How to Prepare your canvas for oil painting

Hello there
this is a short video showing how I like to prepare my canvases for oil painting using traditional materials, rabbit skin glue and oil primer. It is best to 'size' both sides of the canvas with the glue.
Preparing your own canvas for oil painting can be very rewarding. It takes a little planning and time but means you have a connection with every painting you do, from start to finish. I really love the whole process and it is a big part of my studio practice. I don't generally use acrylic primers - unless I am in a hurry!
Hope you find the video useful - please leave any questions in the comments and I will get back to you
Bye for now
Andrew

[@Paul-su3qh]

Hello Andrew, 🤔 I found this process of sizing the canvas, using Rabbit Glue and oil based primer very interesting. However, I note also that it is a time consuming process too. But if it supports a better painterly finish and helps protect the canvas for longer then I can see that this method may indeed be worthwhile. Especially for those artist who have the space in which to prepare and process larger works. I thank you for sharing your process with us as there is always something to learn and to increase our understanding and knowledge of the many differing styles and processes that help make each of our artistic abilities more practical and creative. I love to watch your videos and painting processes because they are so insightful and interesting. Best wishes 😃🌞👍

[@AndrewBarrowmanArt]

Thank you so much Paul I agree, it is very time consuming and requires a lot of space. I enjoy the whole process of creating my paintings. I really enjoy it. However, if I’m in a hurry I will use acrylic primer

[@hazmaouini6291]

Thank you Sir , very informative 👍🖌️

[@AndrewBarrowmanArt]

My pleasure

[@MarkEGreen-rf4on]

A job well done, Andrew. There's nothing like an oil-primed canvas. I remember using lead primer in the past, it used to take ages to dry; the alkyd titanium primers are far easier to use. Which one are you using? I have even made my own by using good quality decorators' oil primer and adding some whiting to this along with artists' titanium white. The purists would object to this on the basis of permanence, but the acrylic primers have yet to be proved for this as they have not been around for much more than 60 plus years.

[@AndrewBarrowmanArt]

Thank you Mark - I agree on the acrylic primers (and acrylic paint come to that!) I am using Wallace Seymour oil primer at the moment and really like it although it is very thick. I might try making my own too at some point, thanks for the tip. All the best Andrew

[@PS-pn9rd]

More than one coat of rsg is reccomended and not highly recommended on stretched canvas as hygroscopic and can cause cracking but for panels it's ok

[@AndrewBarrowmanArt]

I’m scared to use more than one coat because of the risk of cracking over time. I’ve not had any problems so far - 30 years 🤞🏻

[@judithslawter372]

Thanks Andrew. I learned quite a few things. I like an oil primed surface since it tends to be smooth. I didn’t know I could thin it with turpentine. Is it smooth after a couple of coats?

[@AndrewBarrowmanArt]

Thanks Judith You would probably be best using the primer thicker and sanding lightly for smooth surface. I like a bit of texture usually

[@billbevan9813]

That was brill Andrew. I’ve watched a few videos on this topic with rabbit glue, never tried it myself, but yours was the most straight forward one I’ve seen. What is the top primer you use, I’ve started using Jackson’s thixotropic, gives quite a slick surface. Thank for the vid. Give Basil a pat from me. 👍

[@AndrewBarrowmanArt]

Hi Bill thank you so much. I use an oil primer by Wallace Seymour. I will give Basil a pat from you Cheers - Andrew

[@FranciscoAntonio-rd1eu]

Creo que es muy profesional, aplicando cola de conejo al estilo antiguo medieval y con productos modernos ,gracias. Esta técnica sirve para canvas de madera tipo retablo antiguo?. gracias, felicitaciones.

