The Trouble with Oil – Preparing a Canvas for Oil Painting

Oil paint can be an amazing substance to work with, from creating quick sketches outside to photo-realistic portraits. Because oil paints take a long time to dry, they give you the flexibility to tweak, alter, soften and blend, resulting in lovely muted, smokey subtle paintings.

If you decide that you’d like to give oils a go, then my recommendation would be to start with a pre-sized, pre-primed ready-made canvas to paint on.

Why?

The “oil”  in the paint can create a few issues over time you should be aware of.

We’ve all heard of “fat over lean” and paintings cracking but don’t be scared…

It’s really very simple, below gives you a quick overview of the best preparation needed for a canvas when working with oils.

Oil can make your painting brittle

Over time as oil oxidizes, it can make the canvas fibres brittle and more delicate. If you apply a coat of “size” to a raw canvas, it acts as a seal between the oil in the paint and the canvas.

oil painting preperation layers So what are the options?

Ready-Made Canvas from the Art Store

Just to clarify, a pre-sized and pre-primed ready-made canvas means you’re good to go; you don’t need to do any more to the surface; you can just get painting.

However, you can now buy various stages of preparation for a ready-made canvas:

1. A canvas that has been pre-sized but not primed – With this, you can either paint straight on top of it, or my recommendation would be to apply a couple of coats of gesso to give a better painting surface. This option is probably for the more experienced painter as it allows you to bespoke your primer (Gesso) application.

2. A canvas that has been pre-sized and pre-primed with an Oil paint primer, also known as a traditional Oil Gesso – This is how a traditional canvas would have been prepared, and the Oil primer allows an oil ground and oil paint on top of it. You cannot apply acrylic ground to this surface.

3. A canvas that has been pre-sized and pre-primed with an Acrylic paint primer, also known as an Acrylic Gesso – This is a modern alternative and allows you to paint an acrylic coloured ground and a thin acrylic under-painting before moving onto an oil paint layer. Why would you want to do this? Speed and convenience as acrylics dry so much faster, some painters like blocking the bones of the painting with acrylics first.

N.B. You can paint thin applications of acrylics under oil, but you cannot paint acrylics on top of oil paint.

Raw Canvas bought in a Roll (normally then stretched onto stretcher bars to create a taut painting surface)

You can, of course, buy a raw canvas and prepare it yourself. This is more cost-effective but time-consuming.

The Size Layer

  • PVA Glue – As a student with no money, I used to use PVA craft glue for tester pieces. It is cheap, forms a barrier and is great to practice with kids. Cheaper PVA is not the ideal choice as it can become very brittle and unstable over time, but you can now get PVA that has been specifically designed for artists.
  • Acrylic Size – To replicate the traditional Rabbit Skin Glue, you can use a combination of an acrylic polymer called GAC400 and GAC 100. GAC400 must be applied to raw canvas and will stiffen the fibres first, before then applying GAC100, which is a Multi-Purpose Acrylic Polymer sealer. Applying two coats of GAC 100 before the primer/Gesso layer will reduce linseed oil penetrating into the canvas fibres.
  • Rabbit Skin Glue – Yes, you read that correctly; it’s one of the most traditional ways of sizing a canvas and is made by mixing dry glue with water and gently mixing together. It’s one of the worst smells I’ve ever experienced. It’s a laborious and smelly process as you have to apply when warm, but for creating a drum-tight canvas, it’s great.
    However, it is hygroscopic, meaning it will always be water-soluble and can absorb water over time. High humidity will re-introduce water into the rabbit skin glue, causing it to soften or swell up if the painting is in an environment with changing humidity. This constant swelling and drying of the film can become brittle and cause cracking of the final paint layer.

Pro Tip: Cotton canvas does not absorb the size as well as linen and will need a stiffer brush and more working into the surface.

The Primer Layer

  • Oil Gesso – This is a traditional primer and allows an oil ground and oil paint on top of it. You cannot apply acrylic ground to this surface.
  • Acrylic Gesso – This is a modern alternative primer and allows you to paint an acrylic ground and a thin acrylic under-painting before moving onto an oil paint layer.

You can read more about how to apply an Acrylic Gesso here

To begin painting with oils, black and white is often a good place to start; here is part 1 in a 5 part series of my approach to painting a classical oil portrait in black & white

You might also like:
1. 8 tips to help you make a killer Bespoke Canvas
2. Getting Started: How a prepared Canvas can drastically improve your painting – An Old Master technique to rapidly improve your paintings

 

 

This Post Has 140 Comments

  1. Alison Stafford

    Hi Will,
    Can you email me the list of definitive palettes that you were talking about in our lesson the other day.
    You gave me the two palettes for portrait painting….are there any others? Off to buy some paint
    :)
    Ali

    1. Will Kemp

      The basic palette was: yellow ochre, light red, english red, raw umber and ivory black. It is based on the primary colours just with everything a bit muted. A more extended palette would include burnt umber, red umber & green umber, possibly Persian red. But as with most things in painting less is often more. Nineteenth-century painter Thomas Couture only used Naples yellow, vermillion, flake white and black.

      1. Bronwen

        Will, In my world (english trained) light red and english red are the same colour. Could your english red be my indian red?

