Multiple layers of gesso? Why?

[Blue]

Just finished putting a layer of black primer on a (very) large canvas (4ft x 6ft). The website I was reading said I would get a more "professional" look by using a second layer of gesso...

What could possibly improve by thickening gesso up?

[Chris Bennett]

Much as I dislike terms like 'professional look' I would imagine that what they mean is that by putting two or more layers down you bury the tooth of less expensive canvas, thereby disguising its mechnical weave a little more. Student works are normally carried out on cotton duck instead of pure linen in order to keep the cost down, and this has a very regular weave which has thereby become associated with student or inexperienced work. If this is buried somewhat by the gesso brush marks then it will take on the effect resembling the varied weave of pure linen.
Two coats are better than one because it seals the cloth from attack by the linseed oil of the paint.

[skvv]

some of the artists who love the fine fine details will put multiple layers of gesso on a canvas to get a smooth surface.

why not just use premade gesso'ed artboard you might ask? they like the bounce of the canvas when painting.

sand between gesso's with a fine grit, it's usually go to gesso more than one at a time if you know that's how you like to work, because obviously you have to wait for each coat to dry (about 30 min under a fan, don't rush it or you'll gunk up your sandpaper quick).

an illustrator I learned from does a lot of portraits for the state capitol here in Oklahoma (Mike Wimmer) and not only does he paint on egyptian cotton, he puts on 5 thin layers of gesso and sands w/ 200+ sandpaper eventually.

[Elwell]

If you gesso without any sizing on raw canvas, especially if the gesso has been thinned down at all, it will raise and harden the fibers, leaving a rough surface that can be unpleasant to paint on and hard on your brushes. A light sanding and second coat will take care of that, as well as assuring that the canvas is truly isolated from the oil layer.

[Blue]

Huh, i never knew it could make such a difference! I've used canvas board and pre-made stretched canvas for a few years and never really gave it too much thought. This is the 1st time I'm going about the whole thing (basically) from scratch since I'm working so big.

I guess i'll be sanding a little and putting down a second layer this morning then. :)

[dbclemons]

...Two coats are better than one because it seals the cloth from attack by the linseed oil of the paint.

2 coats of acrylic primer wouldn't be enough for oils unless the canvas has been sized first (hide glue or an acrylic size.) To avoid sizing you'll need about 4 coats of primer at least, and some brands of primer are thinner than others. Of course, when using acrylic paint that's not an issue.

[hitnrun]

2 coats of acrylic primer wouldn't be enough for oils unless the canvas has been sized first (hide glue or an acrylic size.) To avoid sizing you'll need about 4 coats of primer at least, and some brands of primer are thinner than others. Of course, when using acrylic paint that's not an issue.

Yea one of my old art teachers said he uses at least 4 or 5 coats of gesso. I always understood the main reason for that as being that it hides the tooth of the canvas and allows you to work on a smooth surface.

[kingshaj]

i once tried 10 layers of sanded gesso ...just as an experiment.

i had sanded it 'till it was as smooth like glass. it was great a lot like painting on massonite but white.


although id be terrified to re-stretch it ... it may crack badly


-

[gman343]

Multiple layers of gesso is important for multiple reasons as already listed here. But what I think was kind of ignored is: a single coat of gesso is not enough to prime most canvases (even pre-primed stuff). A thin coat of gesso will result in the underlying surface of canvas eventually sucking up the oil component of your paint. The oil in oil paint is the main reason oil paintings have that deep look that they do. It completely alters how light enters and exits the painting, thus changing its appearance.

A thin layer of gesso will result in a matte painting with blande darks and generally grayed color. The oil will be absorbed by the canvas and wil not sit on top of the painting. It will look more like an acrylic painting. A properly primed painting will have a layer of oil to it that gives a sense of much richer color and darks. Light hitting the painting has to now enter through that layer of oil and is reflected back through the same layer of oil, greatly enhancing the painting.

Another reason this is important is that the oil in the paint is the binder of the painting. Your oil painting is one cohesive "film" of oil and pigment on top of canvas and it is held together by the oil. This is what makes oil paintings last hundreds of years. If you don't prime canvas properly then your painting's life is reduced considerably and the painting itself is more brittle as it will essentially be dry pigment sitting on top of canvas. Think of a pastel drawing, although that is an exaggeration but a similar effect.

[chaosrocks]

gesso is an absorbant surface.. a little
i use 3 coats on paper.. brushed on in different directions
but thats for studies
and Im afraid im too lazy to prime real canvas
yeah
crx