As a result, acrylic paint cannot be substituted for gesso. If the surface needs to be primed, gesso is a better option than acrylic paint. Acrylic paint can be used as a base coat, but it does not have the same properties as gesso. Gesso can be sanded down to make it easier to apply, as well as creating a very fine texture for the paint application.
Gesso is used to prepare (or prime) the surface for painting by making it slightly textured and ready to accept acrylic paint. The paint would soak into the weave of the canvas if there was no gesso. The great thing about gesso is that it can be applied to almost any surface and then painted on with acrylic paint
Most, if not all, of the canvases available at your local art store are already primed for acrylic painting. If the canvas is bright white, it should be ready to go.
Acrylic mediums, clear gesso, and rabbit skin glue are all effective canvas primers. You don’t need to prime the canvas before painting with acrylic paints. However, if you are using oil paints, you must first prime the canvas to protect it from linseed oil. Here’s how you prime a canvas
People may get liquid white mixed up with white gesso. There is no resemblance between them. Painting with liquid white is only possible when wet-on-wet. Gesso is used to add texture to the painting in order to prevent the paint from absorbing into the cloth canvas.
Learning how to prime your canvas correctly is a simple but important skill for artists who work with oil or acrylic paints. Priming seals and protects the support, reduces the absorbency of the canvas, helps the colors stand out, and can provide a smoother surface with enough tooth for the paint to bind to.
Acrylic Color Priming
When using acrylic paint, priming a canvas is also recommended because it provides a solid foundation for your work. When priming, keep the following in mind:
1. Tooth: Tooth describes how a surface feels to the touch; the more tooth a surface has, the rougher it feels to touch. The primed surface must provide the required grip for the color.
2. Absorbency: Priming the canvas reduces its absorbency and aids in the adhesion of the paint film to the primed surface.
3. Color: It is critical to consider the relationship between the color of your primed surface and the colors you use in your work. Oils become more transparent over time, and an opaque white primed surface will reflect back the light.
4. Rigidity: Rigidity is increased by the use of primers. This complements the paint film’s nature and ensures long-term stability.
5. Coverage: It must be sufficient for the purpose. In most cases, one or two coats of a high-quality primer should do the job.