        1. Will Kemp

          Hi Bronwen,
          It can be confusing with the paint names, and some brands do cross over but the above colours are from Old Holland paints and their light red, english red and indian red are all different colours.
          What brand are you using? Sometimes English red can be the same as Venetian red, but wouldn’t be same as Light red or Indian red.
          Basically you need one warm red, say light red or English red as these colours are very similar and have a warm undertone.
          And one cool red say, Indian red as this has a purple bias when mixed with white. Hope this helps.
          Will

    2. Jennifer

      Hi Will,
      I have painted (Winton oil colours) straight onto a canvas.
      I should have applied gesso first, I know now. Is there anything I could do to “prolong the life” of my painting? I thought of varnishing both sides of the canvas. Any (other) suggestions?
      Thanks:-)

      1. Will Kemp

        Hi Jennifer, if you don’t use as much oil medium on the rest of the painting it will keep the levels to a minimum on the canvas surface.
        Cheers,
        Will

  2. dee

    Is it possible to finish an acrylic portrait with a layer of oil paint? i think it should be as I often put a layer of acrylic under an oil painting for a different colour base. Wouldn’t it be the same principle?

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Dee,
      Yes, you can block in a portrait (or landscape) with acrylics and work with oils on top for a finish. This can be especially useful if you are working on a black background because black oil paint is a slow dryer so having a base with the acrylic would work well. Just be aware not to have the acrylic too thick or the oil won’t have anything to “grab” to. Ideally the acrylic would have been diluted with water so there isn’t as much of a plastic film.

      Will

      1. Claire Metson

        Hi Will
        having just found your site and reading these comments, I wonder if it is because I painted too thick layers of acrylic on base and then oil over, i Have found some paintings are peeling?

        1. Will Kemp

          Hi Claire, if you paint oils over the top of acrylic, the acrylics need to be thinned with water and quite a thin application. That way the oil laters can grab onto to the surface below.
          Will

  3. martin

    Flippet. Im 45 and decided tonight that I want to start painting. Im very creative and can do anything when someone asks me to make something of wood and combining it with paint and still decorate it with stone or whatever.

  4. Martin

    I am constantly considering changing ‘up’ to oil from acrylic. Using the same ‘skills’ I employ, do you believe my paintings, of which I am reasonably/very happy with, will show an improvement? I read that blending is so much more responsive with oil and I do like the transition of colour/tone I see with oil but not sure if I have to learn new technics all over again if I want to change.
    Martin

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Martin,

      Thanks for the comment, depending on the way you currently paint the change to oils can be subtle or huge! The process that I teach with acrylics is designed so that when you try oils the same painting principles apply and the change will be minimal. The ability to acheive subtle blends will be very easy with oils, however, if you are used to working very thickly you will notice a massive difference in drying times.

      It all depends what your end aim is. What style of painting do you currently do?

      Will

  5. Tia

    Hallo Will,
    I’ve decided to take the plunge into painting! Your site is certainly very helpful as I decide which medium is best; however, I have a question. What do you think about water soluble oil paint? I like the idea of oil paints, but I would like to stay away from the use of solvents. Have you tried this type of paint before? If so, what do you think of it?

    Thank you! :-)

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Tia,

      Glad the website has been helpful.

      I personally have always used traditional oil paints so I can’t give a full rounded view of water soluble oils. I have tried them and the biggest bonus is for painters who have allergies to solvents etc.. They feel similar to standard oils however haven’t got the pigment strength of artist quality oils. Holbein’s Duo Aqua Oils are really nice and get good reviews, they are definitely worth a try to see how you get on with them.

      Hope this helps,

      Will

      1. Molly Mc.

        What a great site!
        Tia brings up a point that has kept me in acrylics and held me back from oils for a long time…the issue of solvents. I enjoy figure and portrait drawing and have finally decided to try painting, but blending like I would need to with acrylics is useless. Have you or your colleagues tried any of the new non-toxic brush cleaners like Flush Brush? I’m wondering if this could be the tipping point into oils for me. Thanks. I enjoy the palette tips as well!

        1. Will Kemp

          Hi Molly, I’m working on an article on ‘How to paint a non-toxic oil painting’ that will go into more details on the variety of options available, should be on the site soon,

          Cheers,
          Will

  6. Laquita

    I’m a self taught amateur artist, have been for years. Recently I painted a 3’x4′ portrait with a background of cobalt blue and ivory black. (I rarely use black.) I was horrified when it dried to find what your glossary termed “sinking in”. In various different light, it seemed to appear very dull in areas, and very glossy in others. Not knowing why, I tried to correct it, but nothing I did worked. I’m hoping you can give me a workable solution, and at the same time perhaps it will help others as well. Thanks! Your website is a God-send!

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Laquita, sinking in can cause the exact symptoms you’re describing. The remedy is to ‘oil out’ there is a description of the process on the glossary, albeit brief. You can watch a video demo of the process here you’ll have your painting glossy as new in no time!

      Cheers,
      Will

  7. Laquita

    Hi Will…Your advise is much appreciated. I’m looking forward to my first experience with “oiling out”! Hopefully now I’ll be able to sell this piece. It’s on display as an NFS, and has garnered interest, but I wasn’t willing to risk selling it for the sake of my reputation in it’s present condition. I’ll let you know how it all turns out…you’ll probably remember who I am when you see my name! :-) The link you shared w/me gave me an even more wealth of information. Thanks again so much! Cheerio, Laquita

  8. Laquita

    Hello again Will…I meant to ask you another question concerning glazing. Could you give me a basic list of transparent colors I might need for glazing, or point me to another link? I believe I heard someone say there’s an indicator on the paint tubes, but many of mine are old and unreadable.

    Also, my question led me to do an inventory of the colors I do have. Years ago when I was first beginning, I bought a tube of Veridian Emeraude. I can’t figure out for the life of me, why?!! (besides not knowing any better!) Other than using it for practicing monochromatic and mixing exercises, what might I use it for? Would mixing it with a bit of Mars Black make it suitable for painting fir trees? I’m currently working on a 36″x36″ back yard/wooded scene. Any suggestions? Thanks again, Laquita

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Laquita, on most artist quality paint tubes there is an actual swatch of paint, this is often painted over a series of black lines so you can judge the transparency. Mixing in the colour with black is a good choice for creating some lovely muted greens.

