1. * PRESENTS * Julia Passamonti-Colamartino “Artista Straordinaria” venetiancat.com Specializing in the Techniques of the Old Italian and Dutch Masters

2. Priming a Canvas for Oil Painting Preparing a Lead Ground Pt I

3. 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

4. Step 1 Assemble stretchers, adding a drop of Liquid Nails in the corners to secure frame.

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

6. Step 3 Staple the canvas to the back of the frame using only one staple per side.

7. Step 4 Saturate canvas with water. The allows the fabric to shrink before the final stretching. Allow to dry.

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. Canvas is ready for glue size Notice staple placement.

11. 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.

12. The next day… Glue granules have swollen and are ready to be heated in order to liquefy.

13. 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.

14. 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.

15. 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.

16. Step 10 Sand once dry using 150 grit extra fine sandpaper.

17. Part II The Lead Ground Remember: 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.

18. Materials Pt II: Flake White Oil Paint, (formerly known as Lead White) Japan Drier Trowel-Shaped Palette Knife Disposable Palette

19. 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.

20. 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.

21. 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.

22. 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!