Can I paint again on stretched canvas that carries an oil based pallet knife painting? I have used gesso to cover old paintings but am told that this will crack. Is there any other product that will accept a new oil pallet knife painting (it needs to have tooth)? Can the canvas be removed, turned over and restretched? (Most of my canvases are linen)

Hi Jen! There seems to be a couple of things here that may need clarifying; Canvasses may, of course, be used over again, and I often do this myself, but a possible problem here may be that you wish to make a new painting using pallet knives.
How prominent is the present pallet knife painting? Can you apply enough paint to cover any existing marks?
Its theoretically possible to turn the canvas over, but you may end up with cracks this way along the stressed edges, but this may also depend upon the age and quality of the canvas.
As far as coating the canvas with Gesso, I would'nt recommend this personally, as you would be applying a water based product over a (varnished?) oil painting and I agree that a Gesso coating may crack.
You could try an oil based primer, using a couple of coats,sanding down in between to give some tooth.
It may be cheaper and more advisable to to use either a new or alternative canvas.
If this isn't the answer you want, then come back to me and we'll do our best to get what you are looking for.

Good lack and very best wishes,

Steve Williams
PA & RSC Wigan / Warrington / St Helens

Thanks for your helpful reply. I am only wanting to reuse relatively flat paintings, although can cope with lumps and bumps (exciting) and often use a lot of paint so can always cover existing marks. The canvases are mostly professional quality linen Windsor and Newton and only a few months old. I suppose that a turned over canvas can be stretched onto a smaller stretcher frame so that the stressed edges are not reused? Can you give me an example of a suitable oil based primer? e.g. that for gloss paint, and would I need to add linseed oil to any over painting? Presumably an over painting would not last as long as a one off? Jen

Hi Jen! Last point first; I don't think you will reduce the life of an overpainting by re-using your canvas, especially as you seem to have good material.
I presume the canvas you want to use has been varnished, so you need to ensure that it is well cured and not greasy or sticky in any way (I apologise about grandmothers and eggs!).
Next, I would use a fine sandpaper and carefully rub down the surface taking care not to rub through to the canvas surface, then allow it to settle for half a day.
Most primers for sale these days tend to be "greener" and therefore waterbased, but see if you can find an oil based universal primer - even a good quality undercoat may do the job - and give your canvas 2 or 3 coats, rubbing down between coats, and also carefully rubbing down the last coat, to give your surface some tooth, then give that a go.
Good luck, and very best wishes,

Steve Williams
PA & RSC Wigan / Warrington / St Helens