Canvas Priming Lesson

[@Jestunes]

While working in the studios in Hollywood as a propmaker I learned many different skills. One art director I worked with made a statement on priming the surface area before painting. He said painting white as a primer will give natural colors in your paint, but when you paint your surface black as a priming surface will give you brighter colors when it finishes and dries. We did it both ways and he was totally right. You might want to put that in your next video...

[@armanflint]

You use gesso with titanium white in it because a lot of quality paints are transparent. When you use cheap student grade paints, most of the paints are packed full of inert ingredients and titanium dioxide to lessen the cost of the pigments added into the paints. You end up with a shit pastel like paint that doesn't mix well with other paints. Black will not give your painting brighter colors, it gives it more of a dramatic contrast between light and dark (specifically for filming) forcing light colors forward. The terms for this are called Chiaroscuro and tenebrism. (Renaissance and Baroque periods of painting)... The idea with painting with black is that you can use less intense pure saturated colors with more muted tones. Most renaissance painters started with an earth tone ground and backed their figures with a lead white then surrounded the figures with different gradations of black-like pigments.

[@sl5154]

Really nice input, thank you.

[@brandykrussell2847]

you are amazing and thank you for all of your teaching ,i am a senior artist just starting to paint ,so all of your lessons have really helped me.again thank you .

[@nicolletesand2205]

Wow! You're a wonderful teacher. Thank you!!!

[@cindysplace8984]

Thank you! Very easy to follow, and love the rationale provided with each step.

[@gravydogg1]

Superb !! I have been creating artwork since I was a kid and just now going to make my own canvas,thanks for the lesson ! You are a great instructor,you carry yourself in a very professional and knowledgeable manner ,thanks

[@LTeyler]

In closing up the a gesso container and for better longevity: 1) Consider using Saran (plastic) wrap to cover the surface of the liquid and enough to stick to the inside container side walls, remember the more surface you get covered the less paint drying will accrue (and flake off in the next opening). 2) If there is a rubber type lid rim seal, clean with water and leave as much water behind on this seal, and to help in maintaining a good seal.

[@angelbunny2518]

Thank you! Your an incredible teacher!!!

[@Layeredworld]

You explain things so clearly, thank you.

[@PRAKASH-cm1vo]

What a wonderful Tutorial ! Thank you very much

[@tracyblakeley2709]

Great information. I love to see more😊

[@J-Obaltyboy]

Very informative video. Thank you for making it.

[@renatobfa]

Nice video. One suggestion, too, or "Extra" is: using modeling paste to smooth out rough canvas. Works Great. Golden has a video explaining it and its a life saver for taking out some canvas texture.

[@KaterinaLanfranco1]

That’s a great idea. You can also use modeling paste to build up the texture of the painting before adding paint. For Anyone who doesn’t know, modeling paste is a combo of marble dust and acrylic medium. It’s viscous and can by painted afterwards. I use it often. It’s also great for adding collage and assemble elements to a painting because it’s very adhesive.

[@connieschwoerer8369]

really great tutorial. thank you so much for sharing. Best

[@simonaghidoni5037]

Thanks for making this video, I will follow this process to make my own canvases. I was wondering if I could use Belgium linen instead of buying canvas rolls. I am painting with acrylics and I was also wondering if priming the linen with the gesso process that you are describing on your other video it can be the best primer for acrylics. Cheers

[@rishita286]

Wonderful and informative video..Thankyou so much!😊

[@VicBxxx]

Best tutorial on priming I've found thank you so much! Really interested in the advanced priming methods which have proved hard to find on utube .... looking forward to your other videos ... who needs an art degree when I've got you to look up how tos!

[@benandyoga2956]

Victoria Burdett Like everything else.... art starts with the word “don’t.”

[@billt5410]

We need an art degree to tell people that we’re living bohemian

[@olenaturkevych9737]

Thank you! awesome tutorial!