[@AndrewBarrowmanArt]

Thank you very much. I appreciate your comments and support 😃

[@lenyrazonable1275]

Hello Andrew, thanks for sharing. I am not sure if we have rabbit skin glue in my country. I am not an artist/painter but i want to learn and i came up watching ur video. Hope one day i can make my masterpiece. Thanks and more power.❤

[@AndrewBarrowmanArt]

Sounds great. Thank you for watching. You can use acrylic primer instead of rabbit skin glue gesso 👍🏻

[@lynettesharp7728]

Thanks Andrew! That was very informative. I didn't even know what rabbit skin glue was or looked like. I guess I can buy it at my art supply store? On another note- you have my interest very well peaked as to what your going to paint on the large canvas?😊

[@AndrewBarrowmanArt]

Thank you Lynette Glad you enjoyed the video. You can buy rsg from the art store in various quantities. The big canvases are under way 👍🏻

[@lynettesharp7728]

@@AndrewBarrowmanArt oooooh! Can't wait to see what you painted!

[@almostacrone8046]

I am very new to oil painting and was wondering if you stain after you prime? I have a hard time painting on white and have only seen clear and white primer and gesso.

[@AndrewBarrowmanArt]

Sometimes I brush a colour onto the canvas after priming, before painting. It’s nicer than working on white. Burnt Sienna is a good choice to begin with 👍🏻

[@charlescleveland1992]

Wondering, do you size & prime the tack edges? These often are prone to rot.

[@AndrewBarrowmanArt]

Hi Charles When I do prep my own canvas (which isn't too often as I prefer board) I usually do size all edges and the backs to protect as much as I can

[@69julieannburks]

What about the thin side surfaces? I'm always wondering how much attention they need along with the final creation 🙏🏼

[@AndrewBarrowmanArt]

The sides usually get a layer of glue size and often some primer or gesso. Usually that’s enough 👍🏻

[@muhammadsabry8882]

do i still need to use rsg on pre primed commercial canvases? and if i am going to use acrylic gesso do i need rsg beneath it?

[@AndrewBarrowmanArt]

No - I wouldn’t use rsg on pre primed commercial canvas. It has already been sealed. Acrylic gesso wouldn’t work on top of rsg either. Acrylic gesso can be used by itself as a sealant. Add some water to the first coat then use neat for 2nd and 3rd coat if needed 👍🏻

[@dawnbristoll9426]

Hi I need to oil prime after rabbit skin glue can you recommend I'm painting a Vermeer at this time

[@AndrewBarrowmanArt]

Yes you will need to oil prime next. There are many makes available on the market. Wallace Seymour is very good 👍🏻

[@pamelaharrison4843]

In terms of using oil paint what are the differences between working on an oil primed canvas or an acrylic primed canvas.

[@AndrewBarrowmanArt]

It is my personal taste - I do use acrylic primers if I'm in a hurry but I just don't like acrylic. Feels too plastic for me and I am old school

[@dawnjones82]

Subscribed :)

[@AndrewBarrowmanArt]

Thank you so much Dawn

[@lucb]

Bonsoir Mr Je voudrais savoir si je peux remplacer la colle peau de lapin par de la colle blanche PVA ? Quel le nom de l’apprêt huile que vous utilisez ? Si vous utilisez simplement de l’apprêt acrylique comment procédez vous ? , pour rendre la toile glissante et non absorbante car je trouve que le Gesso absorbe trop la peinture et rend les couleurs ternes . Si vous avez le nom des produits à utiliser je vous remercie par avance Cordialement

[@AndrewBarrowmanArt]

Bonjour I'm not sure about the PVA instead of Rabbit skin glue - I currently use Wallace Seymour oil primer (UK brand) I actually like absorbent surfaces but I don't really like the acrylic primers so I try to make my own. I only use chalk gesso on rigid surfaces like plywood. Hope this helps and thank you for your support Andrew

[@lucb]

@@AndrewBarrowmanArt Bonsoir , je vous remercie pour toutes vos explications . Vivement la prochaine vidéo pour apprécier vos peintures . Cordialement

[@AndrewBarrowmanArt]

Merci Luc

[@amonicafe]

Hey, can i use pva glue instead of rabbit?

