2007-08-25 18:54:57 · 4 answers · asked by natalie k 1 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Visual Arts ➔ Painting
No, it isn't necessary, but I prefer to prime the canvas with it before I use the acrylics. I also use an extender to keep the acrylics from drying out as I paint as well as to let them flow better in the brush strokes.
2007-08-25 19:22:47 · answer #1 · answered by aisha 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, you don't have to. That's one of the nice things about acrylics. It can be nice to have a gesso surface to work on, but it's safe to put the acrylics directly onto the bare canvas.
Oils are acidic, and would eat the canvas (over many years) if there were no gesso to protect it. But acrylics aren't.
I love working on those unbleached canvasses (tannish color) with washes of acrylics so the natural color and canvas texture show through : - )
2007-08-26 02:04:56 · answer #2 · answered by jendini 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You don't have to use it but the benefits are plenty. Compare it to using brushes. You don't have to use brushes to paint. You could use twigs and fingers and have a great result.
Same goes for gesso. Not using it will make your painting probably a bit more gritty and the paint will need some work getting onto the canvas. Gesso is just a great 'tool' to make any surface much more paintable.
2007-08-26 02:22:13 · answer #3 · answered by Puppy Zwolle 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Check out:
http://www.aisling.net/journaling/gesso.htm
Interesting info.
2007-08-26 02:05:28 · answer #4 · answered by marti 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