* PRESENTS *

Julia Passamonti-Colamartino “Artista Straordinaria”

venetiancat.comSpecializing in the Techniques of the Old Italian and Dutch

Masters

Priming a Canvas for Oil

PaintingPreparing a Lead Ground

Pt I

Materials (Pt 1)• Wooden Canvas

Stretchers

• Canvas (fine 100% cotton duck)

• Rabbit Skin Glue (sizing)

• Liquid Nails for wood

• Fabric Scissors

• Spray bottle with water

• Staple Gun

• Canvas Stretching Pliers

Step 1

• Assemble stretchers, adding a drop of Liquid Nails in the corners to secure frame.

Step 2

• Cut canvas about 2 inches larger all around than the frame.

Step 3

• Staple the canvas to the back of the frame using only one staple per side.

Step 4

• Saturate canvas with water. The allows the fabric to shrink before the final stretching.

• Allow to dry.

Step 5

• While the canvas is drying, prepare the rabbit skin glue.• Soak granules at a ratio of 16:1. 1Tbsp : 16 Tbsp of water is sufficient for a small canvas (9” x 12”) 2 Tbsp : 32 Tbsp of water for a medium sized canvas (14” x 18”). • SOAK OVERNIGHT so that the beads swell fully.

Step 6• Once dry, the canvas is

stretched using canvas pliers.

• Staples are placed lengthwise along the perimeter, following the frame.

• Corners are neatly folded and stapled as is loose canvas on the back.

Canvas is ready for glue size

Notice staple placement.

Purpose of Glue:

• Rabbit skin glue size stiffens, seals and waterproofs the surface of the canvas so that the paint sits on top rather than soaking in.

• It smoothes the surface by filling in the fabric, and is impermeable to solvents in oil paint.

The next day…

• Glue granules have swollen and are ready to be heated in order to liquefy.

Step 7

• Glue MUST NOT be allowed to boil, so it is best to use double boiler method.

(Notice the great pottery in the background ; ) )

Bowl is placed in a pot with an inch of water and heated.

Step 8

• Glue will have a honey-like consistency when ready.

• Brush onto canvas, being sure to saturate well. Be sure to include the sides and the folded-over part. It is not necessary to paint the back.

• Allow to dry overnight.

Step 9

• A second coat of glue is applied the next day. This is heated only to a gel-like consistency (not like honey, as before) and forced into the weave with the palm of the hand.

• Glue dissolves with hot water for cleanup.

• Allow to dry overnight.

Step 10

• Sand once dry using 150 grit extra fine

sandpaper.

Part II

The Lead GroundRemember: Lead is

poisonous. Be sure to clean hands immediately upon contact and/or to wear gloves.

Lead is most dangerous in a dry state. Be sure to wear a mask if

sanding a painted surface.

Materials Pt II:

• Flake White Oil Paint, (formerly known as Lead White)

• Japan Drier• Trowel-Shaped

Palette Knife• Disposable Palette

Step 1B

• Add a few drops of Japan Dryer to Flake White. Japan Drier is important-it will take forever to dry without it.

• Using trowel palette knife, mix into the paint well until smooth.

• Apply to canvas.

Step 2B

• Using trowel, spread a thin layer of paint/drier mixture on the canvas surface. Start from the middle and work toward the edges.

• Make final smoothing strokes parallel to each other.

• Allow to dry overnight.

Step 3B

• A second coat is added once the first coat has dried for 24 hours.

• The second coat is applied from the center and smoothed in straight rows perpendicular to the first layer

• Allow to dry overnight.

Finishing Up:• Sand in between coats if necessary, using

extra fine 150 grit sandpaper and a mask. Lead paint is at its most dangerous in a powdered state!

• Allow canvas to dry for at least one week.• Repeat the process 1 or 2 more times, with

each successive coat perpendicular to the first, until the canvas surface is as smooth as desired.

YOU ARE NOW READY TO BEGIN PAINTING!