subject: Unprimed Polyester Canvas - Primed Vs. Unprimed Polyester Canvas [print this page] If you are going to use a polyester canvas for your next project, you should know the difference between a primed and an unprimed one. A primed canvas is one that has no less than one layer of latex on top of it. Whether you need a primed or unprimed canvas, and what material you use depends entirely on your project needs and your personal preference. We will review why someone would choose primed or unprimed canvases, and why they may choose a polyester canvas over traditional cotton or linen canvases.
First, you will need to choose if you want unprimed or primed canvas. This is dependent mostly upon the type of project you are working on. For example, an artist who wishes to create an oil masterpiece will definitely want to use a primed canvas, because oil will soak right into an unprimed canvas. Unprimed polyester canvas, as well as cotton or linen, will soak up certain inks and paints. However, unprimed canvas can work well for paints such as acrylic, because they are very heavy and thick, unlike other paints, such as water colors or oils. Oil paint actually has the ability to eat through a canvas!
With that said, you definitely want to use a primed canvas when painting with oil. When using water colors, you also definitely want to use a primed canvas, because an unprimed polyester canvas will soak up the watery nature of the paint. Also, this can cause bleeding of the paint. It is advisable that priming with several layers be done to assure that it is well prepared for painting. Gesso is the usual material used for priming canvases of many kinds. However, for classroom use, many times, latex house paint is often an acceptable substitute.
Whether you are painting with oil, water color, or acrylic, you will need to select your canvas type. If you are using an unprimed polyester canvas, you will find that with some materials, this may soak up the paint or make colors bleed. Choosing to use a primed canvas is often a wise choice for artists creating masterpieces to be sold or who are taking their art career seriously. Selecting your canvas material and priming state is an important one that should be thought out before any art making begins. Once you have carefully selected this part of it, you can let the artistic journey begin to flow into the beautiful masterpiece that will be the end result.
