Before painting on a blank painting canvas, it is necessary
to properly prepare it. Artists differ in their preferred method of
preparation, but there are some basic steps that need to be followed.
Canvases for painting consist of fabric, usually either
cotton or linen, stretched upon a frame. In their initial state, the fabric is
not primed, which would cause paint to seep through the fabric. Not only would
this make it difficult to paint, but over time, the oil paint would deteriorate
the fabric. As such, proper priming is necessary when starting out with a blank
canvas.
If the stretched canvas consists of only the raw fabric, the
first step is to size it. Sizing is necessary to protect the fabric itself, as
it acts as a sealant. Sizing generally consists of a thin animal glue solution.
The front surface of the canvas should be primed, as well as the corners and
sides.
Once the sizing has dried, the ground coat is applied. The
ground coat gives the canvas surface a uniform texture, degree of absorbency,
and color. It provides a good base for the oil paints that will be applied, and
also adds more protection to the canvas.
Gesso is the most common material used for the ground coat
when a canvas is being prepared for oil painting. Basically, gesso is a
material that combines a white pigment with oil. It can either be prepared by
the artist, or purchased ready to be applied to the canvas. It comes in a
variety of different consistencies so that the artist can choose the one that
best suits his or her needs and painting style. Although a cream style
consistency is often used, some gesso has a paste-like consistency that can be
used to add more texture to the blank painting canvas. It is also possible to
obtain gesso in colors other than white. Water-based gesso products are also
available, but these are more commonly used for acrylic painting.
If a smooth painting surface is needed, gesso is best
applied to the blank painting canvas using several thinner coats. If a rougher
and more textured surface is desired, one coat may suffice. Smoother surfaces
work best for paintings that involve fine detail.
The gesso should be stirred before applying it to the blank
painting canvas. If a smooth painting surface is desired, brush the gesso onto
the canvas in a single direction. Clean the brush used to apply the gesso so
that it does not harden. After the first coat is dry, sandpaper can gently be
used to smooth the surface. After sanding, thoroughly remove the dust from the
canvas surface with a soft, dry cloth. Apply the second coat of gesso, brushing
it on in the opposite direction of the first coat. As with the sizing, the
ground coat should be applied to the corners and sides of a stretched canvas,
as these areas also require protection. Once the ground coat is dry, the canvas
can be used for painting.
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