Q&A for How to Paint Acrylic on Canvas

Using gesso as a base layer for your painting will help you get the most saturated colors. If you don't prime the paper with gesso, then the color will absorb into the canvas.

It all depends on the brands you use. If you use cheaper acrylics, you may want to spray them with a sealant. If you use more high end supplies, it is still a good idea to fix your painting, but it can be put off a little longer since higher end supplies tend to be a bit more resistant and therefore will last longer in terms of scratching off and stuff like that.

Acrylic paints dry out very quickly. The spray bottle is an easy way to keep them wet. Sitting on a palette, they can develop a "skin" on top, and giving them a light spray periodically prevents that skin from forming. It can also be used to keep your canvas damp if you are using the "wet on wet" method. If you are painting a large area with one color, spraying the canvas first can keep it from drying out in spots before you are finished blending.

Try dry-brushing over the top of the existing paint. This advanced technique is mentioned at the beginning of Part 3 of this article. Using a dry round brush, dip it in some titanium white and dab off the excess. With a very light touch, scrub a fine layer of white over the object you wish to look cloudy. You may need to go over it a couple of times, especially if you are trying to blur the edges.

You really want to prime canvas with gesso to prevent the paint from soaking into the canvas and streaking. Most store-bought canvases have actually already been primed with gesso, so you may be ready to go. But if your canvas hasn't been primed, or you aren't sure, you can easily to it yourself. Start by lightly sanding the canvas with fine 200-grit sandpaper to smooth out the top threads, and then brush off the dust with a soft cloth. Then take a large paint brush and apply the gesso to the canvas using broad strokes in a single direction. Let the canvas fully dry for an hour before you paint it.

If you bought your canvas from an art supply store, check the packaging. It may already be primed and ready to go. If it isn't primed, or you're not sure, you can prepare it yourself so your acrylic paint doesn't soak into the canvas ruin your painting. Take some 200-grit sandpaper and lightly sand the entire surface of the canvas to smooth out the top threads. Then, brush off the dust with a soft cloth. Use a large paintbrush to paint a layer of gesso on the canvas. Use broad strokes in a single direction so it goes on evenly and consistently. Let it dry for a full hour. If the gesso goes off the edges, use a smaller brush to pull it back on the canvas. Once it's dry, your canvas is ready for your acrylic paint!

Ideally, you'd want to use a cotton canvas that's been primed with gesso. Gesso is a primer for canvas used for acrylics. Many store-bought canvases are primed already, but if you want a smoother effect, you can apply more yourself. You can also prime your canvas if you aren't sure whether it's been primed or not. Take some fine 200-grit sandpaper and lightly sand the surface of the canvas. Wipe off the dust with a soft cloth and then use a large paint brush to apply the gesso to the canvas. Use broad strokes in a single direction. If the gesso goes off the edges, use a smaller brush to pull it back on the canvas. Wait about an hour for the gesso to fully dry. If you want to add another layer of gesso, lightly sand down the canvas with a fine sandpaper, then wipe off any dust. Paint another layer in the opposite direction and wait an hour to let it dry before you paint on it.

It's not a must, but painting the sides will help the painting look neater, and more finished. If you enter art in competitions, the judges often look at the sides. Simply painting them the color(s) of your background can greatly improve your overall painting.