      Cheers,
      Will

  9. John Cunningham

    Hi Will.
    I hit a bad patch with my portraits turning chalky, I use a limited palette of Ivory Black, Yellow Ocher, Vermillion, Cobalt Blue, and Titanium White.
    What do you think went wrong?

    John

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi John,

      Are some areas chalky and others glossy?

  10. Juanie

    Hi Will,

    I’ve been painting with oils for a couple of years now, and recently discovered that the canvasses that I used to love working on (which I bought from a private “canvas maker”) started cracking after a couple of years. Now I’ve resorted to buying artshop canvasses, but find that they seem to “dry out” the oils and blending becomes quite challenging (even Winsor & Newton canvasses). Am I supposed to size and prime these already prepared canvasses? Or do I perhaps just cover it with a layer of gesso?

    Thanks so much,
    Juanie

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Juanie,
      Yes you can apply an extra coat of Gesso to the already primed surface, this will help to reduce the absorbancy of the canvas.
      Another option is to apply a coat or two of an acrylic medium first like Golden GAC100, which will reduce linseed oil penetration into the canvas fibres to make the surface more non-absorbant. Then maybe apply one very thin coat of gesso on top for tooth. That should reduce absorbancy to a minimum.

      Cheers,
      Will

    2. Claire Metson

      Hi Juanie and Will

      I am interested in knowing about the cracking – I bought A Painting from my art teacher funnily enough and it is cracking in a few places – can you do anything about this or do i ask her to paint another for me. I am now quite careful about priming and where I buy canvas or boards now. In fact i like cutting and gesso’ing my own boards. Any tips gratefully received!!
      Thanks in advance
      Claire

      1. Will Kemp

        Hi Claire, you can have cracks repairs by a fine art restorer, but it can be costly depending on the level of damage and scale of the piece.
        Will

  11. mercy

    Hi will,
    I used oil paints to paint over an old painting – I could not remember if I used oil or acrylics for the original – now the oil paint is peeling – is it because the original was acrylic?
    How do you tell if a painting was done using oil or acrylic paint (years later)?

    Thank you,
    Mercy

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Mercy,
      You can paint oils on top of acrylics, but not acrylics on top of oils.

      The problems will occur if the existing painting is quite a thick application of paint and a smooth shiny surface, the remaining layers won’t have anything to ‘grab’ onto and gives a lack of adhesion. One simple way to test if the painting is oil or acrylic is to smell it!

      Cheers,
      Will

  12. Angela

    I painted wayyy back in the mid 60s while in high school. I would like to try my hand again just for fun. I used oil then, but the effect I ended up with was extremely smooth that it actually looked like chalk. I brushed it out a lot. My question is, should I try using acrylics this time around?

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Angela, you might be interested in this article that looks at the pros and cons between the two mediums.
      Cheers,
      Will

  13. Rhea

    Hi. I just painted a gorgeous sunset using oil paints on a cheaper pre-made hard canvas. I did not prep the board before painting, but would like to know how to seal my canvas on a budget. I’ve had teachers tell me a mix of glue and water will suffice. True? Thanks!
    Does this really work??

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Rhea, I wouldn’t reccomemd a glue and water mix as it will prevent the oxidation drying process of the oil paint.

      Cheers,
      Will

  14. Larry

    Hi Will,
    This is a great site. I painted regularly up until about 15 years ago. At the time I was working with gouache and acrylics. I’d like to start again, and I’ve been interested in doing some encaustic painting. It seems like for encaustics, along with gentle, subtle blends of color that oil might be the medium of choice. A few friends have recommended playing with acrylic modeling paste and gel media to sort of “imitate” the effects of working with wax and oil. What do you think?

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Larry, pleased you’re enjoying the site, you can use modelling paste and gels for creating textural effects and building up the surface of a painting, and can use acrylic mediums for transfer techniques to mimic some of the effects available with encaustics. It depends on the techniques and visual effects you’re trying to achieve.

      Cheers,
      Will

  15. Barbie.

    Hi Will! just found your site today! Love-it…Learning to paint portraits, wanted to try one in black and white. Watched your 5 part video, can’t wait to get started! great advice. Thanks Will, I am a new fan!!…Barbie

    1. Will Kemp

      Great to hear it Barbie, so pleased you’ve been finding the lessons helpful in your portraiture.
      Cheers,
      Will

  16. Amy

    Hi Will

    I’ve been following along with your acrylic painting courses and have had a heap of fun. I want to try my hand at oils now, and have bought a basic set and when I asked for Odourless Mineral Spirits I got home to find they gave me Chroma ‘Incredible Brush Cleaner’, which describes itself as a soap to remove paint. So now I am confused – I thought you used OMS instead of water (i.e. with acrylics you swish your brush in water to clean it before getting the next colour )- do I use this stuff like water for oils, or is it just for when you wash the brushes at the end of the painting? And … I’m too scared to squeeze the paint out onto the palette because now I don’t know what to mix it with to start painting! I don’t want to put soap on my canvas, do I? Please help! So bamboozled. Thanks so much,
    Amy

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Amy, yes, you can use odourless mineral spirits to clean your brushes aswell as a medium for your oil paints, whereas the Chroma incredible brush cleaner is just designed for cleaning your brushes.

      So you’d need to get some odourless mineral spirits to cut through the oil paint if you want to have a lean layer. Have a read through this oil portrait series which goes into detail about a classical oil painting process.

