How to Prepare the Smoothest Canvas Ever

I found this method the best way to create an amazing canvas surface that is perfectly smooth and free of any texture like traditional canvas. All you will need is a canvas, gesso, a taping knife, and 120 grit sand paper.
The style of canvas is intended for airbrushing thin amounts of acrylic paint, and for drawing with graphite, colored pencils, pastels, etc. I don't recommend oil paint or thick layers of acrylic paint on a surface this smooth. The paint will most likely chip away or peel off. I've learned this the hard way.
If you'd like to draw on canvas or paint with an airbrush, this is the best method I've found so far.
Liquitex Gesso Basic: amzn.to/3mPkexL
Liquitex Gesso Professional: amzn.to/3FQN9ZE
Taping Knife: amzn.to/3qKzfC2 or amzn.to/32LYFXX
120 grit sanding block: amzn.to/3JATaMA or amzn.to/3JAxekz
These are amazon affiliate links for The Art Workshop. As an Amazon Associate I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases. Using these links helps support my channel. Thank you!

[@theartworkshop]

I just posted an updated version of this video, going into some more detail and answering a few questions. Check it out here! kzbin.info/www/bejne/nZK4q2uwaZiUmqM

[@fathercrossangellamblove]

It would be good for you to sell prepped canvases like this because you would definitely make bank. Esp. From people like me that want to create smooth art ,but most likely will not be patient enough to actually try this on my own.. Esp. since I have little kids in my house ,and it could get messed up....

[@kapenajoe6887]

after applying all those layers of gesso, can I than apply rabbit skin glue on the gesso?

[@ThelmaGrace1930]

Amazingly detailed demonstration! Thank you for this!!

[@juliazaph9991]

Thank you for this video. I have recently been commissioned by my university for a portrait on canvas with oil, but I usually work on wood for the smooth surface. This will make it so much easier to replicate my normal portrait style for this upcoming piece!!

[@irinamarkaj17]

Great video. Thank you .

[@freddysoto1166]

Thanks you very helpful

[@bicnarok]

Thank for this looking to do colored pencil straight onto canvas

[@elizabethpetart]

really helpful for some experimentation I am trying to create my own unique surfaces

[@eddielopez350]

Exelen video how to prepare smoot surface in your canvas very helpful

[@highphysics3617]

Wow! Detail,detail,detail. I am impressed. This is what I need to prepare a canvas that I want as smooth as possible. Excellent presentation. Thank you.🙂

[@theartworkshop]

Glad it was helpful!

[@bettyecain2148]

Great Video! Learned a lot!

[@theartworkshop]

Thanks!

[@paniaguart4920]

ufff tremendo video.... thanks for share it

[@drewski3104]

Thanks for the tip bro..

[@TheDarkArtist66]

Great video and technique, I've loved every video you have put out. Ive said before that the no bull approach to teaching is the way to get it done. Great advice my man. Absolutely awesome content

[@theartworkshop]

thanks so much

[@bradnotbread]

@PureUnintentionalASMR needs to see this video. I came to learn about making a smooth canvas and found a video so relaxing I nearly forgot to breathe.

[@francescotufoairbrushstudi2085]

thanks for this fantastic video my friend.

[@theartworkshop]

Thanks! It's the only surface I use these days. Works so well for airbrushing.

[@clintatk]

Good video and good technique! I want to comment about the gessoed surface. A properly gessoed canvas should not have the paint penetrating to the canvas. A major role of gesso is to protect the canvas from the chemicals in the paint. Gesso is designed to hold paint no matter the texture of the surface, so even with a very smooth surface paint will adhere to the gesso. 👍

[@theartworkshop]

I kind of agree. Sizing is actually intended to seal the canvas, although modern acrylic gesso does an excellent job at achieving this as it's naturally hydrophobic. As the viscosity in oil paint lowers with solvents, so does its binding characteristics. So if you paint with extremely thin oil paint as I usually do, you have a much higher chance of paint chipping. However, modern alkyd mediums help.

[@clintatk]

@@theartworkshop I agree, thinning does disrupt the curing of the oils. But good acrylic gesso should allow for the oils to penetrate enough to bind with it. I haven't had issues with chipping. Oils can crack and chip if layered wrong, ie., "lean over fat". I've seen acrylics completely chip of if allowed to get to cold! A friend in college was carrying his canvases in from his car in the middle of winter in a cold wind and his paints completely disintegrated!

[@theartworkshop]

​@@clintatk Very well said! And I agree with acrylics and the cold, especially when they are not yet dry or cured. Thank you for your input Clint!

[@kapenajoe6887]

after applying all those layers of gesso, can I than apply rabbit skin glue on the gesso to properly seal the canvas surface before airbrush painting??

