How to prepare your canvas for painting (Step-by-Step Guide)

Preparing your canvas is one of the most important steps in making a successful painting, it makes your paint stick better, enhances color vibrancy, and gives you a stable surface to work on. In this post, we’ll walk through the essential steps after your canvas has been stretched (How to stretch a canvas properly).

 

 

Step 1 — Apply Gesso: The Essential Primer

Gesso is a special primer used by painters to prepare the surface before applying paint. It’s similar to primer used on walls, but formulated for art. It seals the canvas fibers and gives them just the right amount of “tooth” so paint grips well and doesn’t soak in unevenly. 

Why Use Gesso?

-Prevents paint from soaking into the canvas

-Creates a consistent surface so colors pop

-Helps paint last longer without cracking or fading

 

How to Apply Gesso

1 Stir your gesso thoroughly and, if needed, thin slightly with water (adding about 10–20% water makes it flow more easily).

2 Use a wide brush or a roller to spread a thin, even coat across the canvas, from edge to edge. Avoid thick globs.

3 Let it dry completely (this can take a couple of hours).

4 Lightly sand with fine sandpaper if you want a smoother texture, this helps remove brush strokes and bumps between layers.

Repeat this process 2–3 times for best results. Alternate the direction of your brush strokes with each coat (horizontal, then vertical) to build an even surface.

Tip: Some artists like a bit of texture for expressive painting. If that’s you, skip the sanding step between coats.

 

 

Step 2 — Apply an Under Color Wash

Once your canvas is properly primed with gesso and dried, you can add an under color layer, a thin wash of acrylic paint mixed with water or a medium.

This step is optional, but it helps:

-Unify the tone of your canvas

-Start blocking in values

-Create a mood for your painting

A popular choice is burnt sienna, because it gives a warm, neutral base that helps you judge lights and darks more accurately. Mix a bit of paint with water or a transparent acrylic medium to make a thin, even layer. Let it dry before moving on.

This layer isn’t meant to be detailed, it’s just a tonal map that helps you see your composition better once you start the real painting.

 

 

Step 3 — Bring in Shadows & Value Mapping

Before jumping into full color, many artists like to establish the key shadows and values with a darker neutral tone. In acrylic painting this is often done with a mix of darker earth tones or even black mixed with a tiny bit of color.

This step helps you:

-See where the darkest parts of your composition will be

-Create a better sense of depth

-Plan shapes before adding full color

Think of this as a quick sketch directly on your canvas, it doesn’t have to be perfect. It’s a practical way to visualize the structure of your painting before you commit to full layers of color.