[@uuh.okayiguess]

Please make more videos! I love these, they're so informative :)

[@michaelhall1691]

A+ content! Thank you so much!

[@garliclasagna]

thank you for this wonderful instructive lesson... do you recommend wetting canvas before putting down Rabbit skin glue instead of Gesso for instance?

[@fromthepeanutgallery1084]

Wonderful video. How does Gerhard Richter prime his canvasses?

[@Mystique-Dreams]

You are brilliant! Despite bands claiming to prime their canvases, I find it poorly primed, so I have already applied your teqnique, and love the result, so THANK YOU!

[@olivertrent9266]

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[@nelsonkamryn4045]

@Oliver Trent instablaster :)

[@olivertrent9266]

@Nelson Kamryn thanks so much for your reply. I got to the site thru google and I'm in the hacking process now. Seems to take a while so I will reply here later when my account password hopefully is recovered.

[@olivertrent9266]

@Nelson Kamryn it did the trick and I actually got access to my account again. I am so happy! Thanks so much you really help me out :D

[@nelsonkamryn4045]

@Oliver Trent no problem :D

[@bulletproofbrain8194]

Great video!

[@jasonanthonywilper]

Lovely video. How long do you let your gesso dry before applying oils paint?

[@mirnavalenzuela3734]

Thank you. I do my own canvas. I usually mix the gesso with some water so I can cover it quicker and then I give a second coat. Do you use the gesso directly from the container?

[@sumairanadi659]

Good guideline thanku

[@cr0wsnest]

Idk if this has been commented but to get a super intense color gesso, you can mix acrylic with clear gesso... but honestly at that point I just work it into an acrylic base layer instead

[@nonane2390]

thank you so much, you r a star!

[@88Doug]

Beauty and brains! Amazing artist!

[@DanStratocaster1]

Can I use an old photography backdrop as a paint canvas? I’m not sure if it’s the same material. Mine is already painted with a design but I would paint over it with the white gesso.

[@Yenhao1103]

Thanks for sharing

[@alaindezii4445]

Very informative, Thank you!

[@user-ur3zn6tq9i]

I loved the class. but I would like to know what number grit sand paper is used for sanding the canvas? thanks

[@mahrukhrehan746]

Do we add water in gesso ? Do we use same gesso for oil paint as well

[@joshywhvick]

What sort of material is the stretched canvas? It’s a darker colour. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

[@joehodway]

With your experience, are you, or any of your colleagues able to suggest why an unprimed, drum tight canvas will actually acquire wrinkles when a PVA based (rather than acrylic based) size is applied? It is as if the cotton expands with the moisture, rather than contracts. (Making it looser on the stretcher). The wrinkles remain after it has dried. Thanks in advance.

[@PeterHenrichsen]

Thank you! :)

[@ChristianFOcampo]

Great tutorial. I love how calm your explanations were. I was wondering, could one also use a squeegee to spread out the Gesso, especially if time was a concern?

[@KaterinaLanfranco1]

Yes you can use a squeegee!

[@zaveeramini9712]

Very useful video, thank you!

[@PrincessAloeVera]

I want to glue linen UNPRIMED canvas to a board instead of stretching onto a "frame" (stretcher) and then prime it like this. Is this going to work in terms of shrinkage? I've never tried any of this. Thanks.

[@yiela_]

Can acrylic gesso be used for oil paint?

[@royakrezaee5160]

Can you use under paint coat instead of Gesso?

[@user-lb1ju9xu4z]

Very helpfull tutorial Katerina, thank you! I am considering priming a backdrop canvass for photography. The size of it is 2.5m x 3meters long. Can you advise by your own experience what is approximately the gesso coverage per square meter? Thanks a lot!

[@KaterinaLanfranco1]

A 1/2 gallon should be enough for two coats. Depends how thick and how many layers.

[@emilbmanrique5715]

Excelente!

[@hey9000000]

How many layers of gesso is preferred for acrylic painting?

[@HABXKD]

Thank you!