[@KrstnaSchroeder]

@@kapenajoe6887rabbit skin glue must be done first, then gesso.

[@raju.paintings]

Wonderfull 💎💎💎💎💎

[@brotherjonathan3099]

Great video! Thank you! /subscribed!

[@SongbirdsASMR]

Your voice is so soothing. You need to start doing asmr with your tutorials!!! 🎉

[@gideonros2705]

Great video.

[@theartworkshop]

Thank you!

[@theartworkshop]

you can also use smooth plywood as a surface for canvas. You should be able to get that anywhere. Easy to cut to any size you'd like too. For canvas, make sure it's thick- 15oz or more so no wood texture gets through.

[@sightodiefor672]

When you re-frame the canvas does the gesso so crack at all ?? I been having this problem.

[@Maks_Class87]

What material do you use for the canvas? What is its density?

[@jlesquer]

great video tutorial! Very well explained like all the channel content. Many thanks for sharing your experience and techniques. BTW I'm curious to know how you choose the canvas size, do you have any fixed preference sizes? Or depends on the subject/theme to paint?

[@theartworkshop]

thanks! I guess mainly on what I'm painting. I'm switching sizes all the time.

[@juliei8166]

Great video- watched your updated one as well. Thank you!! Do you have a type of roller you recommend? I worry about lint after reading reviews while trying to choose one.

[@Carole_Williamson]

Will this work if I use it on a previously painted on canvas? I didn’t scrape it, but don’t like it so I’d like to use it again, not a cheap canvas. I’ve tried putting a layer of gesso, a layer of heavy acrylic gel and just can’t get rid of the……………sort of like shallow cracks, but not actually cracks. And I do not want to 8 or 10 layers……of course.

[@bobbond8232]

Thank you for the detailed video. I have a project to airbrush onto a large canvas that will need to be rolled up for travel and later for storage until it's displayed again with its frame. Is gesso flexible enough to be rolled without cracking? The image side would be rolled on the outside.

[@theartworkshop]

thanks! I roll up all of my canvases and never had a problem or had any of them develop any type of crack. Few things though- first, use a high quality gesso! A professional grade like liquitex or golden is best. Second, don't fold the canvas or roll it up extremely tight. A light amount of pressure when rolling it up is all you need.

[@thunder2165]

thank you for your insight, I use mdf but i am gonna try your method. i am curious how you varnish or seal your art especially if you do mixed media like color pencil and createx illustration paint together

[@theartworkshop]

I use liquitex matte (or gloss) medium thinned with some distilled water and spray it over the painting with an HVLP spray gun. Multiple thin coats. It works well as a permanent varnish/isolation layer. Then you can add a traditional (removable) varnish over the top a week or so later. It works great. I'll make a video explaining this.

[@thunder2165]

@@theartworkshop I’m definitely gonna give that a try, I’ve been considering the isolation coat and I’m glad you pointed that out. Love your method of explaining stuff and I look forward to your next video, thanks

[@theartworkshop]

@@thunder2165 Thanks man

[@ryanjobbagy9068]

Hi. Newly subscribed. Great videos. Is it possible to apply the gesso directly to the mdf instead of canvas? As it’s already quite smooth it would require fewer coats. Just curious if you’ve tried this or if you think the gesso would have adhesion problems with such a smooth hard surface. Thanks.

[@theartworkshop]

Absolutely! I do it all the time. Funny you ask that, because I'm making a video on that right now. It is excellent for smaller works, but for larger ones (4ft+) the mdf gets way too heavy and starts to warp over time.

[@zahirdossa]

Super helpful!!! If I wanted to use a fountain pen on a canvas, would you recommend this medium/finish?

[@theartworkshop]

yeah should be fine!

[@FluxyMiniscus]

When removing from the board to restretch on bars, does the canvas stick to the wood? (I imagine the gesso would seep through in places) I’m currently trying to “correct “ some overly textured canvases that I purchased online (will not buy those again!) so thanks for the tips! I thought I was being extra bu adding 6 layers of gesso, lol , good to see I’m not alone in this pursuit to eliminate those obnoxious little bumps!

[@theartworkshop]

I've never had a problem with any gesso getting though. The first layer of it really seals the canvas in so the next layers just sit on top of that. Everytime I finish a painting and remove it, the board or panel underneath looks like new. hope this helps!

[@Charles_Bro-son]

Is this preparation also the reason that you scratching thin highlights into painted areas of the canvas works so well?

[@theartworkshop]

Yes. If the canvas isn't smooth it's very difficult to scratch off the paint cleanly.

