{"title":"Canvas \u003e Priming \u0026 Sizing","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"pebeo-gesso","title":"Gesso","description":"\u003cp\u003eProper surface preparation determines whether your paint adheres beautifully or lifts and cracks after the first layer. Pebeo Gesso creates that foundation, transforming raw canvas, wood panels, or paper into receptive painting surfaces. The white acrylic formula seals porous materials while building subtle tooth that grabs and holds subsequent paint layers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eQuick drying time keeps your workflow moving, prime a surface in the morning, paint that afternoon. The satin matte finish provides enough texture for paint adhesion without creating distracting surface patterns that compete with your brushwork. Water cleanup means you can thin the gesso for smoother applications or use it straight from the container for more pronounced texture, then simply rinse your brush when finished.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis gesso works across oil, acrylic, and mixed media applications. Apply thin coats for delicate work on paper or build multiple layers on canvas for substantial texture. The white ground brightens colors applied over it, particularly important for transparent glazing techniques where the base shows through. Essential prep work that protects your substrate and ensures your finished painting lasts.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Pebeo","offers":[{"title":"250 ml \/ tube","offer_id":47973667569893,"sku":"90890","price":10.79,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}]},{"product_id":"krylon-gesso-spray","title":"Gesso Spray","description":"\u003cp\u003eMixing, stirring, multiple coats with drying time between each layer. Krylon eliminates that entire process with an aerosol formula that builds proper tooth in minutes rather than hours. Shake the can, apply even coverage, and you're ready to paint in thirty minutes. The spray format reaches into canvas weave more effectively than brush application, creating consistent surface texture without visible brush marks or the risk of overworking areas.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis acrylic-based primer bonds to an unusually wide range of substrates, canvas and illustration board certainly, but also glass, metal, plastic, and fabric. One can covers approximately twenty square feet, making it practical for preparing multiple smaller supports or coating larger panels. The formula resists chipping and maintains color stability over time without the yellowing that compromises older oil-based primers. Fifteen-minute dry time means you can prep surfaces in batches during studio sessions rather than dedicating separate days to ground preparation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor artists who value painting time over prep work, or anyone working on unconventional surfaces that traditional gesso struggles to grip, this spray format transforms surface preparation from tedious necessity into quick, reliable foundation work.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Krylon","offers":[{"title":"11 oz. can","offer_id":47973667602661,"sku":"15331","price":16.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0726\/6890\/5701\/files\/s15331.jpg?v=1769767319"},{"product_id":"liquitex-acrylic-clear-gesso","title":"Acrylic Clear Gesso","description":"\u003cp\u003eTransparent priming changes what's possible on colored and found surfaces. Liquitex Clear Gesso preserves the underlying color or texture of your support while creating the tooth needed for paint adhesion, essential when working on toned papers, stained wood, or unconventional materials where you want the substrate to remain visible. The acrylic polymer formula dries to a flexible, non-yellowing film that won't crack under repeated layering or handling.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHigh tooth makes this primer equally effective for dry and wet media. Use it to prepare surfaces for pastel, charcoal, or graphite work where you need grip without obscuring the ground color. It handles oil and acrylic paint with equal reliability, providing proper adhesion without the opacity of traditional white gesso. The clear finish lets you build color relationships from the support up rather than starting from white every time.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eApply it to canvas, paper, wood, or mixed media substrates. Available in sizes from 4 oz. for testing techniques to 1 gallon for studio production, giving you flexibility to match quantity to project scale without committing to more primer than you'll actually use.