Artwork & Painting?

Question

I want to do a painting in acrylics. Should I first prime or paint the canvas white? Is there a special white paint for this purpose or should I just use the acrylic white?

Hmm... To Gesso or not to gesso. Thanks everyone.. sigh.. I'm only a novice.

Answer 1

If you are going to paint with acrylic paint you don't have to prime the canvas. You can jus paint over it .
The other option is you can prime it with gesso , but gesso is just easy flowing cheap acrylic paint. You can buy it in any art store.
Lot of artists when they prime with gesso they tint it with acrylic color so they get a nice neutral background.
Acrylic paint is a synthetic non acydic medium so you can use it on canvas directly, some artists even leave parts of the canvas exposed.

Answer 2

You need to prime it with Gesso. It comes in big tubs that will last you forever. Painting the canvas white is probably not a good idea because the acrylic will just soak into and through the canvas.

You can find Gesso for reasonable prices in any art store.

Answer 3

Hi Aldara,,,PING,,, No pressure.

I gesso occasionally. In my frame of reference it depends on whether or not I want the finished piece to hang in the Louvre or just be a test that may in fact be keepable.

Practicing, or setting up what may become an icon is largely driven by what you might want to achieve.

I've very likely disposed of more than I've kept,,,even on canvas.

In a situation where you aren't buying at a big box store or discounter, then I'll suggest that many canvases are pre treated, Gesso is just another step to add longevity to a piece. That said,,, Canvas, especially pre stretched isn't something many of us can afford to throw out,,,however, the beauty of paint, no matter the base, is that it can be painted over,,,IE: many masters or copies, forgeries, etc.

Design this entire situation as a place where you, the Novice, can express yourself, freely, with less worry about the piece lasting lifetimes.

I've been "painting" since I could hold a brush, and have often,,, Though this will offend many "ARTEEEEEESTS,. used regular house paint primer and colors,,, as they too are acrylic, in esssence.

Canvas board is good to go, as is. If I sent you a bit of muslin??? It was treated in some ways, to reflect moisture, and should be primed. Gesso isn't elitist, per say, but it isn't always as much the issue, as what you want to create, achieve, and perhaps re-do in your process and evolution.

BTW,,,, to you, and all others here. OILS are the primary rational for applying Gesso,,,not Acrylics. And Canvas is only ONE of perhaps hundreds of painatble "THINGS" we can express ourselves on. I use anything available if the muse nudges me,,,smiles.

Rev. Steven

I love you anyway,,,PING

Answer 4

Since you are using acrylics, you don't really need to gesso your canvas. Gesso creates a barrier from the oil in oil paints that will rot the canvas. HOWEVER, a layer of gesso will seal the surface of the canvas making it less absorbant which is probably good, depending on what kind of painting you want to do.

Good luck.

John Cichowski M.F.A.
New York Academy of Art

Answer 5

You can leave the canvas unprimed if you are going to work in acrylic wash - it's a very nice technique and makes for great color layering! Otherwise, prime with Gesso - it will create a clean "sealed" base to paint on and you will use less of your expensive pigments once the canvas is primed and not absorbent.

Answer 6

I believe you should prime the canvas with Gesso.

Answer 7

acrylic can either be water based or oil based, which ever way you go..you should prime your canvas first with white latex paint, after it dries, sand it a little to give it a bit of a texture and so the pigment will "cling" on the canvas

Answer 8

hey just use white paint if u need to but the gesso should do just fine

Answer 9

Yes, you have to prime the canvas, you can buy pre-whitened canvases, but white emulation should work just fine, it just gives a tight surface for you to work on.

There is also something you can add to acrylic to slow down the drying time, it is best to find an art shop near you, but place like "Book works" UK, sell art material for really good prices!

Answer 10

They're called icons. Usually decorated with gold etc and coming from the orthodox church. You can find them in Russia and other pkaces too