      Hope it helps,
      Will

      1. Amy

        Thanks Will.
        Yes, I didn’t think the incredible brush cleaner was the same as oms. I went back to the shop and bought some liquin by Windsor and Newton to use as a medium, as they didn’t know what I meant by oms. Anyway, thanks for confirming my suspicious, now to open my lovely new paints and get going :-) Cheers for your help Will, you’re the man!

        1. Will Kemp

          Good one Amy, Liquin is a great medium (it will speed up the drying of the oils) and can be very handy for glazes.

          Cheers,
          Will

  17. vishnu

    Hi will.
    I like to paint abstract floral painting like Susanna shap
    (https://www.etsy.com/in-en/shop/ModernHouseArt). It is more heavy impasto style used with palette knife. i tried once paint directly from tube with palette knife. however i could not get much embossed from canvas as susanna paintings. i read about liquin impasto medium to create impasto. but, as im from india, it is not available here. getting it through online too is of no use (shipping restrictions). i also read about adding saw dust to oil paint to create embossing. is it correct? Pls clear me.

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Vishnu, it is easiest to create heavy texture techniques using acrylics mixed with gels due to the quick drying nature of acrylics.
      Cheers,
      Will

  18. Carmen

    Hi Will,
    Thank-you for all your very useful information. I just have a technical question when using oils- I paint in thin layers and use just a small amount of painting medium at a time, I wait until a layer is touch dry before putting another layer down(about three days), but I sometimes find that it can fairly easily scratch off. Is this a problem? When the painting continues to dry will these layers harden up? and if so should I wait till each layer is very hard before painting another one? (I worry this may take a very long time)..
    Thank-you!
    Carmen

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Carmen, yes depending on the thickness of the paint layers the oil paint can take many months to fully dry and harden completely. You don’t need to wait until each layer is very hard, you just need to wait for the paint layers to fully cure if you intend on varnishing your oil painting.
      Hope this helps,
      Will

  19. gerald

    Since when I was young enough I have been using watercolours which I mastered very well.After sometimes i decided to switch to oil paints which i find more attractive because they are shiny ..,but have been facing some hardships as I am still a beginner.The oil paints get sticky as I am painting over the canvas this makes me unable to get an even tone of painting on my canvas .Please help me out sir

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Gerald, you should be able to get an even tone with your oil paints, try diluting with mineral spirits and applying your first layers.
      Hope this helps,

      Cheers,
      Will

  20. gerald

    Oh..thanks but i really put my trust on acrylic as i have seen in some of your videos already , they are very friendly when using them and will help you do painting easier than oils, as long as you know painting already.So i am gonna try using acrylics also to get their real taste and difference but I hope they won’t disappoint me like oil paints.I am looking forward to hear your helpful suggestions also

    1. Will Kemp

      Good one Gerald, hope you find the videos helpful in developing your acrylic skills!
      Cheers,
      Will

  21. gerald

    Sorry I texted wrongly up there so I come once again. I am thankful Will, I have now ordered some acrylic paints to begin my talent once again after a long postpone .as I read in one of your posts that “your talent is your pure energy” so this time am really passioned and determined to spend at least an hour or two in front of my canvas..just not to become a seasoned pro or amateur anymore .I will be always in touch with your video tutorials Will …nd I know you are always here to help

    1. Will Kemp

      Good one Gerald, pleased you’re feeling inspired!

      Cheers,
      Will

      1. gerald

        Hello will, I got my acrylic delivery today and am eagerly waiting to start following keenly every advice you gave on your previous posts ……

        1. Will Kemp

          Very exciting Gerald! hope you enjoy experimenting with your new paints.
          Cheers,
          Will

          1. gerald

            Hellow Will ,I wish I would upload what I did with acrylics ,it’s marvelous I can’t explain everyone around the pic. is like OMG., 2 to 3 instructions of yours like how to mix acrylics with water …..and a video tutorial pushed me forward to do all these.Thanks to you Will keep it up …and keep guiding us well .

          2. Will Kemp

            Pleased to hear you’re getting great results Gerald.
            Cheers,
            Will

  22. menchie

    Hi will, I would like to start painting in oil, what colors should I purchase would it be the same as the acrylic palette? Thanks! Menchie

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Menchie, yes, the acrylic palette also works great with oils.
      Cheers,
      Will

  23. Sue

    Hello Will
    Loving your website. I need to ask what you think of using greyboard for portrait painting. My question is with or without gesso?
    Thank you
    Sue

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Sue, is the greyboard similar to thick card mountboard?

  24. Kishori Taylor

    I so very realistic work with lots of detail so I am trying to get the smoothest surface possible. I used to work in pencils and am only just converting to oils, so I don’t know much about oil painting. Based on some research though, I used half and half liquitex modeling paste and liquitex gesso and I did around 10 very thin layers, dried and sanded in between each one before I got an ultra smooth egg shell finish. I also used up to 600 grit sand paper for the final sanding. However, when I applied my oil paint it didn’t seem to adhere very well. The brushstrokes were very visible and very shiny as the oil didn’t seemed to get absorbed. When I painted on a normal canvas paper with some ‘tooth’ and ‘texture’ the oil paint flowed on very nicely and was absorbed by the paper and actually seemed more smooth because the brushstrokes sort of ‘melted’ into the paper. I am wondering if I made it ‘too’ smooth? Should there be some sort of ‘tooth’ for the oil paint to catch on to? What do you suggest I should do? Someone suggested maybe it’s the modeling paste, and I am wondering if I just use gesso maybe it would be better?

