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Priming a canvas for acrylic
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Message
Posted
The subject of "gesso" (which apparently isn't) has come up in the past but I can't remember the thread or find it. I remember that some POL artists have reasons for not liking it. I have been using this so-called acrylic gesso to prime my canvases but find it really dry to paint over, and can lead to small areas where the paint doesn't take easily. I can with some effort get coverage but don't like it. Am I doing something wrong applying it? Or applying the paint (I usually use an acrylic medium with it)? Or is there a better option, something like one of the acrylic mediums? Many thanks in advance.
Posted
It's better described as acrylic primer; 'gesso' is a plaster, rarely used these days, I think, but manufacturers seized on the term as a simple word which, I suppose, fairly explained what it was FOR, rather than what it was.
It can be very dry - I've often noticed the same thing, and it's a struggle to get the early washes or layers of paint moving under the brush. The one I use most is made by (goes to have a quick check...) Daler-Rowney; there's a System3 version, and a Cryla version - I'm unsure of the difference between them, or even if there is one, but both are good to paint on: not too chalky and dry in consistency, and also not too slick. Both can be applied with roller or brush, or even painting or palette knife if you like a strongly featured surface (give it a day or two to cure). A primer which leaves areas where the paint doesn't take is one to be avoided.
I should know, but have forgotten - do you paint mostly in oil or acrylic? If the latter, I'd suggest a preliminary wash of diluted colour over your priming; not only does it help the reading of tones, it also provides a somewhat more receptive surface. If the former, more Turps (or alternative) or a medium consisting of part Turps and part Linseed or bodied oil, e.g. stand oil.
Alan Bickley is well versed in the handling of oil paint on board or canvas, and perhaps he can help. There used to be oil-primed boards available (obviously just for oil paint) which I remember as offering a beautiful surface - usually prepared with a lead white; so I guess they're very hard to find now. Not that this is relevant if you're using acrylics.
So - I doubt you're doing anything wrong, but maybe search out a higher quality priming and start your layering with water-diluted paint, rather than medium. See how you get on with that, and let us know.
Incidentally - as a further recommendation for ACF polyester canvases, I find them pleasant to work on in both oil and acrylic; though Alan, I know, seeks a rougher surface than seems to be currently offered.
Posted
In fairness to ACF canvases, whilst I do generally prefer a rougher canvas, I have painted a few decent pieces… so I’ve not given up on them by any means -
This was my first attempt using them:
We’re calling it canvas, but of course it isn’t, it’s a synthetic polymer… Robert will know the correct term, I’m guessing!
Windsor Castle from Eton Fields… oil on 40x50cm ACF canvas.
Edited
by Alan Bickley
Posted
Robert, thank-you very much for your comprehensive and very helpful reply, and Alan also for the gorgeous painting on ACF canvas. I second John's comment that we'd love to see more like that. Robert, I paint in acrylics, thought that the primer I have was reasonable quality, but will discuss this next time I go to the place where I get my supplies, they are very helpful and knowledgeable. They've given up stocking Daler Rowney here, some problem which I can't remember now, apparently DR not very helpful over it. I like your advice about an initial wash of water diluted paint, that might have been what I was doing wrong. I'll let you know how that works but as I already have my next two canvases ready to go it will be a little while. However I know how to find this thread and will definitely come back to it.
Posted
Sandra, no idea what primer you're using, of course ... can you get Winsor & Newton's, Golden, or Liquitex primer out there? I know D-R can be a bit sticky to deal with - not so bad if you can get through their PR department to those who know about the products they sell; they push one line very hard, and neglect the others - eg they make good quality artists' oils, but flog the Georgian range to death; and while it's always easy to buy System 3, the stockists of Cryla acrylic seem oddly few and far between. It is not for us to know the arcane workings or art companies' minds, I suppose... Incidentally, if not the primer, could it be the board or canvas that's the problem? Try washing it first - just a good scrub with water - then leave till dry; then prime - then wait a couple of days before painting.
And Laura - good, isn't it? Alan is the benchmark of quality against which some of us judge ourselves!
Posted
The primer I'm using is Liquitex basics. I don't recollect the one I had before that, but don't think I had the same problems with it. I'm going to try an Atelier one, it seems to be more fluid and as sanding isn't an issue for me it might work better. We do get Golden and WN products here, haven't checked out about their primers, will try this one first. And your suggestion of water diluted paint. I'll keep your suggestion of washing the canvas in mind, as a last resort. I'll let you know but it could be a few days.
Posted
Memory came back this morning Robert. The "gesso" I had before was Liquitex artist grade (the more expensive one) and I don't remember the same dryness problem. They explained in the shop that basics would not have been ground as fine, that could explain it? As I don't want to waste a whole tube of this stuff I'm going to blitz a failed painting with it, let it dry, then try your water diluted paint suggestion for base layers. I'll try to get this done and get back to you before the thread dies. If it works I can save it for canvases I intend to recycle once I get motivated to sort them out, and use my new one for new canvases. I use some Liquitex Basics paint and don't have a problem with it so wasn't expecting to with their primer.
Posted
Good morning Sandra - well, it's morning for me; the 'good' part is arguable.
The answer to that depends on the consistency of the paint, but - no more than is needed to make it easily workable. Acrylic paints vary greatly - some take more dilution than others - and I think you're using Liquitex, of which I have no experience. The late Syd Edward would have jumped in here to tell you to be careful the paint isn't underbound, because it can flake off. Well - he and I disagreed about that; most acrylic paints can take a great deal of dilution, the more likely cause of flaking off is the surface quality of the support. If you make a mix that's 25% water to paint, you should be entirely safe, the more fluid the paint out of the tube the less water you'll need. We should be looking at something like a fairly strong watercolour wash, brushed well into the weave of the canvas. Then in with the full-bodied paint, with only as much dilution as you really need, whether water or medium.
Good luck!
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