How To Gesso Canvas Professionally. Painting Prep Made Easy!

Part II of II. Find Part I here: • How to Stretch Canvas ...
All painters need to stretch and gesso canvas for their work. Relying on store bought canvas supports is fine for beginners but insufficient as you advance in your practice. You need to have the ability to stretch and gesso your supports, and in these two videos we take you through that process step-by-step.
Preparing your own canvas with gesso is a pivotal step in creating a durable and quality painting surface. This practice not only makes the canvas more economical and customizable compared to store-bought alternatives but also enhances its longevity and sturdiness. The application of gesso serves dual purposes: acting as a protective barrier and tightening the canvas.
When painting with acrylics, raw canvas behaves similarly to untreated wood, absorbing excessive amounts of paint which dulls the initial layers. For oil painting, applying oils directly onto raw canvas can lead to fabric deterioration over time, compromising the artwork's longevity. Gesso mitigates these issues by sealing the canvas, preventing the absorbent nature of the raw fabric from impacting the paint's vibrancy and preserving the integrity of the canvas against the corrosive nature of oil paints.
The process of gessoing not only conditions the canvas surface for painting but also tightens it. As gesso dries, it contracts, pulling the canvas taut and creating a rigid, smooth surface. This tightness is crucial for maintaining the canvas's integrity against environmental changes, such as shifts in temperature and humidity, ensuring the painting's surface remains uncompromised over time.
Gesso comes in varying viscosities, with professional-grade options being thicker (and more expensive) but offering better coverage and longevity. Thinning professional-grade gesso with water for initial layers ensures deeper penetration into the canvas, making the product more economical over the long run despite its higher upfront cost.
The application technique, starting from the center and moving outwards, promotes uniform drying and contraction, contributing to an evenly taut surface. Addressing the canvas's texture post-gesso application involves light sanding to smooth out any raised fibers, creating a preferable surface for painting. The decision to apply additional layers, up to three to five as recommended, depends on the artist's preference for the canvas's texture.
As a vital component of canvas preparation, gesso application is both a science and an art. It requires practice to perfect, with the number of layers, the consistency of the gesso, and the subsequent sanding between layers tailored to the artist's specific needs and preferences. Ultimately, a well-prepared canvas is the foundation of a lasting artwork, ready to withstand the rigors of creative expression and the test of time.

[@kathleen_ohara520]

two videos in one day (O 0 O) spoiling us

[@brendajeannewyche2294]

Thank you.❤️😊

[@PaintParty-dn5ck]

You're most welcome!