How to Prime Your Canvas for Acrylics and Oils (2024)

Once you have a stretched canvas, the next step is to prime itso you can start painting.A primer seals and protects the support,makes the canvas less absorbent, helpsthe colors stand out, can provide a smoother surface with enough tooth for the paint to bind onto,and is, therefore, an excellent surface for both acrylic and oil. With a ready-madegessosuitable for both acrylic and oil painting, priming is very easy.

Materials Needed

• Gesso that is suitable for oil or acrylic. Acrylic gesso such asGolden Acrylic Gessocan be used for both oil and acrylic. (Note: The acrylic gesso that is good for priming and readily available in stores is not authentic gesso, which is traditionally prepared with animal glue and chalk. Most artists no longer use authentic gesso.)
• Stretched canvas
• Large house-painting brushes three inches wide, foam brush, or a paint roller for an even coat of paint. For smaller canvases use smaller versions of these tools, but the largest possible to do the job.
• Fine sandpaper if you want to sand the layers of gesso for a smoother surface
• Container of water
• Rags or paper towel
• Drop cloth, newsprint, or newspaper on which to lay your canvas
• Pushpins

Priming Steps

1. Make sure you buy a bottle of gesso that is suitable for both acrylic and oil painting. This dries very fast and is painted directly onto the stretched canvas.
2. Stirthe container very well before using. Do not skip this step!
3. Decide whether you're going to apply one or a few coats of gesso. One coat gives a rougher finish. Two coats are recommended for a good overall finish.If you are applying only one coat, use the gesso as it comes out of the bottle for added thickness and surface coverage.
4. If you are going to apply several coats, dilute the gesso of the first coat with a little bit of water to a thickness of heavy cream. Different brands of gesso have different viscosities. You may find that you need to add more or less water depending on the brand of gesso you are using. You can also add a bit ofacrylic gloss medium with the water to help prevent cracking of the gesso, although this is not often a problem.
5. Using a clean, wide brush or rollerapply the gesso directly to the stretched canvas in even strokes. Work from the top to the bottom of the canvas, in parallel strokes from one edge to the other.
6. Remember to paint the edges of the canvas, too, witheach new layer of gesso.
7. Let the first layer dry for a few hours.
8. You may want to move your painting slightly at this point so it does not become stuck to any newspaper or newsprint underneath it.
9. In the meantime, wash your brush out immediately with soap and water. Once the gesso has dried on a brush, it won't come out.
10. When the first layer has dried (it is no longer cool to the touch) you can sand it lightly with fine sandpaper if you want a smoother surface.
11. If applying two coats, apply the second coat in the direction perpendicular to the first coat. This coat can be thicker than the first coat.
12. Let the coat dry, and sand again if you want a very smooth surface.
13. Clean your brushes again.
14. You can add yet another layer of gesso if you want. The choice is yours. You can also add a little acrylic paint to your gesso if you want to add a hint of color to create a colored ground on which to do your painting.