SURFACES & PRIMERS
Artists' Acrylics can be used on a large variety of supports, including canvas, paper, wood, degreased leather, brickwork, or anything that is neither greasy nor too glossy. It is important to choose a good quality, strong and well prepared support as it will have a profound effect on the character & longevity of your painting.
Stretched canvas (made from cotton or linen) is the most common painting support for professional artists. The weave of the cloth combined with the spring of the stretched material are canvases' most popular features.
Paper is popular with acrylic painters for its texture and drag. It is also an economical support which can be less inhibiting than a stretched canvas. As acrylics are not prone to sinking like oils, a wider variety of results can be more easily achieved on paper. Galeria paper is lightly embossed with a canvas texture (not available in the USA).
Good quality heavy water colour paper can also be used, if a traditional surface is preferred. Paper can be primed, using the brushwork for extra texture.
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Primers control the texture, absorbency and the colour of the support. It is important to use a good quality primer for good quality colours as the longevity of the painting depends upon all its constituent parts.
There are four Winsor & Newton acrylic primers from which to choose. Acrylic Gesso Primer has the highest covering power and is the best primer if using only one coat. Galeria Gesso Primer provides a good quality gesso at an affordable price. Galeria Black Gesso provides a matt black surface for those wanting to start with a dark ground at an affordable price. Clear Gesso Base is a unique product which provides tooth but no colour, hence artists can make their own coloured gesso primer by the addition of acrylic colours to the base.
