Specific requirements or process that requires you to prime your artist canvas yourself? Fear not! This easy to follow guide will get you priming your own canvas/frame in no time. Follow the 6 easy steps to prime your canvas with gesso. To master your craft you must control all the steps.

Material Needed To Prime Your Canvas With Gesso

• Raw canvas
• White Acrylic Gesso 
• Wide/Broad soft-bristle primer brush
• Work space free and clear from dust and debris
• Fine grit sand paper

Priming Instructions

Step 1 – Begin with a clean unprimed canvas. Wipe down your surface with a light, damp cloth, or rubbing alcohol. Make sure your cloth is NOT soaking wet as it will take longer to dry.

Step 2 – Pour the gesso in a bowl or shallow container and dip in your wide brush. Make sure to close the bottle of white gesso to avoid drying it out.

Step 3 – Brush a thin layer of gesso with consistent patterns. You can brush all in horizontal or vertical motions on the canvas.

Step 4 – Allow 20 minutes to 1 hour for the gesso to dry. Touch the surface of the canvas, If the gesso has lift, it is not dry. Check again in 20 minute intervals and then prime your canvas with gesso again.

Step 5 – Sand down the thin layer of gesso. Do not apply a lot of pressure. The gesso clumps when sanded. This makes it easy to use and work with on your canvas.

Step 6 – For most artists, one layer of gesso may be enough. Prefer more of a textured surface? If so, repeat steps 2-4 as many times as you like.