Is Your Canvas Primed and Ready to Be Painted?
Before you start a new painting on raw, stretched canvas, you need to make sure you are good to go. Store-bought stretched canvases already have gesso, so there’s no need to apply more unless you want to modify the texture. However, if you’re using canvas that has not been primed before, you are better off applying gesso first.
Why can’t I paint on raw fabric?
Whether you’ll be painting with oil or acrylic paint, priming gives the canvas a much smoother texture that’s less absorbent and easier to work on that lets your brush move easily across the surface.