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Liquitex","offers":[{"title":"4 oz.","offer_id":47977534390501,"sku":"64577","price":10.21,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"8 oz.","offer_id":47977534357733,"sku":"37285","price":15.18,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"16 oz.","offer_id":47977534423269,"sku":"70279","price":24.84,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"128 oz.","offer_id":47977534456037,"sku":"74897","price":93.44,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0726\/6890\/5701\/files\/s37285.jpg?v=1761678762"},{"product_id":"liquitex-super-heavy-gesso","title":"Super Heavy Gesso","description":"\u003cp\u003eSculptural texture meets foundational primer in this thick-bodied gesso that transforms canvas preparation into dimensional surface design. Super Heavy Gesso maintains knife-applied peaks and ridges without slumping, letting you build substantial relief directly into your ground layer. The titanium white formulation provides excellent opacity and luminosity while preserving all the essential properties of traditional acrylic gesso, proper absorbency, flexibility, and archival stability.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eApply it with a palette knife to create bold impasto effects before your first paint layer even touches the surface. Drag it with wide brushes to establish directional texture that catches light and adds physical presence to your work. The heavy body consistency holds brushstrokes and tool marks precisely where you place them, drying to a permanent, non-yellowing surface that accepts oils, acrylics, and mixed media without hesitation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis approach works particularly well for abstract expressionism, heavily textured landscapes, and any painting where dimensional surface quality contributes to the final aesthetic. Build your texture into the foundation rather than adding it later, the gesso becomes an integral part of your composition from the start.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Liquitex","offers":[{"title":"8 oz.","offer_id":47978421551333,"sku":"29123","price":15.39,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"32 oz.","offer_id":47978421584101,"sku":"32141","price":36.81,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"128 oz.","offer_id":47978421616869,"sku":"33091","price":95.12,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0726\/6890\/5701\/files\/s29123.jpg?v=1770316773"},{"product_id":"golden-sandable-hard-gesso","title":"Sandable Hard Gesso","description":"\u003cp\u003eGolden engineered this gesso specifically for artists who need surfaces smoother than brushwork alone can achieve. The 100% acrylic dispersion polymer formula dries harder than standard gesso, creating a dense film that responds beautifully to progressive sanding. Work through grits to develop surfaces ranging from subtle tooth to glass-smooth, depending on your painting approach and desired texture.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis hardness makes the difference when preparing panels for detailed realism or creating flawless grounds for glazing techniques. Sand between coats to eliminate brush marks and build up perfectly even layers. The formula maintains flexibility despite its hardness, preventing cracking as surfaces expand and contract. It adheres tenaciously to properly prepared supports while providing excellent tooth for subsequent paint layers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eApply to canvas, panels, or paper when your work demands pristine surface quality. Hyperrealists appreciate how thorough sanding eliminates any texture that might interrupt fine detail. Glazing painters value the uniform surface that allows transparent layers to read clearly without interference from underlying texture. Multiple thin coats sanded smooth create professional-quality grounds that let your painting technique shine rather than fighting against surface irregularities.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Golden","offers":[{"title":"16 oz.","offer_id":47978446061797,"sku":"03640","price":26.03,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"32 oz.","offer_id":47978446094565,"sku":"03641","price":38.07,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"8 oz.","offer_id":47978446127333,"sku":"89919","price":15.46,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0726\/6890\/5701\/files\/s03640.jpg?v=1770335847"},{"product_id":"liquitex-acrylic-colored-gesso","title":"Acrylic Colored Gesso","description":"\u003cp\u003eColored grounds transform how your painting develops from the first stroke. Liquitex Acrylic Colored Gesso eliminates the stark white stare of raw canvas, letting you establish value relationships immediately and build color with greater efficiency. Available in black and gray, these hues provide carefully balanced middle values that support both light and dark passages without fighting your palette. Mix them together for custom mid-tones that match your specific vision.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePremium acrylic formulation delivers professional surface preparation in a single coat. The gesso flexes with canvas movement without cracking, maintaining integrity through stretching, environmental changes, and aggressive paint application. Non-yellowing polymers ensure your carefully chosen ground color stays true decades later, critical when working on toned surfaces where shifts would alter the entire piece. Suitable for both acrylic and oil painting, it creates proper tooth for paint adhesion while sealing raw surfaces against deterioration.