Priming a Canvas for Oil Painting

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venetiancat.com
Specializing in the Techniques of the Old Italian
and Dutch Masters
Julia Passamonti-Colamartino Artista
Straordinaria
PRESENTS
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Priming a Canvas for Oil Painting

• Preparing a Lead Ground
• Pt I

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Materials (Pt 1)

• Wooden Canvas Stretchers
• Canvas (fine 100
• cotton duck)
• Rabbit Skin Glue
• (sizing)
• Liquid Nails for wood
• Fabric Scissors
• Spray bottle with water
• Staple Gun
• Canvas Stretching Pliers

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Step 1

• Assemble stretchers, adding a drop of Liquid
  Nails in the corners to secure frame.

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Step 2

• Cut canvas about 2 inches larger all around than
  the frame.

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Step 3

• Staple the canvas to the back of the frame using
  only one staple per side.

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Step 4

• Saturate canvas with water. The allows the fabric
  to shrink before the final stretching.
• Allow to dry.

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Step 5

• While the canvas is drying, prepare the rabbit
  skin glue.
• Soak granules at a ratio of 161.
• 1Tbsp 16 Tbsp of water is sufficient for a
  small canvas (9 x 12)
• 2 Tbsp 32 Tbsp of water for a medium sized
  canvas (14 x 18).
• SOAK OVERNIGHT so that the beads swell fully.

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Step 6

• Once dry, the canvas is
• stretched using canvas pliers.
• Staples are placed lengthwise along the
  perimeter, following the frame.
• Corners are neatly folded and stapled as is loose
  canvas on the back.

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Canvas is ready for glue size

• Notice staple placement.

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Purpose of Glue

• Rabbit skin glue size stiffens, seals and
  waterproofs the surface of the canvas so that the
  paint sits on top rather than soaking in.
• It smoothes the surface by filling in the fabric,
  and is impermeable to solvents in oil paint.

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The next day

• Glue granules have swollen and are ready to be
  heated in order to liquefy.

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Step 7
Bowl is placed in a pot with an inch of water and
heated.

• Glue MUST NOT be allowed to boil, so it is best
  to use double boiler method.
• (Notice the great pottery in the background )
  )

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Step 8

• Glue will have a honey-like consistency when
  ready.
• Brush onto canvas, being sure to saturate well.
  Be sure to include the sides and the folded-over
  part. It is not necessary to paint the back.
• Allow to dry overnight.

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Step 9

• A second coat of glue is applied the next day.
  This is heated only to a gel-like consistency
  (not like honey, as before) and forced into the
  weave with the palm of the hand.
• Glue dissolves with hot water for cleanup.
• Allow to dry overnight.

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Step 10

• Sand once dry using 150 grit extra fine
• sandpaper.

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Part II

• The Lead Ground
• Remember Lead is poisonous.
• Be sure to clean hands immediately upon contact
  and/or to wear gloves.
• Lead is most dangerous in a dry state. Be sure
  to wear a mask if sanding a painted surface.

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Materials Pt II

• Flake White Oil Paint, (formerly known as Lead
  White)
• Japan Drier
• Trowel-Shaped Palette Knife
• Disposable Palette

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Step 1B

• Add a few drops of Japan Dryer to Flake White.
  Japan Drier is important-it will take forever to
  dry without it.
• Using trowel palette knife, mix into the paint
  well until smooth.
• Apply to canvas.

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Step 2B

• Using trowel, spread a thin layer of paint/drier
  mixture on the canvas surface. Start from the
  middle and work toward the edges.
• Make final smoothing strokes parallel to each
  other.
• Allow to dry overnight.

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Step 3B

• A second coat is added once the first coat has
  dried for 24 hours.
• The second coat is applied from the center and
  smoothed in straight rows perpendicular to the
  first layer
• Allow to dry overnight.

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Finishing Up

• Sand in between coats if necessary, using extra
  fine 150 grit sandpaper and a mask. Lead paint
  is at its most dangerous in a powdered state!
• Allow canvas to dry for at least one week.
• Repeat the process 1 or 2 more times, with each
  successive coat perpendicular to the first, until
  the canvas surface is as smooth as desired.
• YOU ARE NOW READY TO BEGIN PAINTING!