Priming with gesso – what should I bear in mind?

To prepare your canvas properly, we recommend applying very thin layers of gesso. Thickly applied gesso dries more slowly, and while it dries the canvas fabric can shrink unevenly, which causes ripples. So gesso is applied in several thin layers. If the emulsion is too thick for you, you can thin it with a little water (maximum ratio 80:20) to make it flow better.

Steps:

1. Check the canvas tension: make sure the canvas is properly stretched on the frame before applying gesso.

2. Apply thin layers: apply the gesso in several thin layers rather than one thick layer. Apply the first layer horizontally from the centre outwards. Make sure you spread the gesso evenly over the entire canvas surface to avoid differences in tension.

3. Let each layer dry completely before applying the next. The drying time of Canvasi gesso primer is approximately one hour for a thin application of 0.13 mm. The actual time depends on the temperature and humidity.

4. Once dry, apply the second layer. This time, work vertically. Once the second layer of gesso has also dried, you can sand the primer if needed. Work in circular movements and use progressively finer sandpaper.

5. Adjusting the canvas tension afterwards can help to smooth out any ripples.

Find out more about gesso primer in our guide article.