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWorking on a colored ground changes your entire approach, you're painting toward light rather than just adding darks, and middle values emerge faster with less labor. Portrait painters value the gray for establishing form quickly, while black grounds bring dramatic intensity to high-contrast compositions.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Liquitex","offers":[{"title":"black \/ 8 oz.","offer_id":47978827383013,"sku":"20064","price":15.39,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"neutral gray value 5 \/ 8 oz.","offer_id":47978827415781,"sku":"84754","price":15.39,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0726\/6890\/5701\/files\/s20064.jpg?v=1761678764"},{"product_id":"grumbacher-acrylic-gesso","title":"Acrylic Gesso","description":"\u003cp\u003eProper surface preparation determines whether your painting lasts decades or deteriorates within years. Grumbacher Acrylic Gesso creates a permanent archival ground that protects both oil and acrylic paintings from substrate-related degradation. The formula bonds to an impressive range of surfaces, stretched canvas, wood panels, untempered pressed wood, cardboard, plaster, concrete, and masonry, providing consistent tooth and absorbency regardless of what you're working on.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWater-thinnable formulation lets you adjust consistency for different applications: full-strength for maximum coverage and texture, thinned for smoother surfaces or multiple translucent layers. This flexibility matters when you're working across different painting approaches or want to build custom surface characteristics. The gesso improves paint adhesion while creating a stable barrier between pigments and potentially acidic substrates.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCanvas stretchers preparing multiple surfaces appreciate gesso that handles diverse materials without requiring different primers. Studio painters working on reclaimed wood or experimental substrates rely on this ground's versatility when traditional sizing won't suffice.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Grumbacher","offers":[{"title":"32 oz.","offer_id":47978827841765,"sku":"15285","price":52.23,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"16 oz.","offer_id":47978827874533,"sku":"57024","price":31.89,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0726\/6890\/5701\/files\/s15285.jpg?v=1761678792"},{"product_id":"bob-ross-gesso","title":"Gesso","description":"\u003cp\u003eOils layer cleanly, acrylics adhere without beading, and even pencil and ink find proper grip.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eApplication differs from typical gesso. Use foam applicators or cloth rather than brushes to achieve the smooth, even coating that prevents unwanted texture from interfering with your painting technique. Thin with water to adjust consistency for your surface. Once dry, the primer becomes waterproof and stable, ready for whatever medium you're working with, from traditional Bob Ross landscapes to mixed media experiments.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach 16-ounce bottle covers substantial surface area, making it practical for preparing multiple canvases or large panels. The versatility means one primer handles your entire range of substrates and techniques, whether you're preparing stretched canvas for wet-on-wet oils or sealing cardboard for acrylic studies.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Bob Ross","offers":[{"title":"black","offer_id":47979082744037,"sku":"17266","price":15.19,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"gray","offer_id":47979082776805,"sku":"48853","price":15.19,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0726\/6890\/5701\/files\/s17266.jpg?v=1769767259"},{"product_id":"williamsburg-rabbit-skin-glue","title":"Rabbit Skin Glue","description":"\u003cp\u003eTraditional canvas preparation requires sizing that penetrates fibers without excessive stiffness; rabbit skin glue achieves this balance through centuries of proven performance. This crystallized powder dissolves in warm water to create a flexible sizing that seals canvas while maintaining its natural responsiveness under paint layers. The protein-based composition creates an effective barrier between raw fabric and oil grounds, preventing oil absorption that causes fiber deterioration over time.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWilliamsburg sources genuine rabbit skin glue and processes it into fine crystals that dissolve cleanly without lumps or residue. The resulting solution applies smoothly with brush or spatula, penetrating canvas weave to create uniform protection. Beyond sizing, this glue serves as a strong adhesive for fabric lamination, panel preparation, and traditional gilding techniques where reversibility matters.