Grade 10 Art - Day 32 Canvas or MDF Board Prep

I posted a video on youtube for yesterday's stretching the canvas activity. Now, there are a few tricks and tips I can pass on to you to help you in preparing your canvas.

• When you receive your canvas, you will want to prime the canvas.  We use a product called gesso to do this.  
• You will rub the gesso into your canvas using your fingers.  This process can be repeated once or twice more until the desired smoothness or texture is achieved.  You may also do this process with a brush.  A 2" standard brush works wel,l and I recommend applying your second coat in the opposite direction of the first.
• After the gesso has dried, you may gently sand the canvas with a low-grit sandpaper if necessary.
• If you find that your canvas has stretched a little, or misshapen during this process, you may spray the reverse with water and allow to dry.  This tends to tighten it up a little for you.

If you are doing your painting project on MDF board, here are a few tips to help you prepare:

• use 100 grit sand paper to gently smooth off the surface, bevel the edges, and round the corners
• wipe the board clean with a dry cloth 
• apply three coats of gesso with a brush
• allow to dry until tomorrow's class