[@caljammer5253]

great lesson, thanks

[@pedrogarcia-miro]

Amazing thank you!

[@fromthepeanutgallery1084]

If you use modeling paste, do you still need to use gesso before applying it, or does the modeling paste now become the primer? Also, is gesso good for oils?

[@KaterinaLanfranco1]

Gesso is great for oils. Modeling paste could work for smaller surface areas. It’s a little less absorptive or luminous than gesso. So if you are working thin or with washes, gesso would be better, unless you like the pooling look of paint settling on a less porous surface. Good luck!

[@ksuhuh]

Interesting video. Just wondering, if you use acrylic gesso, which dries into a permeable, porous state, directly onto the fabric fibers without a glue size, aren't you inviting rotting into your fabric?

[@KaterinaLanfranco1]

Dutch Bushcraft Guy the acrylic based gesso seals the fabric (it would be duplicate to size it w rabbit ski glue or PVA. Under stressed conditions mold and rot can even develop on plastics.

[@ksuhuh]

Katerina Lanfranco thank you for your reply. I did some research and the linoleic acid really does get into the fibres and destroys the cellulose if you don't put on a primary sealant. Hide glue aparently isn't a good base for acrylic primer, but these guys did their homework and recommend 2 coats of their acrylic medium before applying the gesso. See the "additional information" part www.goldenpaints.com/technicalinfo_gesso

[@KaterinaLanfranco1]

Yes GAC 100 is thin and very fluid and will cover the fibers better than gesso. However you can always put multiple layers of gesso down if you don’t have GAC (or another acrylic medium). I know a painter who applies 8 coats of gesso before painting...but then again Jackson Pollock applied none!

[@vanquishstorm3806]

Very helpful video. What is a good grit sand paper range to use? I would like to get the surface very smooth for acrylic airbrush application.

[@armanflint]

Depends on the quality of brush you use, how thick the acrylic gesso... 150 to 200 is probably best to start with. You're going to burn though a lot of sand paper if don't let the gesso cure for a few days between coats. The more coats of gesso, the longer it takes to cure. You will probably be able to finish with a 400 paper... You probably don't want to go any higher than this great because your paint will bead on the surface if it is too "polished."

[@rocktober1957]

Thank you.

[@KanchanBolangdy-lx6ew]

Do you have to apply water to dampen the canvas before applying gesso?

[@sam8rajohnson566]

Thank you so much for this lesson. That is so helpful! Well explained. But what if I want to draw something just with pencil, graphite or charcoal on a bought canvas, how can I prepare the canvas for these mediums? Hope you can help me, pleas.

[@armanflint]

Store bought "pre-stretched canvas doesn't need priming for drawing. You can buff it with a towel or rub it with some sandpaper to bring out the tooth you want.

[@MimiYouyu]

Thank you🙏💫 i wonder of there is a more natural primer/ jesso. What did they use in the past. Thank you , from Europe.

[@KaterinaLanfranco1]

Yes...rabbit skin glue.

[@sheilacarpenter3969]

Question: If you did NOT use gesso "before" painting (with oils), can you gesso the "backside" of the canvas to help with the deterioration you mention?!

[@KaterinaLanfranco1]

Maybe a little help, but oil on canvas is not archival. It didn’t stop Jackson Pollock though!

[@bindinicholls6073]

I wouldn't prime the back of the painting, as I've heard the canvas needs to breathe and this might cause any moisture/oil which comes through the canvas to get stuck and cause problems in the future, just carry on from this painting and make sure to put a coat of gesso on the next ones you make🥰

[@andresbucio3819]

What about using acrylic wall paint instead of gesso?

[@jj471000]

Enjoying your content, thanks SO much! I heard you say you should not use any oil paints on raw (non primed) canvas. Is it ok to paint with acrylic on raw? I like the look better but don't want to if it will not withstand time.

[@charlieguy6872]

if you want anything to last you should prime it

[@roxanner8]

thank you.