[@AndrewBarrowmanArt]

I’m not too sure about that. Ok for acrylic but not sure about oils

[@matthewjones7916]

nice

[@AndrewBarrowmanArt]

Thank you 😊

[@rosalynnpat]

有沒有其他非動物膠可以代替兔皮膠？

[@AndrewBarrowmanArt]

Pva may work. I’m sure there are non animal alternatives out there but I don’t use them at the moment

[@tonymilroy9684]

Hi Andrew, which oil primer do you use?

[@AndrewBarrowmanArt]

Hi Tony This was Wallace Seymour from Art Req shop in UK - very good brand for all things painting

[@tonymilroy9684]

@@AndrewBarrowmanArt thanks Andrew

[@AndrewBarrowmanArt]

@@tonymilroy9684 you're welcome

[@pocahontasseguinart7099]

Do you have to Use rabbit because I don’t believe in That . I’ve protective of gods animals . Can you give me some tips how to make my own masters artist gesso that’s green or ap nontoxic and no animal /animal Testing that will work for all types of paint mediums and soft and oil pastels for paper and any canvas with no cracks . Been using Paul Ruben’s and sennelier oil pastels and been using sennelier, and winsor Newton and u.s.a paints that’s water color , acrylic and oils. 5:21

[@AndrewBarrowmanArt]

I think all of the traditional glues used in gesso are animal based. Not sure of any modern alternatives that give the same results. If I find something I will share it Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this topic 👍🏻

[@pocahontasseguinart7099]

@@AndrewBarrowmanArt your welcome and thank you .

[@randolphfriend8260]

🩷

[@kyststudio-epicartadventure]

That will eventually crack on canvas. Mount your canvas to wood so it can’t flex.

[@AndrewBarrowmanArt]

I agree - if I'd used a chalk / glue gesso, but this was an oil based primer which doesn't have that risk on a sized canvas. I had to size it first to stop the canvas rotting with the oil paint over time. I would still rather use this method than priming with acrylic. I've made the mistake of using cold wax medium with oils on a canvas on a painting in the past and that did crack and peel off! Fortunately it happened before selling the painting! Thank you for your comments

[@fnava2642]

Please make a video to show us your technique.

[@douglasacosta4989]

Ohne die Rückseite zu behandelt ist ein schwer wiegender Fehler....

[@AndrewBarrowmanArt]

That is a good point Douglas - maybe I should retro size the back

[@douglasacosta4989]

@@AndrewBarrowmanArt Hi Andre, es muss immer die Spannung zwischen Rückwand und Vorderwand ausgeglichen werden, vor allem wenn später mit Ölfarben gemalt wird, ebenso evtl. eine Stopbarriere mit Dammarfirnis um die Saugfähigkeit des Malgrundes zu verringern..... Viele Grüße Douglas

[@AndrewBarrowmanArt]

@@douglasacosta4989 thank you very much for the advice Douglas - I will balance both sides of canvas in future preparations. Best wishes - Andrew

[@douglasacosta4989]

@@AndrewBarrowmanArt 👍👍👍🎨

[@marrissadonet698]

No animal skin glue, gross and cruel.

[@AndrewBarrowmanArt]

Any suggestions that is environmentally friendly and works as well?

[@inthetearoom]

of course she doesn't ​@@AndrewBarrowmanArt

[@jfrancese8859]

The glue is a by product, and the rabbit is consumed. Animals kill other animals not just for eating but to your way of thinking, in the cruelest and most sadistic way. A fox, wild dogs etc will kill lambs and leave them strewn over the land. A crow will eat the eyes of a lamb not yet dead yet. All cats play with their prey causing heart failure from fear. Fish eat other fish whole, wasps pull bees into their holes made of web. The animal kingdom is survival of the fittest. And if you were sent back to a time of stone age man having your mentality, you would not survive a day. At least most people who feel the love of animals do it humanely. We have regulations/laws that govern who and how animals are killed. Not trying to be nasty, bc your sentiment is goodwilled, but misguided through ignorance. Have a beautiful day.