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Kishori, If the surface is shiny the oil will be more likely to sit onto the surface. If you imagine a drop of oil on a sheet of plastic and a drop of oil on a piece of paper towel.

      You then just need to match the level of absorption of your ground to the handling properties you like when painting.

      The modeling paste is usually used to add texture so if you wanted a smooth surface you could just use gesso.

      Hope this helps,

      Cheers,
      Will

  25. Lachlan

    Hello Will,
    Is the acrylic size you mention the same thing as acrylic gesso, e.g. Winsor & Newton Artists’ Acrylic White Gesso, and could I use this gesso and nothing else to prepare watercolour paper for impasto style acrylic painting? How about oil painting?

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Lachlan, no, the acrylic size is a modern replacement for rabbit skin glue, such as GAC 100 from Golden paints.
      For oils on raw canvas you would paint a layer of size first, then a coat or two of gesso. You could use the acrylic gesso on watercolour paper for acrylics without a layer of size, but would have to size the surface for oils.

      Hope this helps,

      Cheers,
      Will

  26. Louise Berry

    Hi l! I have just started painting again and in oil. I have just bought canvas but feel that stretching my own canvas would be best. As I am still new to this, can you recommend materials to buy to get a lasting canvas. Also what is the process? Thanks :)

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Louise, you will need stretcher bars, a roll of canvas, stretcher pliers, a staple gun and strong fingers! You might find this lesson of interest on the basics of stretching an artist canvas
      Cheers,
      Will

  27. Malcolm Pounder

    Hello Will
    Stumbled across your website earlier this year , found it so interesting decided to have a go at a portrait in oil following your 5 step tutorial – amazed at the results ! I`ve now done several portraits , some better than others but all better than I ever imagined I was capable of.My question is , I`m thinking of glazing over the greyscale portrait but how do I mix a skin colour for a glaze , I read that white is opaque so presumably best avoided ? Any advice.
    Thanks for your website that has sparked a new hobby for me.

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Malcolm, nice to hear from you and really pleased you’ve been finding the portrait tutorial helpful in your portraits. You can still mix in white with the colours for glazing, and often you need to paint on thicker than you think. I’m planning a new coloured glazing course for oils that should be out in the new year. Starting with a yellow ochre and a cadmium red will give you a good base colour for the skin tones.

      Cheers,
      Will

  28. Angela

    Hi Will,

    Good morning.
    Signed up to your website just yesterday. Thanks.

    I want to start to paint in oils, but has no experience ( except from high school 30 yrs ago :-)) or knowledge on the subject. I went on a two-afternoons Plein-Air class a couple of weeks ago and would like to continue this adventure.
    My first questions are: what should be my basic color palette (Old Holland), which brushes do I need, how do I mix colors? As I noticed from that class, of course is, the lack of knowledge about how to get the color I needed. Does your acrylic paint color mixing guide also go for oils? Is Richeson oil paint a good alternative for the Old Holland?

    Thank you and have a wonderful weekend.

    Angela

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Angela, if you have a look through the website tabs at the top there are a number of getting started articles about brushes, colour mixing and choosing a colour palette. Yes, the same principles from the simple colour mixing course can be applied to oils, some of the techniques would have to be slightly tweaked due to the different drying rates of the paints, but the colour mixing theory remains the same.
      Cheers,
      Will

      1. Angela

        Dear Will, I will look into the tabs. Thanks again. Great. Regards, Angela

  29. Marie

    Help!!!
    Hi Will,
    I was wondering if you could offer any advice regarding a canvas i lovingly streched then naively primed with acrylic gesso WITHOUT sizing first. Should i size the back of the canvas? I intend on working in oils.
    Can you offer any advice please?
    So much to learn! Thank you for your generousity.
    Cheers,
    Marie

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Marie, the sizing layer is more to protect the canvas from the paint above it, so although it would help a little it wouldn’t give you a complete seal applying to the back, so I wouldn’t add it to the back. Personally, I would use that canvas for an acrylic painting and start afresh with a new canvas for your oils. It might not be what you want to hear, but what if this painting is your Mona Lisa, you’d then kick yourself.

      Cheers,
      Will

  30. Laura

    Hi Will,

    Maybe I missed it, but can you give an idea of which of these steps would be protocol for a wood panel? I prefer painting on panel, and have bought some unfinished ones. Thanks. -Laura

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Laura, the steps would essential be the same, but depending on the wooden panel you’re using you could apply a coat of GAC100 (from Golden paints) to the board first to seal the wood. Sometimes moisture can pull any impurities out of the wood into the gesso layer. A coat of GAC100 seals the wood and creates a barrier between the wood and the painting.

      Hope this helps,

      Cheers,
      Will

  31. Judy Mather

    Hi Will, thanks for all your guidance. I am changing from acrylics to oil and know only the simple basics. My question…I have watched some oil painter abstract videos, (I paint in abstract) and it looks like a couple are using paint store oil out of large cans. Is that ok to use. I think I wiould like the paint can consistency so much better then the tube heavy looks and I wouldn’t have to thin. Thanks, Judy

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Judy, are they oil based wall paints? they won’t be as pigmented as artist quality oils and will have a greater colour shift from wet to dry.
      Will

  32. Wei Hsueh

    I have a roll of Gesso-primed cotton canvas. Can I prime it again with oil primer?

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Wei, yes, you can apply an oil primer on top.
      Cheer,
      Will

      1. Wei Hsueh

        Thanks.

  33. Ankita Bose

    Hi
    I just finished an oil painting. I want to to if I can change the colors when it dries or will it spoil the colors I already did.

