When painting on canvas, you should paint on the primed side.
Here's a breakdown to help clarify:
Understanding Canvas Sides
- Primed Side: This is the side of the canvas that has been treated with a coating (usually gesso). This coating provides a suitable surface for paint to adhere to properly. It prevents the paint from soaking into the canvas fabric and creates a smoother surface.
- Unprimed Side: This is the bare canvas fabric. Painting on this side will likely result in the paint soaking in unevenly, leading to a less-than-ideal result.
How to Identify the Primed Side
- Visually: The primed side usually has a slightly smoother and whiter appearance compared to the unprimed side, which may be rougher and have a more natural fabric color.
- By Feel: The primed side will often feel smoother and less textured than the unprimed side.
Painting on Different Surfaces
While the question focuses on canvas, the reference also mentions watercolor painting.
- Canvas: As previously stated, always paint on the primed side of a canvas.
- Watercolor Paper: For watercolor, the reference states to "use the side that has the texture that you wish to use." Different watercolor papers have various textures, and your preference will determine which side to paint on.
Key Takeaway
The most important thing is to paint on the surface that has been prepared for that specific medium. For canvas, that is the primed side.