[@elenatorres2025]

Brillant!

[@TheDemethar]

There is nothing better than watching a gorgeous woman prepare a canvas for painting.

[@tinamckeage6665]

Thank you for this video.

[@grekori748]

So you don't size the cannas first before applying the gesso?

[@brucegriffiths6741]

Novice in this sort of painting. This was great. Do I need to prime for acrylic work only?

[@KaterinaLanfranco1]

Technically no. But the acrylic will sink in and can stain the canvas if it’s applied watered down. The pain loses a little luster too, and brightness. The white gesso helps with luminosity. But you can always add more layers of paint if you want shine or light. However if you’re working bigger the canvas can warp more if you don’t prime it. It it’s small, go ahead, you don’t have to prime for acrylic... good luck

[@janlappalainen]

Canvas needs to be sized before you apply the primer, either with rabbit skin glue or pva sizing - you don't put gesso straight onto raw canvas. I don't know if this was mentioned anywhere, if it was I missed it.

[@wanderborges6378]

This is an ambiguous issue, if you are going to use an Oil ground it is mandatory to size the fabric first, however if you use acrylic gesso in 3 layers it already acts as a sizing and priming, this is not my opinion, it is based on research by Golden, Google "Golden Paints Tests How To Prepare an Oil Paint Canvas".

[@zehrazaidi2235]

what happens if u over prime. i usually use gesso mixed with a bit of water and do it in 4 layers then sand the surface down. i also wanna know what happens if i use too many layers of gesso

[@KaterinaLanfranco1]

It just makes the surface more rigid. Which is not a problem unless you try to roll your painting/canvas later.

[@bufalo9845]

Can you coloring the Gesso?

[@emmaruthasinas]

I am so sorry for asking this, it might sound stupid. when a canvas is advertised as "unbleached" does it mean it is "raw canvas"? if not, what do I do to make it good for acrylic painting? Please help?

[@KaterinaLanfranco1]

That’s a good question unbleached and raw canvas are the same thing. And the standard for stretching and then priming. Some people like to get pre-primed canvas but it’s harder to stretch. You can prime it with gesso or acrylic medium. There are other primers too: rabbit skin glue (sort of fickle and messy) and PVA (a little sticky). Good luck

[@flyingscience]

Another video on the subject recommended to paint plain water on the canvas as step 1. This dampen the whole canvas first. I don't know if it's worth mentioning.

[@KaterinaLanfranco1]

This causes a lot of expansion and shrinking - unnecessarily. You can try…

[@younglord3617]

Can I screenprint after it's been coated instead?

[@Maria-eh9sc]

Do I need to wet my brush with water before gessoing the canvas or do I just gesso the canvas with a dry brush?

[@KaterinaLanfranco1]

You can do either. I find a wet brush smoother and having less texture.

[@DanaMariedotorg]

You don’t need to use rabbit skin glue sizing? Or you would if you were surely painting oil?

[@DanaMariedotorg]

Or if you were using linen

[@KateDeFacto]

could you please talk about oil priming -- winsor newton recommends it with water-mixable oils

[@KLTeaching]

It’s a thicker ground/primer. You can you that one too. It will take long to dry, but when dried is generally smoother. Essentially you can prime printings for oil and acrylic with many different options. The main thing to consider is how the unprimed surface responds to the added primer. It tends to shrink/pull and then relax expand. My suggestion is you can always do a test on a scrap of canvas/linen or event paper to observe the qualities of the primer if you are concerned. More or less all primers should be methodically applied to your surface. Closer observation will tell you if you need a second layer.