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Ankita, you can paint ontop of the oil paint even when it’s dried on the surface to alter the appearance and change the colours.
      Cheers,
      Will

  34. Wayne

    I would like to glue a pre gessoed linen or canvas over a failed oil painting on a board. What glue, if any will work? The board has oil paint or patches of oil paint on both sides but the panel is good so I would like to use it.

    Thank you,
    Wayne

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Wayne, you can use a ph neutral PVA glue for attaching linen to a canvas, only issue might be if there is oil on both sides getting a good bond, you could lightly sand the surface of the oil to give a tooth for the glue to grab to.
      Cheers,
      Will

  35. Wayne

    Thank you

  36. Mark

    I have been having trouble off and on with my dark mixtures of oils cracking after 3 to 7 months. Sometimes they crack and sometimes they don’t which is making it a problem to discover why. I came across a listing that some colored oils dry faster than others. My thought is that perhaps on occasion I mix the two or three colors that have a different drying time and that I why they are cracking. I paint alla prima, so there is no fat/lean issues and I only have cracking issues with dark paints. I use linseed oil mixed with my paints. What do you think?

    1. Will Kemp

      What surface are you painted onto Mark? you could try a few test samples onto board to see if it’s the canvas movement rather than the differences in drying time.

  37. Susan

    Hi Will,
    I read with interest your reply on how to reduce the absorbency of store-bought, pre-stretched canvas that has already been sized and then primed with acrylic gesso. I will try the Golden Gac 100 and then acrylic gesso on that to reduce absorbency. Had read elsewhere of an artist who then puts down a layer of titanium white oil paint to let that sink into the ground to further reduce absorbency and to provide a super bright white ground to let transparent glazes of oil shine through. I have not yet tried this and am wondering what your thoughts might be on that. Thank you!

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Susan, if you’re working with acrylics, I wouldn’t ever use an oil ground underneath. However, if you’re working with oils on top of an acrylic ground have a look at Michael Hardings non-absorbent acrylic ground, it will stop the oil soaking into the canvas as much.

      Hope this helps,

      Cheers,
      Will

  38. Marco

    Hi Will, I am starting a new project and I just tinted the canvas in preparation for transferring my drawing and I ran into an issue. I made a neutral (without any white) and thinned it way down to the consistency of milk (i guess). when i scrubbed the paint into the canvas with a big bristle brush, the paint really drank into the canvas quickly. I tried to smooth with a rag but it wouldn’t move at all, it only let me take the very darks off and didn’t let me smooth the brush marks. I am painting in oils on oil primed linen and using spike lavender oil as a thinner. Any ideas?

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Marco, you should be able to apply another slightly thicker coat on top to even the appearance. You can use an alykd white to speed the drying for an oil ground.
      Cheers,
      Will

  39. Rosemary Clark

    Question: A lady has asked if I can repair a small spot of damage on a fairly old oil painting (a family member painted it, so it has sentimental value only), and I want to use acrylics since I’ve used them the past 10 years and am familiar with them. Can I DO that? The damage has not torn the canvas, just basically damaged the paint. I was thinking that if I sand it slightly, or put down a small spot of gesso, that that might work. I’m really good at matching colors, so that’s not an issue. I’d love if you would give me your opinion. Seems most places I looked online had no definitive answer. Thanks!

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Rosemary, you might have an adhesion problem as its acrylic on top of oil, if it’s sanded back to raw canvas and then build up from a gesso base it would be ok but might be harder to match in the sanded area, personally, I’d be tempted to use an oil to touch in.
      Hope this helps,

      Cheers,
      Will

  40. Lizzie Gallup

    Hi Will, I read it all but I still cannot find the answer: How do I prepare a sizing for the first layer of the priming process for my oil painting? know I can be followed by an acrylic gesso, but what First? Cheers-Elizabeth

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Lizzie, you can use an acrylic size or a traditional size (like rabbit skin glue). The acrylic size will tend to sag the canvas, but if on stretcher bars you can knock out the wooden keys in the back to re-tighten. Rabbit skin glue will make the surface super taut but becomes more brittle as it ages. Go over with a fine sandpaper and then apply your gesso.
      Hope this helps,

      Cheers,
      Will

  41. Don Keene

    Hi Will,
    I’m a painter in Connecticut and have been stretching my own canvas and painting for forty years, but have some questions about my procedure regarding archival quality. Though I’ve carefully read this article, as well as “How to Prime a Canvas using Gesso for Acrylic Painting,” I still don’t feel secure that I have the answer I’m looking for.

    Is it OK (archivally sound) to first size my unprimed heavy weight cotton canvas, after stretching, with Rabbit Skin Glue sizing, then prime it with one or two coats of acrylic gesso?

    I had in the past been priming with an oil based primer, but would like to switch to acrylic gesso.

    Would this (priming with gesso) be a good way to avoid future cracking of the paint?

    Also, It was recommended to me a few years ago to use PVA Size instead of rabbit skin glue, but I didn’t like it as well and the canvases didn’t stretch as tightly.

    If I do prime my stretched canvas with gesso is it even necessary to first coat with glue sizing? I like using the rabbit skin glue sizing because of the texture and tightening of the canvas it provides prior to applying the primer. But if I’m going to use gesso as a primer, is it counterproductive somehow or harmful to the future of the canvas to apply the rabbit skin glue sizing as a first step?

    Thank you for any clear help you can provide. The main objectives I have are to work on properly textured, tightly stretched canvas surfaces, and to be as archivally sound as possible.
    Don

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Don, nice to hear from you.

      Is it OK (archivally sound) to first size my unprimed heavy weight cotton canvas, after stretching, with Rabbit Skin Glue sizing, then prime it with one or two coats of acrylic gesso?