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePrepare the glue by blooming crystals in cold water, then gently heating until dissolved, never boiling, which destroys binding properties. Apply warm sizing in thin coats, allowing each layer to dry before adding grounds. Artists working with traditional techniques appreciate the archival properties and working characteristics that synthetic alternatives struggle to replicate. One container provides enough sizing for multiple large canvases when mixed at proper ratios.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Williamsburg","offers":[{"title":"16 oz.","offer_id":47979460133093,"sku":"37617","price":28.06,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0726\/6890\/5701\/files\/s37617.jpg?v=1770338150"},{"product_id":"gamblin-oil-painting-ground","title":"Oil Painting Ground","description":"\u003cp\u003eAlkyd resin changes how primers perform. This ground creates a non-absorbent surface that keeps oil paint workable longer, preventing that dull, sunken-in appearance you get when canvas drinks up your medium. The formulation, titanium dioxide and calcium carbonate suspended in alkyd, provides brilliant white luminosity that enhances color clarity from your first brushstroke.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTwo coats deliver full coverage and proper stiffness. Acrylic gesso typically requires four applications to achieve comparable opacity and surface preparation; Gamblin Ground reaches that point in half the layers, saving time during surface preparation. The result sits between acrylic's flexibility and traditional oil primer's rigidity, stiff enough to resist excessive fabric movement, flexible enough to roll or transport without cracking.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThat higher pigment concentration matters beyond coverage efficiency. You're building on a truly opaque white foundation rather than a translucent base that shows through in thin passages. The non-absorbent surface maintains consistent paint handling across your entire composition, from impasto passages to delicate glazes. Canvas and linen both accept this ground readily, providing the stable, archival foundation that oil painting requires.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Gamblin","offers":[{"title":"237 ml","offer_id":47980819480805,"sku":"84646","price":22.4,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"474 ml","offer_id":47980819513573,"sku":"89120","price":31.2,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0726\/6890\/5701\/files\/s84646_c6293370-6b64-4e37-a148-f3212d284147.jpg?v=1767284593"},{"product_id":"gamblin-pva-sizing","title":"PVA Sizing","description":"\u003cp\u003eIt swells with humidity, shrinks when dry, and creates mechanical stress that eventually damages canvas. Gamblin PVA Sizing eliminates these problems with a stable synthetic alternative that seals fabric without the dimensional changes that cause paint layers to crack over time.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis neutral pH formulation maintains flexibility permanently while creating an effective barrier between raw fabric and ground layers. Unlike traditional animal glues, PVA doesn't reabsorb atmospheric moisture or emit volatiles during application and curing. The polymer remains stable across temperature and humidity fluctuations that would cause rabbit skin glue to expand and contract. Dilute with distilled water to working consistency, the concentrate format lets you control dilution ratios for different absorbency levels across linen and cotton duck.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eApply directly to raw fabric before priming. The sizing penetrates fibers to create a sealed surface that protects against oil penetration while maintaining canvas flexibility. Brushes clean with soap and water. The 250ml bottle provides enough concentrate for multiple large canvases when properly diluted, making it practical for regular studio use rather than occasional sizing projects.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Gamblin","offers":[{"title":"250 ml","offer_id":47992143937765,"sku":"93039","price":14.4,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0726\/6890\/5701\/files\/s93039_67880fc5-117e-4d04-a98d-d9cfca309aff.jpg?v=1767284578"},{"product_id":"golden-acrylic-gesso","title":"Acrylic Gesso","description":"\u003cp\u003eGolden formulates this gesso to create genuine tooth, the kind of surface texture that grabs paint and holds it through aggressive brushwork or delicate glazing. Traditional acrylic primers seal surfaces smooth; this one builds a slightly textured ground that gives both oils and acrylics something to grip. The titanium white formula provides brilliant opacity that covers raw canvas, hardboard, or paper in two coats, establishing a bright foundation that makes subsequent colors pop.