How To Gesso a Canvas?

How To Gesso a Canvas?

 

Oil Paint

  

     

Gesso For Oil Painting

          Before starting oil painting, it is very important to prime the canvas you are going to use. Acrylic Gesso is commonly used for that. Oil paints are acidic in nature and can damage your canvas. After a while the canvas gets damaged or torn. The canvas you are using is made of natural materials, such as cotton and linen. They absorb the oil paint after some time. This can lead to problems such as fading, dullness of valuable pictures you have drawn. if you do not prime the canvas, the color layer will not spread evenly. Difficulty in hitting the brush etc. Problems of sorts can occur. Therefore, it is very important to prime the canvas before starting the drawing.

 

Canvas

         

           The easiest and best way to prime a canvas is to gesso. gesso is a waterbase medium, it forms a protective layer between your paint and the canvas. So that your colors stick to the canvas. They spread evenly everywhere, retaining their luster and texture. gesso protects the canvas from your oil paint. As mentioned above, gesso is a waterbase medium,In which white acrylic is used. Hence it is also called Acrylic Gesso.

Types Of Gesso:

               White Gesso is commonly used. But you can use Gesso which is available in the market in different colors. Such as Black, Clear and other colors. There are many brands available in the market. Such as Camel Camlin Kokuyo Artist Gesso, Brustro, Liquitex, Winson & Newton, Sennelier , Golden etc.

How To Apply Gesso:

Gesso

             Take the canvas on which you want to paint first. (Pre Stretched Canvas) Place it on a flat surface, you can take Gesso from a small container. You can use the right size brush according to the size of your canvas. You can use Soft Brushes for best results. With the help of a brush, make the first layer of Gesso uniform so that Gesso spreads evenly everywhere. Gesso on all four sides of the canvas. Now leave the canvas in the shade for 15 to 20 minutes to dry. When the first layer of gesso dries completely, you can level the surface with the help of sandpaper. You can clean the layer of dust with the help of a dry brush.

Gesso On Canvas

               Now you can add 2 to 3 more layers as per your need. Give at least 2 layers for best results. One thing to keep in mind here is that if Horizontal Brush Strocks are used while applying the first layer, then Verticle Brush Strocks should be used while applying the second layer so that Gesso fits all the parts evenly and you get a good texture. Also the first layer takes less time to dry and the second layer takes longer. You can touch the canvas and see if it feels cold, then the surface is not dry yet. When the second layer is completely dry, your canvas is ready for use.

How To Make Gesso At Home :

  

Homemade Gesso :

Homemade Gesso

Gesso Substitute           

Acrylic Polymer Medium (binder), Calcium carbonate (chalk), White Acrylic Pigmaint are the major components in gesso. If you do not have gesso available, you can use white acrylic or make gesso at home. For this you need Talcum powder (Plaster of Paris), White Glue and White Acrylic. In a glass bowl, take equal amount of Talcum powder (Plaster of Paris) and White Glue and mix well with the help of a brush. Take double the amount of White Acrylic and mix it all with the right amount of water. Your Homemade Gesso is ready.

This way you can prime the canvas using Gesso.

If You Want To Know More About Acrylic Supplies please visit our blogg - Acrylic Painting Material for Beginners

If You Have Any Questions Let Me Know In Comment Box.

Thank You.