      Yes, that is the right way to go with it, size first, then prime with a gesso on top of the size. The acrylic gesso might slightly slack the canvas so after applying you can knock out the stretcher bars to re-tighten, it will also be more absorbent than a traditional oil ground.

      I had in the past been priming with an oil based primer, but would like to switch to acrylic gesso.
      Would this (priming with gesso) be a good way to avoid future cracking of the paint?

      Yes, having a flexible gesso will help prevent cracking, but having a flexible surface can also lead to more chance of movement than a board canvas.

      Cracking, or Craquelure, can occur from a number of reasons from surface preparation to the ratios of oil in the paint layers to environmental factors.

      There are various Craquelure patterns from history that reflect the surface they are painted onto:

      These seven criteria have been used to identify “styles” of craquelure, which relate crack patterns to various historic schools of art. This links the crack patterns with specific time periods, locations, and painting styles.

      Italian paintings on panel (1300-1500): cracks oriented perpendicular to wood grain with jagged lines and distinct secondary networks of thin cracks

      Flemish paintings on panel (1400-1600): cracks oriented parallel to wood grain with smooth, straight segments; uniform thicknesses and small, square islands observed

      Dutch paintings on canvas (1600s): cracks oriented perpendicular to major axis of painting with jagged lines and square junctions; cracks tend to follow weft and warp of canvas support

      French paintings on canvas (1700s): non-directional cracks with smooth, curved lines in random distributions; newly-developed, stiffer sublayers tended to delocalize tension from the support and remove the connection between crack direction and canvas weave

      Bucklow, Spike (1997). “The Description of Craquelure Patterns“. Studies in Conservation


      If I do prime my stretched canvas with gesso is it even necessary to first coat with glue sizing?

      It is advisable to have a layer of size under the gesso layer.

      But if I’m going to use gesso as a primer, is it counterproductive somehow or harmful to the future of the canvas to apply the rabbit skin glue sizing as a first step?

      No, this would be a traditional way of preparing a canvas surface.

      If you’re working in oils, you could also use a ground like Gamblin Ground. It’s a halfway house between traditional oil and acrylic primers, giving you a stiffer and less absorbent finish than an acrylic ground but more flexibility than traditional oil primers.

      “Gamblin Ground is formulated from alkyd resin, titanium dioxide, and calcium carbonate – titanium dioxide gives opacity, while calcium carbonate gives tooth for strong adhesion.

      Gamblin Ground makes a brighter and less-absorbent ground layer compared to acrylic “gesso” – meaning that oil paint layers on top will better retain their color saturation.” – Gamblin website

      Hope this helps Don,
      Will

  42. Ronel

    Hi Will, Ive been painting for many years with Acrylics but changed to oils about two years ago. I have always used modeling paste with the acrylic to get different structure on the canvas. This time I did the same thing but instead of mixing it with the acrylic I applied the structure paste and modeling paste on a gesso canvas, then gesso again and then painted with oil. The painting came out beautiful but now I am worried about the structure paste and think I may have made a big mistake. Will it affect the oil paint, like cracking?

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Ronel, cracking usually occurs when the underlying layer dries at a different rate than the layer above. If the structure below is with acrylic it should stay stable once dried.
      Will

  43. Sophie

    Hi Will, I have an older painting which I’d like to paint over and re-use the canvas from. The original painting was a mix of water based house paint and acrylic. Do you think it would be disastrous and how would you suggest I prepare the canvas for oils?

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Sophie, depending on how thick the previous paint was applied it might be too slippery for the oil to easily adhere to, usually I would paint oil ontop of acrylics only when the acrylics have been applied quite thinly and diluted with water.
      Will

  44. lori

    Hi Will I have both oil primed and acrylic primed linen canvases and unfortunately got them mixed up. Can you tell just by looking which is which?

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Lori,
      If you drop a drop of water on the surface, the oil primed should repel the water.
      Will

  45. Lee

    Hi Will, i am a total beginner to oils, i have bought a canvas that says it is already prepared, do i need to to add another gesso to be sure? I want to paint with the Bob Ross wet on wet technique.
    Thanks
    Lee

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Lee, if the canvas is white is has a coat of gesso on it.
      Cheers,
      Will

  46. Stella

    Hi Will, I hope you have a great day today! I’m not an art student and I never been but my hobby includes painting, designing and doing crafts. I’ve been painting using watercolor and coffee as my medium for years already and now I decided to try oil painting. My problem is, I know nothing about oil paintings and the things I read in the internet are quite hard to grasp or understand as different articles tells different things/facts about oil paintings. I actually tried oil painting on the free canvas pad I got when I bought my oil paints and my first experience in oil painting is wonderful, I love how easy it is to paint and achieve my subject and goals. MY PROBLEM is, I want to try painting on a canvas board or canvas panel but my city has limited art supplies and all I could search in the online stores are primed canvas suited for acrylic painting. Can I use it for oil painting? If yes, Can I paint directly on an acrylic primed canvas or do I need to put a layer of Gamblin traditional oil gesso (or anything other than this) on the canvas? Thank you so much in advance. Truly appreciative, Stella

    1. Stella

      Hi Will, it’s Stella again, I know you haven’t responded to my first reply since I just sent it minutes ago but I do have another question I forgot to include in my first reply. I read that Gamblin Traditional Gesso is a dry mixture of rabit skin glue, gypsum, marble dust and titanium dioxide. Does this product can both serves as the size and ground when applied to a raw canvas? Or It is only used as ground and I still have to use rabit skin glue as size layer? Thanks Will, have a great day ahead!

