PRIMING
- Oil paint eventually rots the canvas/linen. This is the main reason it needs to be primed, but you will also lose colour intensity over time if you don’t prime.
- The work of a primer is to protect the canvas, but also to absorb the first layer of paint – bonding it with the surface and forming a good base.
- Canvas can be primed with anything inert – simple house paint will do, although it cracks over time and can also colour with age. PVA glue, watered down, can be used in a pinch, but this yellows. Neither of these is sufficiently absorbent.
- Remember your first layer of primer needs to be worked into the canvas. Don’t apply too much pressure, but work the primer into the weave of the fabric – it needs to fill the gaps in the weave. The best priming brushes are wide with short bristles to help get the primer absorbed.
- It is always best to apply several thin coats – never one thick coat of primer.
- For a really smooth finish, sand the primer between applying several thin coats.
- Before finishing priming, hold the canvas up to the light – if you can still see pinholes of light then the primer is not properly protecting the fabric.
- Some pre-primed super fine linens are actually soaked in a primer to protect each thread – always ask your supplier about pre-primed fabric.