Preparing Your Canvas: For Acrylic Figure Painting

Preparing Your Canvas: How to Prime and Create a Solid Base for Figure Work

Card 3 of 52: Acrylic Figure Painting For Beginners Card Deck

This “Preparing Your Canvas” post covers Card 3 of 52 of the Acrylic Figure Painting for Beginners: A Card Deck Guide. Why choose my art card deck tutorial over a book or YouTube video? Because cards are way more fun—especially if you have Adult ADHD like me, and flipping through them keeps things exciting!

When it comes to figure painting, preparing your canvas is like setting the foundation for a house—you wouldn’t start painting a masterpiece on a shaky or unprimed surface, would you?

Properly preparing your canvas ensures that your acrylic paints glide smoothly, colors stay vibrant, and your artwork stands the test of time.

In this post, I’ll guide you through the process of priming your canvas, from choosing the right materials to creating the perfect base for your figure work.

4 Reaons Why Prepping Your Canvas Matters

Before we get into the nitty-gritty, let’s talk about why this step is so important.

Skipping canvas preparation might seem tempting if you’re eager to dive straight into painting, but trust me, taking a few extra minutes to prep will make all the difference.

4 reaons why priming your canvas is crucial:

1. Even Paint Application: A well-prepared canvas ensures your paint adheres evenly, preventing unwanted patches or areas where the paint soaks in too quickly.
2. Durability: Priming creates a protective barrier, preventing the canvas fibers from absorbing too much moisture and extending the longevity of your artwork.
3. Smooth Surface: Priming provides a smooth surface to work on, making it easier to create sharp lines, soft blends, and intricate details in your figure painting.
4. Colour Pop: A primed canvas allows your colors to stay true and bright, preventing them from being dulled by the raw, absorbent surface of the canvas.

Now, let’s dive into the steps for preparing your canvas for figure painting.

The 6 Steps For Preparing Your Canvas For Figure Painting

Step 1: Choosing the Right Canvas

The type of canvas you choose can impact the final look of your figure painting.

Here’s a quick rundown of common canvas types:

1. Stretched Canvas – This is the most popular type and is ready to use right out of the package. It’s stretched tightly over a wooden frame and offers a smooth, firm surface for painting.
2. Canvas Boards – These are canvas sheets mounted on sturdy cardboard, great for quick studies or smaller works.
3. Canvas Rolls – For larger or custom-sized paintings, you can buy canvas rolls and stretch them yourself over a frame.

If you’re just starting, I recommend using pre-stretched canvas or canvas boards to save time. Once you have your canvas, it’s time to move on to priming.

Step 2: Applying Gesso to Prime Your Canvas

Gesso is a primer that prepares your canvas for painting.

Without it, the raw canvas would absorb your paint, making it hard to blend colors and control your brushwork.

Gesso creates a smooth, even surface and acts as a barrier between the canvas fibers and your paint.

Materials You’ll Need:

• Gesso (white or tinted, depending on your preference)
• Wide, flat brush or foam roller
• Palette knife (optional, for smoothing)
• Sandpaper (optional)

How to Apply Gesso:

1. Lay Down a Protective Surface: Before you start, make sure to lay down some newspaper or a drop cloth to protect your work area from any gesso splatters.
2. Stir the Gesso: Gesso can sometimes separate in the jar, so give it a good stir before using. Don’t shake it—this can introduce air bubbles.
3. Apply the First Layer: Using a wide, flat brush or a foam roller, apply a thin, even layer of gesso to your canvas. Be sure to spread it out smoothly, working in long, even strokes. You don’t want any clumps or ridges.
4. Let It Dry: After applying the first coat, let it dry completely. Depending on the thickness of your layer, this can take anywhere from 30 minutes to a couple of hours.
5. Optional: Sand Between Layers: If you’re aiming for a super-smooth finish (great for fine detail work), lightly sand the surface with fine-grit sandpaper between each coat of gesso. Wipe away any dust before applying the next layer.
6. Apply Additional Coats: Apply 2–3 coats of gesso, allowing each layer to dry thoroughly. This will ensure your canvas is fully primed and ready for figure work.

Step 3: Tinting Your Gesso (Optional)

Most gesso comes in white, but you don’t have to stick with that! Many artists like to tint their gesso with acrylic paint to create a toned base layer.

This can help you establish the overall mood or color harmony of your painting from the get-go.

For figure painting, a neutral or muted tone (like light gray, beige, or soft blue) can work wonders as it prevents the glaring white of the canvas from influencing your perception of colors.

How to Tint Gesso:

1. Squeeze a small amount of acrylic paint into your gesso.
2. Mix thoroughly until you achieve the desired color.
3. Apply to your canvas just like regular gesso.

Tinting your gesso not only gives your painting a head start in terms of color but also helps reduce the intimidating brightness of a blank white canvas.

Step 4: Creating Texture on the Canvas

For figure painting, you might want a smooth surface, but sometimes a little texture can add character to your work.

If you’re feeling adventurous, try adding texture to your canvas before you start painting.

This can add depth to the background of your figures or enhance the overall feel of the piece.

Ways to Add Texture:

• Thick Gesso Application: Apply a thicker layer of gesso with a palette knife, creating peaks and ridges.
• Brush Strokes: Use a coarse brush to create visible strokes in the gesso, which will show through your paint layers.
• Textured Materials: You can even mix in sand, sawdust, or modeling paste to your gesso for a rough, gritty texture.

Keep in mind that while texture can be visually interesting, it can also make fine details more challenging, so consider the level of detail you’ll need for your figure painting.

Step 5: Let Your Canvas Cure

After you’ve applied your final coat of gesso and any desired texture, it’s important to let your canvas fully cure before you begin painting.

While gesso dries to the touch fairly quickly, it continues to harden over the course of several hours.

Ideally, let your canvas sit overnight before you start applying paint. This ensures that the primer has set properly and won’t lift or flake during your painting process.

Step 6: Testing the Surface

Once your canvas is fully dry, give it a quick test. Take a small amount of paint and apply it to the canvas to see how it behaves. Is the surface smooth? Does the paint glide easily without sinking in too quickly?

If everything feels right, congratulations—you’ve successfully prepped your canvas and are ready to dive into figure painting!

If the surface feels too absorbent or rough, you might want to add another thin coat of gesso or lightly sand the surface again.

4 Final Tips for Canvas Preparation

4 Final Tips For Canvas Preparation: 

1. Store Prepped Canvases: If you like to work on multiple paintings at once or just want to be ready when inspiration strikes, consider prepping several canvases in advance. This way, you’ll always have a ready-to-go canvas on hand.
2. Protect Your Workspace: Gesso can be messy, so don’t forget to protect your surroundings. Use old newspapers, tarps, or designated art mats to catch any splatters.
3. Mind the Edges: Don’t forget to apply gesso to the edges of your canvas if you plan on painting them. This keeps your piece looking finished from all angles.
4. Experiment with Surfaces: While canvas is the most common surface for acrylic painting, don’t be afraid to experiment with other surfaces like wood panels, paper, or even fabric. Just be sure to adjust your priming method accordingly.

George’s Conclusion: Your Canvas, Your Creative Playground

Preparing your canvas might seem like a tedious step, but it’s one of the most important parts of the painting process.

It’s the foundation that allows you to experiment with techniques, play with color, and bring your figures to life without fighting the surface.

By taking the time to properly prime and prepare your canvas, you’re setting yourself up for a smoother, more enjoyable painting experience—and giving your artwork the best possible chance to shine.

Now that your canvas is primed and ready, you’re all set for the fun part—painting! Grab your brushes, mix those colours, and let your creativity flow.

Happy painting!