Great masters such as Vermeer, Botticelli and Rembrandt treated their painting materials and supplies with reverence because raw materials needed to make paints, brushes and canvas were so difficult to obtain. One of the ways they made certain their legacy of artwork stood the test of time was to seal their cloth canvas surfaces with a primer called gesso. To fortify your canvas so it will stand up to layers of oils and solvents, follow the simple instructions in this article before you start your first--or next--painting. Priming is still the only way to ensure that art will remain pristine for decades to come, and your work deserves no less.
Instructions
1. Prepare a work area by putting down drop cloths or newspapers on a table, or stand the raw canvas, which may be fabricated of any closely woven cotton or linen threads, on an easel to do the job.
2. Shake gesso thoroughly to make certain there is no separation of contents, then pour about a cup of the primer into a paper cup or jar, leaving room for a little water. Read instructions on the gesso you have purchased for gesso-to-water mixing recommendations. If you find none, constrain the blend to no more than one part water to two parts of gesso. Mix with a plastic spoon until the gesso is thinned to the right consistency
3. Dip your gesso brush into a glass of water to soften the bristles, and then saturate the brush with the primer, being careful to apply the agent to the canvas evenly so no lumps or rough spots form.
4. Stick to one brush direction as you prime the canvas. Continue to remove excess gesso from the brush as you go to keep the strokes consistent. Don't stop at the canvas edges. Gesso is being used to seal and protect the surface, so cover the sides of the canvas, too.
5. Make certain every inch of the canvas is evenly covered with the gesso, but work quickly to avoid having one area of the canvas absorb the agent while the remainder stays damp.
6. Allow the canvas to dry for at least an hour. While you're waiting, clean your gesso brushes with soap and water so none of the agent is left behind to weaken the bristles. If the gesso is allowed to dry, you won't be able to use the brush again.
7. Use a sheet of ultra-fine sandpaper to refine the surface. Your fingers will be able to tell when the entire canvas is smooth to the touch. Dust away dried gesso remnants with a soft cloth or brush.
8. Add a second layer of gesso by repeating steps three to five. This time, use the brush to put down strokes in the opposite direction. Some artists like to repeat this step a third time to attain the texture and level of protection they seek.
