- 1). Buy a container of gesso for acrylic or oil paint, depending on which you want to use. Shake the jar well before opening the gesso. Make sure you have all your supplies ready. The gesso will dry quickly once you begin to use it.
- 2). Take four wooden stretchers, either store-bought or handmade, and lay them down on the table with the corners touching. The stretchers fit together like a wooden picture frame and will be used to stretch your canvas over. They will have grooves so they can fit together without nails. Tap the corners together with a rubber mallet if needed.
- 3). Stretch the canvas out over the top of the frame and pull it tightly. Start with one side, and use a staple gun to staple it to the back of the frame. Pull it in the opposite direction as tightly as possible. When it can no longer stretch, staple it to that side as well. Continue on the other two sides to finish stretching the canvas.
- 4). Apply gesso with a paintbrush in large quantities to the canvas. Work quickly before it dries. Once your first coat is on, continue to apply as many coats as necessary. Apply one for a rough finish, and two or three for a smooth finish. Make sure to use a high-quality paintbrush to avoid getting any paintbrush hairs in the gesso. Allow the canvas to dry, and it is ready to for use.
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