I'm pretty new to art and a bit bewildered! When the canvas is unprimed, what should I use to get it ready for acrylics please? Many thanks. Kate
Most artist canvases are already prepared ready for use. They will be either triple or double primed meaning that they can be painted on with oils or acrylic straight away without preparation.
These are usually the white canvases you see in boards, stretched or chunky formats.
If you do have a raw un prepared canvas, then you will need to prime the surface to making it suitable for the paint to adhere to.
There are a number of ways to primer a raw canvas:
You can use an Acrylic Gesso (primer). Paint at least two layers allowing each layer to dry thoroughly before adding the next layer.
It is often recommended that you use a size to prepare the raw canvas before applying the Gesso. Sizing will add another barrier between the paint and the canvas and stiffen the material, this will be necessary when painting in oils to help prevent the oil in oil paint or oil mediums leaching through to the canvas and over time rotting away the fibres.
Is this canvas unprimed which is what I need
The Loxley canvas board are made from Loxley canvas which is laminated onto strong stable pulpboard. It is sized and then double primed.
Hope this information helps