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eApply it straight from the container for pronounced texture, or thin it with water for smoother coverage. The flexible acrylic binder moves with canvas without cracking, even when you stretch primed fabric or roll finished pieces for transport. White gesso serves as the standard foundation for most painting approaches, while black gesso offers a dramatic alternative, dark grounds that let you work from shadow toward light or establish moody undertones beneath transparent layers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis primer works across absorbent surfaces: raw canvas, wood panels, paper, illustration board. It seals and protects while creating the receptive surface that serious painting requires. Golden's formulation maintains archival standards, ensuring your ground won't yellow or deteriorate beneath layers of carefully developed work.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Golden","offers":[{"title":"white \/ 32 oz.","offer_id":48001304002789,"sku":"11728","price":33.59,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"white \/ 8 oz.","offer_id":48001304035557,"sku":"23653","price":14.2,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"black \/ 16 oz.","offer_id":48001304068325,"sku":"27514","price":26.03,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"black \/ 32 oz.","offer_id":48001304101093,"sku":"40007","price":38.07,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"white \/ 16 oz.","offer_id":48001304133861,"sku":"84814","price":24.07,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"black \/ 8 oz.","offer_id":48001304166629,"sku":"88782","price":15.46,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0726\/6890\/5701\/files\/s11728.jpg?v=1768580633"},{"product_id":"liquitex-acrylic-gesso","title":"Acrylic Gesso","description":"\u003cp\u003eCanvas, wood panels, hardboard, even paper if you're working absorbent stock. The acrylic base creates a stable foundation that accepts oils, acrylics, gouache, and mixed media without the drama of improper adhesion or eventual cracking. It dries quickly, minutes rather than hours, so you can prime a surface and start painting the same session.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe brilliant white finish stays that way. No yellowing over time, no brittleness that comes with inferior primers. Mix it with acrylic colors when you need a toned ground for landscapes or portraiture; thin it with water when you want translucent layers or need to stretch your supply across larger surfaces. The texture provides enough tooth for paint to grip without fighting your brushwork.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAvailable in sizes from 4 oz jars for small projects up to gallon containers for production work or large canvases. You'll use more gesso than you expect once you start priming properly, so consider the larger sizes if you paint regularly. Proper surface preparation determines how your paint performs, and this gesso handles that fundamental task reliably.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Liquitex","offers":[{"title":"8 oz.","offer_id":48001304199397,"sku":"15183","price":15.18,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"16 oz.","offer_id":48001304232165,"sku":"24620","price":24.84,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"32 oz.","offer_id":48001304264933,"sku":"25055","price":36.46,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"64 oz.","offer_id":48001304297701,"sku":"41322","price":53.54,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"128 oz.","offer_id":48001304330469,"sku":"55998","price":93.44,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"4 oz.","offer_id":48001304363237,"sku":"73966","price":10.21,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0726\/6890\/5701\/files\/s15183.jpg?v=1768580654"},{"product_id":"bob-ross-base-coat-value-pack","title":"Base Coat Value Pack","description":"\u003cp\u003eLiquid White for traditional landscapes where sky meets mountain, Liquid Black for dramatic nocturnes and silhouettes, Liquid Clear when you need transparency without color shifts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe value pack delivers 4-ounce bottles of all three bases plus brush cleaner, letting you experiment with different approaches before committing to larger quantities. Apply a thin, even layer with a 2-inch brush, working it into the canvas weave until it becomes tacky. Paint then glides across this prepared surface, colors blend effortlessly at their edges, and you can manipulate wet paint for extended periods without it setting up prematurely.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStarting with proper base coat application eliminates the most common frustration beginners face, fighting the canvas instead of working with it. Sample all three formulas to understand how each affects color mixing and blending behavior, then stock up on whichever bases match your preferred subjects.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Bob Ross","offers":[{"title":"pack of 4","offer_id":48102348226789,"sku":"47304","price":35.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0726\/6890\/5701\/files\/s47304.jpg?v=1768590863"}],"url":"https:\/\/www.texasart.com\/collections\/canvas-priming-and-sizing.oembed","provider":"Texas Art Supply","version":"1.0","type":"link"}