Drawing & Painting Tips : How to Prime Canvas to Paint It

[gregsandyas2006]

Jesso? I never heard of that before, but then again, I"m VERY new to painting. I'm not earning a living right now so I'll have to wait until May to purchase this Jesso stuff. Do you know if Jesso washes off of hands easily with water? Thanks

[barbiesandninjas]

@gregsandyas2006 Gesso is an acrylic base so yes it washes off your hands easily with water, just as acrylic paint does, and it's not pricey at all, you can get a bottle of gesso for $5-$7 at your local craft store

[MichiganTreasure]

I like your style. When it comes to fabric painting, this is the best way to prime the canvas for oil or acrylic artwork. Lots of people today say linen is better but that hasn't been what I've found. I have a cotton canvas mount about 40 years old that looks like the day it was first done and I never even had to tighten the canvas. I do have to constantly re-stretch linen mounts. I had to laugh when your sponge brush broke because that happens to me so many times. Great job, thanks!

[hippiebusHXC]

is priming only done when using oil? or acrylic too? cause ive been having a lot of trouble painting on canvas.

[xXNHMXx]

@hippiebusHXC ya same here when I put paint on the canvas it comes out all smudgy and not solid lines.

[barbiesandninjas]

@hippiebusHXC you should always prime a canvas no matter what sort of paint (or other medium) you're using. canvas is a fabric so it is porous and will absorb your paint and it will soak through if not primed, which is not what you want. think of it like you're sealing up the canvas before you paint on it, as well as creating a smooth surface so you don't have to deal with the texture of the canvas either.

[nightmarefacility]

it's better to use a wet sponge, (like a car wash sponge cut in half), and apply it circularly. also, if it's acrylic gesso, you can tint it any color using acrylic paints.

[freakyflow]

I just bought my first Canvas today and was looking for tips However i been doing autobody for years NEVER sand in circles or with the tips of your fingers it will leave grooves always use a block or the flat palm of your hand and criss cross strokes to have a true flat surface Did he put the primer on in circles? why sand it that way then ?

[mikedeg13]

@freakyflow dude, different strokes for different folks, this aint autobody and if this is your first canvas than, well you know....Btw, Ed Hubbs rules.

[freakyflow]

@mikedeg13 Yup when it comes to canvas i seen now many diffrent ways people work on them my painting i finshed..had a friends mom see it and want to buy lol not knowing it was my first..I gave her the pic free ..little pat on the back and ya Ed hubbs is a god : )

[HELLawaitsall59]

Do you have to do 4 coats?

I only did one and I didn't even sand it. Is that bad?

I'm going to use acrylic on the canvas, so I need tips...I'm a noob at this.

[mikeyangelo316]

Yes you should do 3 to 4 coats. Especially if its acrylic!.

and the idea of priming or "Jessowing" the canvas is so that you have a smooth surface to work on.

If you look at your canvas before the jessow, youll notice that its not too smooth. The canvas has a bunch of dents and bumps. Priming allows you to have nice smooth strokes when you paint,, Hope that was helpfull.

Subscribe to my channel. Im an artist as well. =)

[HELLawaitsall59]

Thanks

[xXNHMXx]

@mikeyangelo316 but do you have to sand it?

[kidzsanlorenzo]

well if he was good at it he would be a artist and not own an art shop... but he's ok :)

[GraffitiZERO]

WHERE DID THE OTHER GUY GO??!!??!!

[Hariom12]

Very good tips!

[this1is1me]

very good!