Description

PVA Size on Canvas:
Use any style of brush to scrub PVA Size into your canvas. You can apply PVA Size before or after stretching.

A single coat of PVA Size on the front of the canvas is usually sufficient for application. If the canvas has a very open weave showing many pinholes when held up to the light, apply PVA Size to both the front and back.

If you are stretching your canvas before applying PVA Size, ensure that canvas is stretched evenly and tightly. PVA Size will tighten a stretched canvas initially when wet but may relax somewhat once dry. PVA size will not result in any dramatic difference in the tightness of the canvas like rabbit skin glue.

For very large dimension stretched canvas or when using lightweight linen, apply PVA Size first prior to stretching. Lightweight canvas on larger stretchers can buckle and/or wrinkle on the stretcher frame when dry. Heavier weight canvas has less of a tendency to buckle or loosen.

Soap and water can be used to clean brushes after application of PVA Size.

PVA Size on Paper:
There are papers which are already sized and designed for oil painting. Heavy water media papers like watercolor, mixed-media and some printmaking papers may be used for oil painting once properly treated. Gamblin PVA Size can be used as a sealant for that purpose. The appearance of most papers are changed very little once the PVA Size is completely dry.

Only the side of the paper to be painted on with oil colors requires sealing with PVA Size. To limit wrinkling, some papers may require taping down to a rigid panel before applying PVA Size. Allow the sized paper to dry completely before removing the tape. Most paper will require 2 coats of PVA Size. Allow all moisture to evaporate out of freshly sized paper (about 24 hours) before applying Oil Ground and/or Artists Oil Colors.

Painting on PVA Size alone:
PVA Size can be used on its own as your ground without the use of a white or colored primer over the size.

This can be used when a painter wants to allow the natural color and look of the canvas or paper to show through in parts of their oil painting. Although PVA Size is not itself a ground, it may be used in lieu of a white covering primer to protect canvas from the acidity of oil colors.

In these scenarios you should apply two applications of PVA Size to help reduce the absorbency of your canvas. PVA Size is formulated to go on very thinly without filling in the natural texture of the canvas.