[@stuart1525]

Great video im just getting back into my airbrushing, i don't know anybody with a belt sander though, Ibought a taping knife but how do i smooth out the taping lines, do i just keep sanding it down ?

[@theartworkshop]

thanks. I usually just wet sand it by hand. A belt sander is too aggressive for this. An orbital sander is alright, but can be aggressive as well.

[@stuart1525]

Thanks for your reply

[@GT-us8vc]

Voice over acting and guided meditation can be another hobby for you. Great great video generous in teaching 👍 thanks. Here was my question; can I sand my canvas "prior" to gesso'ing it? You mentioned a great thing which is careful how thin you sand it because it won't hold enough acrylic or gesso logical perfect. But still that didn't answer my question lol and I searched everywhere everyone sands after gessoing..if u know let me know thanks for a super video my man!

[@theartworkshop]

haha! It's basically me not knowing how to talk into a condenser microphone and get the levels correct. I'm getting better in my newer videos though! Yes, of course you can sand the canvas before applying gesso. Use 100-150 grit with some water. I'm assuming you are talking about a store bought canvas that already has gesso applied and is white, correct? You don't need to do this however, as the next layers of gesso that you apply will cover up the original coats. I'm working on a new video where I go into a lot more detail. It'll be up next week!

[@GT-us8vc]

@@theartworkshop Thanks for the response. So do you think it beats the purpose if I sand a store-bought canvas that is already gessoed? Because even when I apply gesso without sanding that is the canvas still feels rough to the touch and painting. I noticed sanding a store canvas just a bit isn't that bad because their triple gesso isnt that great to begin with, and then I can have a super smooth canvas for painting. What do you think?

[@theartworkshop]

@@GT-us8vc Even if the store bought canvas has 3-5 layers of gesso, you'll never be able to sand it as smooth as if you apply it yourself. This is because they do not apply gesso with a trowel or taping knife and so it doesn't fill in the grooves in the canvas. Applying the gesso with a taping knife is the key as it fills in the weave of the canvas. Sanding just cleans it up any high points at the end.

[@GT-us8vc]

@@theartworkshop I meant it 100% no pun intended. Great voice 👌

[@GT-us8vc]

@@theartworkshop Awesome, thanks

[@Steinstra-vj7wl]

I will tell you a secret canvas you would never consider: Block-out roller blind - the cotton type (don't use nylon or other plastics) - that any DIY shop sells. They come in pure white and have extremely fine texture, and in sizes small to huge. No Gesso or other prepping necessary - airbrush directly on it, or spay opaque airbrush white over it (as I do: over my drawn pencil lines to soften these) - great surface for airbrushing !

[@theartworkshop]

very interesting idea! Will have to pick some of this up some day to test out- thanks!

[@abcd-wg2iq]

How to make it less absorbent?

[@HNLinh]

Excuseme sir, if i buy the silk linen or Extra fine(very smooth) so do I need adding layers gesso or not? And one more thing, I want to know how many days we can paint from finish gesso on the surface canvas? Thanks Sir.

[@theartworkshop]

If you are using a very fine linen or canvas, less coats of gesso are needed for a smooth surface (3-4 coats). I like to wait at least 2 days before I start painting on the canvas. Best of luck!

[@HNLinh]

@@theartworkshop thank you sir

[@darranthompson8202]

Am a newbie to airbrushing I think if I did all this to canvas I would not be good enough and make lots of mistakes can u recommend something smooth instead of canvas which will scrape with blade. Thanks.

[@theartworkshop]

Really good options are legion Yupo paper or arches hot pressed water color paper. The canvas prep can be tedious, trust me! yupo paper with 2 coats of gesso works very well since it's synthetic and very durable.

[@darranthompson8202]

@@theartworkshop ok thanks il try that.

[@jasminemonsegue1419]

do you have to wait two days once its all done before airbrushing? Is one day too little?

[@theartworkshop]

I usually set them up weeks in advance, but I'd wait 2 days or so to begin painting. A lot of gesso like this takes a while to cure.

[@jasminemonsegue1419]

Thanks so much for responding ! :) Will do 👍🏾@@theartworkshop

[@angelicanaum3350]

I have a question. I work with acrylic pens, 1mm-4mm and a smooth surface is essential for me. You mentioned your technique is not good for acrylic, Why?

[@LittleMew133]

How to paint on super smooth canvas? All the previous paint get picked up when I try to apply new paint :C

[@franciscojesuscortes]

Thank you for your videos. Why don't you work on plasterboards directly? It's cheap and ready to paint

[@theartworkshop]

I do! They work great, but they aren't so good when I'm painting larger works (4ft or more). They tend to warp at larger sizes and are so expensive to ship. Canvas is much better for larger works