Is it necessary to size a store bought canvas before priming and painting with oils?

Question

I am brand-new to oil painting and would greatly appreciate help! The canvas is cotton and came with my kit; I'm assuming it's prestretched. Do I still need to size with rabbit-skin glue or acrylic gesso before priming and painting with oils? I should probably mention the oils are a new kind of paint that is actually water soluble! Also, if anyone knows of an animal-friendly alternative to rabbit-skin glue, that would be amazing. : )

Answer 1

Don't worry about rabbits. You'd have a hard time finding some real rabbit glue. And is is only neede if you are a proffesional finepainting artist who would want his/her painting to last for aeons.

Gesso it a all-round primer that's 100% chemical from a real life factory. No rabbit came near that. It is the only thing I ever use to prime any surface. In other words, I never size, just ground.

Assume it to be prestreched and gesso-ed. If it is hard and white you are correct. Just start painting. If it is not tight enough you can use the wedges(should be ther on the backside) to tighten it a little more. Tap gently 2 wedges in all 4 corners untill it is tight like a drum. The gentle taps are to prevent the frame going crooked, not to prevent the canvas from tearing. That will not happen.

If your canvas is NOT primed. Get some gesso and put it on there....almost as easy as that. A few tips towards a good result:
1) Use a tough brush, a cheap one as gesso is a real brush killer.
2) It also does not come out of any fabric once it has dried so clean immedeately if you spill.
3) It dries pretty fast so to get a smooth result you should 'dampen' your canvas. I use hot water so the canvas stretches even more. Give it a shower, really.
4) Really work it in the canvas with your brush. Don't be afraid to 'hurt' your canvas you will not.
5) Check the back for drips. You don't want any hard pieces on the back. they will show as bumps on the front. Remove with a sponge and warm water.
6) Apply a second layer after the first is dry. Depending on your style you may want to sand the gesso to get a very smooth layer.
7) To clean your brush use soap (Available in your artstore) It seems a bit excessive to buy special soap but replacing brushes is more expensive.

Answer 2

Your canvas is white, which means it was gessoed by the factory. So you don't do anything else but paint on it.
I usually lightly sand my canvases for a smoother surface as this keeps my brushes (which are expensive) from wearing out so quickly. You don't need rabbit skin glue, as the commercial gessos work just fine.
Check out www.newcenturytv.com, click on artist and look at some of the great oil painting tutorials. I think most of your questions could be answered and you can watch them on your computer.
Water soluble oils have been around for awhile. Your canvas could be painted with acrylic or oils as both will be fine.

Answer 3

if you bought it in a store and it's got wooden stretcher bars already stapled to it and it's white it's primed. You can always add more gesso if you'd like but it's not necessary.

and to answer teh other person's answer....

Yes, canvas should be primed if you're painting in oils (either gesso or some other primer...rabbit glue is totally unnecessary these days)...otherwise it'll just seep through the canvas and you'll have to do layer after layer and the finish won't be as nice. It'll also compromise the fabric (canvas).

I'm not sure about your water-soluble oils but to be on the safe side I'd do it.

Answer 4

Simple answer: If you bought the canvas from a shop or dealer and it is already stretched on a wooden frame, it will probably already be primed. Check the packaging, it will say primed, stretched canvas. If that is the case you do not HAVE to prime. If you have stretched raw canvas onto a frame yourself, then yes, it must be primed. To prime for oils or acrylics, Gesso is best but most expensive, emulsion paint is fine as is emulsion paint mixed with PVA glue (70/30 mix). Use 2 or 3 coats.

Answer 5

No, it is not necessary to size it with rappit-skin glue or acrylic. Oils don't need anything underneath for canvas. But you could try it once,the result would be different. I know another glue,it's called atlacol i think. It's white and when it dries it becomes transparent.Hope I helped and I'm happy you are occupied with painting.Have a nice creative day my friend.

Answer 6

It's not necessary but if you want the painting to last longer then yes. I'm sure there are other benefits also, but this new oil that you are using may make it unnecessary. Check out the site below for more info. if you haven't already.

Answer 7

i never use gesso or rabbit skin super furry glue or anything like that.

i always just use matt (flat) white interior house paint/undercoat and it works perfectly, and it's very inexpensive.