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How to Gesso a Canvas. You can’t expect to paint a masterpiece on untreated cloth.
Here’s how to gesso, or prime, a homemade canvas in a hurry. You will need Some gesso
Water A plastic mixing bowl Drop cloth Fine-grit sandpaper A large 4-inch house paintbrush
Squeegee and a smaller 1/2-inch detail house paintbrush. Step 1. In a plastic mixing bowl,
combine gesso and water, according to the instructions on the gesso container. Step
2. Mix vigorously. Mix the substance thoroughly and smoothly, into a consistency similar to
melted chocolate. It should run off the spoon like paint and have no lumps. Step 3. Place
some drop cloth down in your work area. Step 4. Lay the canvas down on top of the drop
cloth. Step 5. Gently sand the canvas surface down to get rid of stray strands of cotton
and create a consistent, even surface. Step 6. Wet your house paintbrush with water and
squeeze it dry so it doesn’t soak up excess gesso. Step 7. Plop a dollop of gesso on to
the canvas and begin working it back and forth in parallel strokes with a house paintbrush.
The gesso should be as evenly and thinly distributed as possible. Some painters prefer to use a
squeegee for this instead of the brush. Step 8. Don't forget to coat the edges. The edges
will drip a little, so use a smaller brush to work the excess gesso back into the sides.
Step 9. When the first coat is complete, wash your paintbrush thoroughly. Step 10. Leave
the canvas flat and allow it to dry for at least an hour. Step 11. Once the first coat
is dry, gently sand it to even out the surface, and then dust off any grit. Step 12. Repeat
steps 6 through 8, but this time make your strokes perpendicular to the original application
of primer. Step 13. You can continue adding coats until the surface is as smooth as you
need it to be, but two will usually suffice. Allow the canvas to dry overnight—now the
real work can begin. Did you know Canvas was first used as backing for paintings during
the 15th century Italian Renaissance.