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Canvas Paintings - Preparation of Canvas Paintings in Oil and Acrylic
Remember that the quality of
canvas paintings in either
oil or acrylic depends, in part, on the proper preparation of the
canvas. So even if you can't wait to begin working on your masterpiece, you should first take the time to prepare your
canvas, and be sure to do it the right way.
You should prime the
canvas after stretching. For this, you can use a ready-made gesso that
can be used for both acrylic and
oils. Note that an acrylic gesso can be used for
oil paintings, but gesso for
oils cannot be used for acrylic
paintings, as the acrylic paint will not stick to the
canvas.
Be sure to shake the bottle of gesso really well before using. This is a must! Keep in mind, too, that the gesso dries very fast, so you should apply it directly to the stretched
canvas.
Decide whether to apply a single or multiple coats of gesso. Applying a single coat results in a rougher finish. If you want to apply a singe coat, use the gesso directly from the bottle. However, if you want to apply several coats then you should first dilute the gesso in a mixture of one-half water and one-half acrylic gloss medium. Diluting the gesso only in water can make the gesso crack.
You can use an old, wide brush to apply the gesso on your
canvas. Apply the gesso on your stretched
canvas in even, parallel strokes, from top to bottom and from one edge to the other. Other than diluting the
canvas, you can also achieve a smoother finish by sanding the
canvas in between coats. Be sure to immediately wash your brush with soap and water after you've finished applying the gesso. The gesso can no longer be removed once it gets dried in the brush.
You may also use cheap decorating brushes for your
canvas preparation. Just be sure to wash it several times, as the hairs tend to fall out. You can also cut off some of the hairs if you want a thinner brush.
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