Prepairing canvas for acrylic painting?

Is there something I'm suppose to put done on the canvas before painting in acrylics. like a foundation?Prepairing canvas for acrylic painting?
Cover the canvas with GESSO. Better than Rabbit Skin glue as no rabbits are involved.





Gesso is a white pigment in a glue binder --like a primer only more expensive, and made specifically for fine art applications.





Since you are using acrylic, it is not absolutely necessary to do this(archivally), but it will keep your paint from sinking into your canvas, if it's thin and wash-y, and will give you a nice smooth serface to begin with. You can put a coat on, sand it and then apply another coat to make it super smooth.Prepairing canvas for acrylic painting?
It is possible to paint straight onto canvas using acrylics,however the painted colours do sink a bit and an undercoat is preferable for two reasons.


1 the paint sinks in less and has a richer colour if used on a light ground.


2 In the event of restoration being necessary in the future it would be possible to replace the canvas.


Be carefull with Gesso as several types exist with binders different to acrylic,read the label carefully before you choose which type of Gesso you use.Primers with acrylic bases have been used since the 1960s,when I trained and household white wood primers with acrylic bases are perfectly usable,as is good quality emulsion paint which has been my chosen primer on washed canvas since 1964,with no sign of deterioration to the work.
Acrylics you don't have to do anything. But... gesso is good because... it is acrylic paint with a bit of chalk mixed in.


This not only seals the canvas so your paint doesnt soak in, (gesso is a LOT cheaper than tubes of paint.)





The chalk also helps provide some ';tooth'; for your paint to sit on.





Since gesso IS acrylic paint, it's not necessary to use before painting in acrylic.


It is if you ever switch to oils though. Oil will rot canvas, so you need that barrier.
Are you using store bought (manufactured) canvases? Usually the canvases purchased at Michaels or Hobby Lobby are already primed so you don鈥檛 have to do anything to prepare them. But if you鈥檙e making your own then you will want to prime them with Gesso. Two coats are usually sufficient. Brush or roll length way and let dry. Then roll or brush width way (chris-cross over lapping pattern.) Sand it smooth (if necessary) with 220 grit all-purpose sandpaper. Wipe it off with a damp cloth. Let it thoroughly dry (if you want) and paint away.





Good luck and always:


Keep Arting!


Jeff (weseye) Wesley
I cover mine with gesso. you can buy it


where you purchase your acrylic paint.


This will give you a smoother surface to


work with. Also if you add medium to your


acrylic paint you can work it easier!


good luck
I've painted many times with acrylic, and if there's prep work...it's new to me. So, I would say no. Have at it.