Linen
 

Unable to get linen locally, I recently ordered a "Yarka, triple primed, portrait grade canvas" from Dick Blick. Ordinarily, with standard cotton I would gesso and sand a few times. This linen seems so yummy right out of the box, I'm wondering if I need to do anything to it. I know there is linen experience out there. Any comments?

You don't need to do a thing to any primed surface unless you want to....it is OK to start painting if it passes the following test:

Hold the canvas up to a strong light and if you see little "pinholes" you will need to gesso the surface with as many layers as it takes to fill them in.

This doesn't happen often, but if you mistakenly begin a painting on a surface with pinholes, it can be a nightmare.

Thanks Karin, I guess you treat it like any other canvas. They all say they are primed but it must be a pretty watery soup. This linen looks very nice and smooth. Unlike the cotton that I am used to. Even the "ultra smooth" portrait grade cotton is to grainy for me. I have to glop on at least 3 coats of gesso. I can't wait to try it out this linen. Thanks again.

How about book cover linen?
 

I have never used linen before. There is a source for book cover linen which is about $32 a running yard (48" rool). Can I use that if I gesso it?

Some suggestions
 

If you are looking for un-primed linen you can get some pretty decent Belgium linen from Utrecht Linens in New York via mail order. They have a nice portrait linen, very smooth and fine weave, type 66J at 9 oz. 54

In the past I have ordered the most beautiful linen throught the ASOPA. It has been available in single or double oil primed, and in several different weaves. Call or email Jennifer at ASOPA for current info. A roll lasts me for several years.

I am posting a detail of one of a pair of double portraits, as I hope that the characteristeics and qualities of this linen will show up in the image. (Oddly I seem to use pastel like oil, and oil like pastel. It is a constant battle in the desire to use more paint, as Karin says!). Somehow I always seem to get sidetracked with the beauty of the surface itself. So no more apologies.

Thank you Raffaelle and Chris. I am such a newbie to the real world of art. I am like a little polywog who is getting advice from the big frogs.

I don't know what ASOPA is. Could it be, "Art Stuff Of Portrait Artists" or something? (Hee hee)

Man, your work is lovely.

NO, don't do it. You really don't know what material and binders (maybe it is not really "linen") go into products never intended to hold paint.

If you wish to sell your work, you need to see that your art materials are always "archival" quality and in this business, remember, "chemistry" counts.