30/09/2026
How to prime your canvas with Schmincke Primer 2:
1. Choose a primer (depending on which painting technique you intend to use). For example, Schmincke Primer 2 if you plan to paint on the canvas with acrylics.
2. Shake well before use.
3. Apply a bit of the primer to your canvas and spread it out with a brush (the brush should not be too soft if you want a smooth finish).
4. Finally, smooth the primer out using criss-cross brush strokes.
5. Leave this layer to dry for a few hours.
6. Now repeat steps 2–5 until you’re happy with the surface of your canvas (we recommend a total of 2–4 thin layers).
7. Let your canvas dry before you start painting (we recommend a minimum drying time of 24 hours).
Good to know:
• Schmincke Primer 2 is opaque, light-resistant, non-aging and can be tinted with acrylic colours.
• If you want to apply the primer with a palette knife (which is also possible) cracks may appear if the layer is too thick (we recommend pretests).
• For extremely absorbent surfaces (e.g. natural canvas), an impregnating agent or pre-primer should be applied first.
Advantages of priming your canvas:
• The paint attaches better to the canvas, making your painting more durable.
• Priming helps to smooth out the canvas texture.
• If you always use the same primer, you’ll always have the same surface properties and the same painting conditions.
Do you need to prime canvases that have already been primed?
No, if you buy a canvas that’s already been primed, you don’t necessarily need to prime it again.
However, as mentioned earlier, doing so has the advantage of ensuring you always have the same surface properties and, consequently, the same conditions for painting (assuming you always use the same primer!).