      1. Will Kemp

        Hi Stella, if I was prepping a raw canvas I would apply a size layer first then apply a gesso layer.
        Cheers,
        Will

    2. Will Kemp

      Hi Stella, yes you will be able to paint with the oils straight onto the acrylic primed boards.
      Will

      1. Stella

        Thank you so much for responding Will! I just had one more question, won’t the acrylic primed canvas have effect (like on the longevity of my paintings) on my oil paintings? Because I was planning to sell my paintings.

  47. Evelina

    Hi Will, how do you prepare a finished oil painting for varnishing?
    Thanks,
    Evelina

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Evelina, you can ‘oil out’ the surface to prepare it before applying a varnish coat.
      Will

      1. Evelina

        Thank you for your help!

  48. Lori

    I an in California USA. Can I take a class from you. Does your payment translate?

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Lori, yes, the payment processor will convert the payment from GBP£’s to USD$ at the checkout.
      Will

  49. june

    Great site. Can i ask, what is the best thinner for oil paint and brush cleaner? Thank you

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi June, for traditional oil paint ‘turpenoid natural’ is good for brush cleaning. And you can dilute with Odourless Mineral Spirits (Gamsol from Gamblin is nice) and then a linseed oil.

      Cheers,
      Will

  50. Alysia

    Hi Will, Thanks for the post. I have prepared a few canvases and use acrylic gesso as a primer before starting an oil painting. When you recommend a thin acrylic layer on top of gesso for an oil painting, can I just clarify that the acrylic layer is optional? Do you recommend I start doing this for archival reasons? The reason I came across your post is that I was looking for an oil gesso to cover an old, dry oil painting so I could start over. And to complicate matters, some of the oil paintings are done with water mixable oils that I want to paint over. I usually just keep painting a completely new painting with the old one underneath but it would be nice to start with a blank white canvas again. So far I just rip off the canvas and reuse the wooden frame and stretch another canvas with canvas cut off from a roll. Your thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks for your time.

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Alysia,

      When you recommend a thin acrylic layer on top of gesso for an oil painting, can I just clarify that the acrylic layer is optional?

      Yes, 100% optional, you’d only tend to use it on occasion if you wanted to block in an underpainting more quickly and utilise the fast-drying nature of the acrylics.

      And to complicate matters, some of the oil paintings are done with water mixable oils that I want to paint over.

      You could still use an oil gesso over the top, you just wouldn’t then be able to use water-mixable oils on top and dilute the oils with water as they wouldn’t adhere aswell to the surface.

      Will

  51. Amy

    Hi Will, my Dad has always recommended your website so here I am.
    I’m just wondering, in terms of painting with oils on paper (rather than canvas), would the same principles apply? ie, would i need a size and then a gesso layer?

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Amy, it’s a bit tricker on paper as it will have a tendency to absorb the paint more, but you could apply a couple of coats of acrylic gesso onto the paper and work onto of that, or if you are getting too much absorption into the paper use a non-absorbent oil primer (Michael harding makes a nice one)
      Hope this helps,
      Will

  52. Diane

    Hi Will. I have bought a different brand of canvas to what I normally use. I painted an acrylic gesso layer on. I then drew my picture and sealed the pencil with a light acrylic wash. All things I have done on other canvas brands. I now find that the oils seem to leave brush marks and almost brush off as I paint. This hasn’t happened before. Is it the canvas that can cause this? I would have thought the gesso layer would prevent this. Any suggestions?

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Diane, yes sound slike the canvas might have a slight protective coating on them that is repelling the paint. What you can do with the acrylic gesso is add a little wetting agent (flow release). This is a material similar to soap that reduces the surface tension of water so will help the gesso layer grab onto the surface.

      Will

  53. Ani

    Hi Will, what an amazing source of information your site is! Thank you, love your classes too. I have bought several of them, they are so well made, I wish I could study painting in person in your class.

    I have just changed from acrylics to oils and have been painting on acrylic paper – W&N Galleria Pads. It’s only for trying things out. Long term would acrylic paper hold to oil paint?

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Ani, so pleased you’ve been enjoying the articles and have found the courses helpful. With acrylic paper, you might have an issue with the oil seeping into the paper. W&N make an oil-paper pad that would be more suited.

      Cheers,
      Will

  54. Amit

    I have been reading your articles, they are very informative. I bought your glazing course. It was really good. I have trying to oil paint for many years but I still struggle with preparing the canvas. If I prepare it with gesso, it’s too smooth. So I tried using moulding paste. Can you tell me how many parts of moulding paste to gesso should I add to make a good surface for oil painting. Thanks , regards !!

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Amit, are you after the textured surface for portraits?
      Will

  55. Amit

    Hi Will , no I am not looking for a textured surface. I am looking for a normal smooth surface for portraits. But with gesso the surface is too slick and too smooth for my liking and the oil paint doesn’t adhere to the surface. I read somewhere that to increase absorption of gesso one can add molding paste to it . But I am not sure what ratio they should be added. I work on a normal cotton canvas . Thanks, regards !

    1. Will Kemp

      Hey Amit, mmm, I’m not sure why you’re not getting a good adhesion with the gesso. Is it an oil-based or acrylic gesso?

  56. Amit

    Hi Will , it’s an acrylic based gesso . Regards !

    1. Will Kemp

      Hey Amit, mmm, that’s so strange, you could try with a couple of molding pastes, but they are primarily designed to add textural effects to the paint surface.
      Will

  57. Farren

    Hi Will,
    I’d like to sign the back of my canvas in oils, over a strip of oil colour. Do I need to prime a section of the back first? (Before painting the colour strip?)
    Thanks so much!

    1. Will Kemp

      Hi Farren, yes, I’d put a primer layer before the swatch.
      Will

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