Painting on canvas(acrylic)?

Question

How do I need to prepare the canvas before painting on it, so that the uneven surface will be smooth?

Will just a layer of paint do it, or is there special product for it? If paint, how much?

Thanks!

Answer 1

I'm an airbrush artist, and I work on canvas as well as automotive projects. I know what you're talking about.
A friend of mine, A.D.Cook, wrote an article for a magazine explaining how to prep a canvas so it's ultra smooth...
You'll need :
White gesso
a wallpaper border application tool (plastic with two edges)
300-400 grit wet dry sandpaper.
sanding block of some sort (to wrap the sand paper around).

The idea is to spread thin coats of gesso as thin as possible on to the working side of the canvas. Strive for as few 'ridges' as possible. Once you've built up about 3 coats and everythings very dry, sand it wet with the sandpaper and block (a spritz bottle helps keep everything wet)...wipe it all down with a cloth, let dry and assess whether or not you need to re-apply more coats and sand again.

Answer 2

You can use acrylic white gesso, three coats. Wait six hours between coats, (more time if not yet dry), and sand the surface with fine sandpaper before adding the next coat.

However, traditionally the weave in canvas is prized by many artists because of the subtle pattern and texture it gives the painting. If you want a completely smooth surface to paint on, you should consider a wood panel. Use fine 3/16" birch plywood and reinforce it on the reverse with strong 1" x 2" strips, glued with polyurethane glue and clamped, so it won't warp in the years ahead. The glue should have 24 hours to dry. Coat the front with gesso as above, use a paint roller here rather than a brush, and in this case two layers finely sanded should be enough.

You could also use masonite instead of plywood. 1/4" is good, make sure the reverse is reinforced with wood strips to prevent future warping.

Answer 3

I presume the canvas is already stretched and on the frame?

The canvas needs to be sized, you can buy sizing fluid from an art shop or some people just use a weak PVA mixture brushed on the back.

Using PVA again brush in one direction only on the front of the canvas allow to dry. PVA is sold in art shops or even builders merchants - cheaper- sold as unibond - buy a 5 litre tub, cheap and many uses!

turn through 90 degrees and brush in one direction again.

allow to dry

you should now have a fine criss cross surface which is ideal for holding paint.

Some people then put a fine white undercoat.

remember to do the edges of the canvas, looks so much better

Answer 4

Use diluted paint or varnish. I tried painting on masonite with gesso for the first time and loved it. It's cheaper than stretched canvas also!

Answer 5

Use hardboard (masonite) panels instead...wonderfuuly smooth finish