Artist Paint Primer & Sealer

Oil Primer

Oil primer tends to dry to a rather sleek finish. It therefore allows the paint to slide smoothly across the surface. This means that it is good to use with oil paints, but it should not be used with acrylic paints or watercolour paints as it takes longer to dry and therefore might disrupt the structure of your paint surface.

Acrylic Primer

Unlike oil primer, acrylic primer can be applied directly to the raw natural fibres or canvas surface. Indeed, if you are an oil painter, you might well want to consider using an acrylic primer, as you will not need to use a size, and indeed will not need so much of it to create a bright white surface. As it is so versatile, it is well worth you keeping some in your art studio supplies, and we have a great selection of acrylic primer here for you to choose from.

Gesso Primer

Gesso Primer is slightly more absorbent than acrylic primer, and it has a slight tooth / texture. This means that it needs to be sanded down if you are to create a smooth white surface. If you are looking to create watercolour-type effects with acrylic or oil paint, then this will be the primer to use.

Watercolour Primer

If you are a watercolour artist, then you will need a primer that is going to make your surface significantly absorbent for this paint to have its effect. This is where your watercolour primer comes into action. Layers of watercolour primer will allow your natural surface to be as effectively absorbent as watercolour paper might be.

Pastel Primer

Pastel primer is great because it can be applied to so many surfaces, including all types of paper, canvas, card, ply, plastic, glass, timber, ceramic or even metal. Apply it with a brush, sponge, roller, or even straight from the tin, and you will have yourself an ideal base for pastel use in no time. It is indeed a nice and quick preparation process, as pastel primer tends to be quick drying.

Artist Size & Sealer

If you are painting with oils, you will also need to apply a 'size' to the canvas before you begin, so as to stop the oil paint from seeping into the natural fibres and causing rot later down the line. We have a great collection of artist size and sealer to choose from, so you will not need to worry about your oil damaging the fibres below your surface.