How to gesso stretched raw linen?

[Garth Herrick]

Dear Linda,

I'm not a particular expert here so hopefully someone else will chime in. I had always used the rabbit skin glue method of sizing linen. You need a double boiler, measure carefully, and follw instructions, but it's not that hard to do.

The PVA solution should do the same job of sizing right out of the bottle. I bought a bottle of Gamblin's PVA size, but have not actually used it yet.

At any rate, let the canvas dry from the sizing before applying an oil ground.

If you apply the lead ground with a knife or large painting spatula, I don't see where a sanding of layers would be necessary. The knife should apply the ground smoothly enough.

Winsor and Newton alkyd primer is thixotropic, so any brushing settles into a nice smooth surface. It also dries overnight.

OK, some expert should chime in now!

Garth