For the best results, use a stiff brush.If your canvas is large, you can use a roller brush.The edges of the canvas can be hard to hit with just vertical strokes.
Step 9: Allow this first coat to dry, then sand it to smooth it out.
Give Gesso at least an hour to completely dry for the best results.If you want to give it a smooth texture, use fine sandpaper.If you don't want your canvas to have a smooth texture, you can skip this part.You should brush off the dust from your canvas after you sand it.It is a good idea to clean off your brush while the gesso is drying.It will be difficult to remove the gesso if you leave it for too long.
Step 10: These steps are used to apply a second coat.
The canvas should be turned 90 degrees before you apply the second coat of gesso.When you apply the primer with vertical strokes, the strokes will be the same as the ones you used in the first coat.The finish of your texture will be more even with the use of perpendicular strokes.Most people choose to apply 2 coats of primer for a smooth texture, even though you can apply as many as you want.A single coat of gesso will give your canvas a rougher finish.
Step 11: After it is dried, sand it for a smooth surface.
Before you sand it, give your second coat an hour to dry.To avoid getting too much of the gesso, use very light pressure and short back-and-forth motions.You should remove the dust from the canvas after you sand it.Your canvas is ready to be painted when you finish sanding the gesso.