[@KateDeFacto]

Thank you so much for your response. The real goal of my question is that I want to know what kind of size can you use when adding the oil primer. Some say PVA, I've heard rabbit skin which is gross and unethical, and I'm not going to try that... Really I have some pre-bought triple-primed canvases that you can get in any art store, the gallery version: cotton. Since the canvas already has an acrylic ground I assume, I'd like to know if I can add The Windsor Newton non-lead oil primer on top of that... It would seem yes since oil paints can be applied to an acrylic ground. I can experiment, but how will I know if it works out, as it takes years sometimes to find out if you've used the wrong stuff to prep your canvas and paint... I had some paintings from college that were messed up 10 years later. I plan to sell and give some paintings as gifts, and don't want that to happen. I may just stick with regular oil painting on an acrylic ground since many have used that... Although several folks swear by the oil primed canvases.

[@KLTeaching]

You should be good too start. Triple primed is great!

[@paintjohana475]

very good

[@ItalyweddingsBenSingleton]

I was always taught not to lay the canvas flat for priming, and also when you lift to paint the sides, air can be forced through what you’ve just painted, breaking the seal you have made in the surface. Also you did not mention how thick you are applying I believe, and finally (sorry) you did not mention how much the gesso will take out the natural rough texture of the canvas that many oil painters like to give them some “bite” to the brush. Love to know your thoughts. I personally use three layers of pvc and white emulsion paint, in always less diluted mixes

[@beem7606]

She actually did mention that it takes away texture, and she even shows us how to use a primer that doesn’t take it away 11:45

[@the1stime]

You said three layers of pvc…what’s pvc? TIA

[@jonathangold1681]

What grit sand paper are you using please and thank you?

[@mariosa7926]

Hi, instead of gesso, can i use acrylic waterproofing? Tks

[@armanflint]

You can use latex house paint, but that doesn't mean that your painting is going to be archival.

[@luyuanzhang409]

what kind of sandpaper should be used for sanding a canvas?

[@Hollycat50]

Luyuan Try the fine side of a pre-made sanding block. They usually come in packs at the hardware store.

[@davidgravelis2805]

Do you still have to prime with rabbit glue first??

[@KaterinaLanfranco1]

David Gravelis ... no. It’s either rabbit glue or gesso.

[@dottiekropog2228]

Mine has gotten harder to use can i add water to thin down?

[@Hollycat50]

Hi Katerina. Planning a very large canvas poured acrylic painting. Considering 2 options for priming the canvas. 1. Several layers of water-thinned acrylic house paint primer, followed by 2 layers of gesso, sanded. OR 2. Three layers of GAC100, followed by 2 layers of gesso, sanded. Which option would you choose? Or would you do something different? I am also considering adding a gloss medium layer over the final gesso layer to avoid crazing. Thoughts?

[@KaterinaLanfranco1]

Hollycat50 , your ideas/approaches sound interesting. I’ve always shied away from house paint because it seems more brittle than artists’ acrylic paint. Your full saturation and many layered approaches sound interesting. I would do some small tests first to see the impact the substrate treatment has on the poured acrylic paintings. Good luck!

[@Hollycat50]

Katerina Lanfranco I ended up doing 2 layers of GAC100, 4 layers of Golden Gesso, sanded between, and a final layer of GAC100. I stuck to artists acrylic high flow paint in pouring medium and GAC800. Worked beautifully. LOTS of work! 😉 The only concern was a few bald spots where paint pooled away from the canvas, due to the 'plastic' feel of the GAC100 surface, easily remedied by pouring more paint. Thank you for the gesso lesson. Much appreciated!

[@skinglow6139]

Can we use roller instead of the brush?

[@KLTeaching]

yes...depending on the roller you may get texture...

[@jordandegeling1711]

Love the video! You look just like Gweneth Pultra (probably spelled that wrong lol)

[@CodyGudmundsen]

Paltrow?

[@hugoflores8090]

Pretty cool shit.

[@yohanakesete1431]

thanks for shear video and I have one question what is the of Wight colour please help me!

[@KaterinaLanfranco1]

Yohana Kesete : either the gesso or the canvas.

[@kuikai100]

Can we mix it with water? Thank you.

