Acrylic gesso
- a polymer emulsion paint.
- dries quickly to form a strong hard ground that is resistant to moisture, thus eliminating the need for a preliminary application of sizing.
- impervious to the acidic action of oxidizing oil paint.
- apply 2-3 coats
- depending on the brand, the gesso can be thinned down with water to a more manageable consistency.
- too little gesso – surface will absorb the paint too much; if u turn the canvas over, you’ll see the paint bleed thru to the other side.
- too much gesso – covers up the canvas texture and creates a slick, greasy surface that doesn’t accept paint properly.
- 2-3 thin coats r better than 1 thick coat –> also more likely to crack.
- use a 3-inch house-painting brush
- 1st coat needs to be scrubbed in to make sure it completely covers the fibers of the canvas, and then brushed out.
- brush the 1st coat in 1 direction and the 2nd in the other, so that it reinforces the tooth of the canvas.
- make sure to allow sufficient drying time – overnight is always sufficient.
[Links]
- http://www.craftsy.com/blog/2015/09/how-to-prime-a-canvas/
- http://www.art-is-fun.com/what-is-gesso/
[Video tutorial]