Make Your Canvas SMOOTHER Than Paper

This video is a follow up to my previous video on how to prepare the smoothest canvas ever. Since I've been getting a bunch of questions, I've decided to make an updated version where I go into a lot more detail. I'd recommend this smooth canvas for airbrush painting, acrylics, oils, and all drawing mediums such as graphite, colored pencils, ink, pastels, etc.

I'll show you how I used MDF (medium density fiberboard) to stretch my canvas and then cover the original canvas texture with multiple coats of gesso applied and removed with a taping knife. This process is easy but takes time and can be quite messy. However it is worth it, and I found this to be the best canvas surface to paint or airbrush on. Try it out for yourself! Thanks for watching.

Supplies:

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[theartworkshop]

In the new video I'll show you another way to do this much faster using super heavy gesso.

[mohanpugaz]

Thats one reason why paintings are costly. What an effort even before you start painting. 👌👌👌

[timeenuf]

Wasn't aware of the difference using a taping knife and paint brushes when applying gesso. Makes perfect sense. Thank you.

[jilliancrawford]

Thank you!!
I had no idea super smooth surfaces were an option for oil until recently and super smooth surfaces are my favorite ones to work on for any medium.
I also love how detailed and specific this tutorial is. It isn't vague and answers questions right when they came to mind! It saves so much on guesswork and errors! I can't wait to give this a try, thank you!!

[kristalnegronfuentes]

One of the best videos explaining how to prime a canvas. Thank your for it!

[TriniRoyQuiReyes]

For years, I 'd wanted this information, lack of it has created a barrier between me and painting, I ' m do grateful, Thank you so much I subscribed rang bell and gave this beautiful video a like👍🥰😘😘❤️

[AmazinGraceXOXO]

This was so helpful I can’t even tell you how badly I’ve been looking for something like this. Thank you!

[Banyaga]

Thank you for sharing!!! Without formal education on art, this is quite helpful. Hope to watch more of your videos.

[madArt]

I’ve been painting for a long time since Mom gave me my first oils 1975.
I’ve been doing this for decades, I like a soothing smooth surface so I use spatula to apply my gesso and sand between layers to get a polished marble finish but using a wet sanding technique? Awesome info. I’m going to use it.
Thanks for sharing

[greghenry]

From an auto paint background...
I've taken a 1/4" piece of plexiglass cut it to the size of sandpaper. (Approximately 2 1/2" wide. I also buy rolls of paper so the length is dependent.)
Ease the corners slightly (please pay a little more attention to the corners.)
Fashioned a handle with two pieces of Gorilla tape.
These are spectacular due to the rigidity and the ability to customize the sizes. You'll end up with a much more flat surface and can be used wet or dry.
Thank you for the time spent making the videos, I understand the amount of work involved. I also appreciate your style and approach, it's done in a logical format for me to follow. Keep up the good work.

[caseyallred]

This is the first video I've found which gives me confidence in getting canvases prepped. The ability to whip together a viable canvas for a project simply from the dimensions as long as I have the canvas and mdf for it is really liberating and much more realistic of a process for getting a lot of canvases ready without having to invest in the lumber for frames

[mjpete]

Sweet video! Thank you. I loved the 8 to 10 coats! I am always adding more coats to the pre-made canvases, yes I am told time and time again that I am wasting my efforts, yet my surfaces are smoother than others by far! I will take a look at your new posting and I just wanted to say thank you. Well done!

[christophernelson]

I am so grateful for this video. I'm doing a mixed media piece on canvas, I gessoed my surface, but the oil pastels were not adhering to the surface as I would like. I even considered using a wood panel or even paper after this failure. But the wood is too large & heavy (the painting is 45in by66in), and the paper is just not what I want (you now? what if i make it to a gallery/museum one day?!? i want my works to be on a strong, light surface). You saved me! My oil pastels look AMAZING on this surface, you're a life saver. Thank you so much, all the way from the Caribbean!

[greatsewing]

Very informative. Glad to see procedures for a smooth canvas.

[lesgoins]

My wife and I are total newbies we're gonna be doing some large abstracts and pours and other of that type--GREAT JOB!

[johnelliott]

This is great! I saw your first video and did this to the next canvases I am working on for clients. I use store purchased canvas and I do some of my bigger works on linen on custom frames. Many thanks!

[MarisaG-gd]

Excellent video - Thank you for easy to follow instructions via great camera work, editing, and to-the-point voice-over. Superb video. I do high detail graphite drawings and this is exactly what I've been looking for to do it on canvas - thank you! My only question is whether I could do an orbital sander at the end to get it *even smoother* if that's possible. Have you tried that or is the hand sander a better option? Many thanks.

[jeffd]

Wow! That’s a lot of effort you put into making this video. Thanks!

[alexfaktor]

Thank you for going into more detail with this video. I have prepared several MDF boards and some hot-pressed paper according to your instructions. I am now at the sanding stage and was about to use 600 grit and higher. I'm glad you corrected me and now I know this isn't really necessary. I can't wait to airbrush on these. I've been spraying on hot-pressed paper and then lightly using erasing techniques, but the paper doesn't hold up long. This gesso is the answer. Many thanks for these videos! I've learned so much from this channel.

[gaga]

great thx. I use Fabriano fine grain watercolour paper and add gesso 2 times- works like a charm