[@KLTeaching]

Yes, a little if it’s too thick. But don’t water it down too much. Gesso is a primer for your canvas. It helps the color of acrylic paint stay bright, and keep oil paint from corroding the canvas. It’s a protective barrier between the canvas and paint.

[@kuikai100]

@@KLTeaching thanks

[@MsVictoriaWolfe]

Thank you!!!!

[@AbdulAziz-cj4hg]

should i still paint my canvas white after gesso? i want to paint only an isolated character

[@KaterinaLanfranco1]

Yes. The gesso can show signs of aging a bit over time. White paint will have a better surface and finish for your isolated character.

[@AbdulAziz-cj4hg]

@@KaterinaLanfranco1 thankyou very much this is very helpful, what about if i dont paint white on top of the primed canvas (primed with gesso) but instead i put varnish over it, will it still age the way like canvas with only gesso?

[@karindogs628]

May i use new linnen that has not been primed at all ?

[@KaterinaLanfranco1]

Yes, for acrylic paint, but watch out for warping.

[@karindogs628]

Katerina could you please tell me what i can use to prime my own linen for oils

[@KaterinaLanfranco1]

Karin dogs : you can use gesso (clear, white or colored), acrylic medium (matte, glossy or satin), or rabbit skin glue (requires cooking the glue flakes into a water solution). I personally prefer acrylic matte medium.

[@karindogs628]

Can i then paint oils on it

[@KaterinaLanfranco1]

Karin dogs Yes!

[@TreeLynnT]

Thank you dear 🥰✌️

[@yohanakesete1431]

ferst of all thanks for your video shearing and I have one question what is the name of Wight colour please help me!

[@KaterinaLanfranco1]

Yohana Kesete ...titanium white

[@noracarroll914]

Can you prime with ought stretching ?

[@madeleine363]

That's what I wanted to know too

[@montassarwahaibi359]

Bravo artiste...Malheureusement Nous ..içi ..en tunis .. pas de Gesso , et les pinceaux laissent des poils en surface hhhhhhhh

[@dutordutor4366]

Thank you

[@vikassabarwal]

can u please suggest that what else can we use in place of gesso

[@Hollycat50]

Vikas Sabarwal To prime a canvas or wood panel for acrylic paint, you can apply 2 or 3 layers of GAC100 as a sealer. You can also apply a layer of GAC400 to avoid yellowing, aka SID, but you should also apply at least one final layer of gesso and sand it. Gesso gives the surface 'tooth' so the paint will adhere and not flake off. I'm not sure about putting another layer of medium on top of the gesso to create a smoth surface. I have asked Katerina about that above.

[@KaterinaLanfranco1]

Yes I agree with Holycat50, but you can also use most acrylic mediums and PVA too.

[@Hollycat50]

Katerina Lanfranco I ended up trying a smooth surface using GAC100. Risky, but it seems to have worked.

[@armanflint]

Elmer's glue. (PVA). Or hide glue, mixed with slacked plaster/calcium carbonate... Or latex house paint, or spray paint primer, or liquid EPDM, or two part epoxy... Only one of these choices are archival and non-yellowing for over 100 years.

[@rabiahafeez3906]

Thanku

[@AneesMahdi]

How fine the sandpaper should be

[@steveurwingreyhairwithcrea5310]

I have been painting for 20 years which gives me some experience however I have a question you might have an answer. It occurred to me on an XXL canvas I have had issues with the stretcher bars pushing on the surface as I prime. Is it better to prime on a flat surface or on an easel? Any advice would be great

[@KaterinaLanfranco1]

I worked with an artist who used to lay foam core on the stretcher and under the painting so that she could really push into the surface of her painting and not get the impression of the stretcher bars. Once the painting was finished we’d remove the foam core and restretch the canvas. Panel cold work too but foam core is much lighter. Just use packing tap to conjoin different pieces of foam core to get the right size. Good luck!

[@kuikai100]

what is gesso. thanks

[@akshayv5569]

Thanks