Oil Paint

What does Bob Ross use to prime his canvas?

Bob Ross typically worked on a gesso-prepared canvas, using a dry ground beneath later wet-on-wet mediums such as Liquid White or Liquid Clear.

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Very beginning, Bob Ross prime his canvas. For priming canvas Bob Ross uses gesso. He uses 2 or 3 layers of gesso to ensure the canvas is properly ready. 

In this article, I will explain the following:

In other articles I already explained the:

What does Bob Ross use gesso for? Alternative?

Gesso creates an absorbent, toothy ground for the painting surface, and compatible artist-grade acrylic gesso products can serve the same basic priming role.

GradeNote
Bob Ross R62GESSO-50 White GessoArtistic and Bob Ross brandBob Ross brand product
Liquitex BASICS Gesso Surface Prep MediumArtisticPopular gesso
U.S. Art Supply White Gesso Acrylic MediumArtistic Popular gesso in the art world, you will get good results 
Dina Wakley Media Gesso 4oz Jar, WhiteArtistic Cheap one in artist grade, but good product 
Prima Marketing 961442 Art Basics Heavy GessoArtistic It is also a good product 

How to apply gesso?

Apply gesso in thin, even coats to a suitable support and let each coat dry as directed, with sanding between coats only when a smoother surface is desired.

You need:

  1. A brush (foam brush recommended) or paint roller.
  2. Gesso(mix white with a small amount of black gesso recommended).
  3. 240 fine grit sandpaper (for sand between gesso layer)
  4. One-inch brush to remove extra gesso from the canvas.

Necessary materials...

Material typeGradeNote
US Art Supply 2 inch Foam Sponge Paint Brush Foam Sponge Paint Brush StudentGreat for applying gesso
3M Pro-Pak Garnet Sanding, 150A-GritSandpaperRecommended for canvas preparation

How to apply?

Step 1. preparation: Take white gesso and a small amount of black gesso on a paint plate. Then mix it properly. White gesso with black gesso mixed helps you identify where you miss applying gesso and other issues.

Step 2. Apply: Now apply the prepared gesso on the canvas. Use a foam brush or roller and apply the gesso to all the areas on the canvas. You can easily identify issues and the spot where gesso is not properly applied. Fix the area. 

Step 3. Check the thickness: The gesso layer should be very thin. You can easily identify the thickness with your fingers. Touch your five fingers in five areas bottom, upper, left, right, and middle of the canvas. If you think the canvas is watery, use a 1-inch clean brush, apply it on the canvas, and remove the watery effect.

Step 4. Dry and more coats if possible: Give it time to dry. The canvas will be dry within 30-60 minutes, then lightly sand the gesso with 240 fine grit sandpaper. It will make the gesso layer more smooth. Again apply the 2nd coat following the same method. If it needs to, apply a 3ed coat also. 

Now your canvas is properly prime, next apply the liquid white or black to make the canvas wet and ready for paint. You know we are following wet on wet technique, so liquid white is an important part.

In this article, I explained how to apply liquid white on gesso-primed canvas.

What happens if you don't use gesso?

Skipping gesso can leave an unsuitable or overly absorbent support, depending on the canvas preparation, while pre-primed canvases may not need additional ground.

If you do not apply gesso on canvas as a primer, the canvas can not get enough ability to hold paint. There can be a chance to peel off the paint when dry. Liquid white makes the canvas wet and dry slower. Without gesso, it takes a lot of days to dry.

Do I need to apply primer if I'm painting white?

Primer and white paint serve different purposes, so a white topcoat does not replace surface preparation when the support needs sealing, adhesion, or an even ground.

These guides follow the canvas-preparation process from gesso into wet base coats and the oil paints used on top.