Gamblin PVA SIZE 33.8 FL OZ

This is a substitute for rabbit skin glue that was used by the master renaissance oil painters. It helps protect canvas and linen from moisture ruining the canvas and is the first step in priming a fabric surface for oil painting. You can easily and quickly brush on two coats in one day. It dries pretty fast so just let it dry and then put on another coat. I think four coats is officially recommended and I have seen other artists use just three. One tip is to use the brush at an angle to get the fabric to soak in and fill in with the pva. Also good to do at least one coat on the back as well. To clean wash brush with soap and water after. Also, I highly recommend buying Gamblin Oil Ground (Oil Painters Gesso) as well to add after pva dries as a "gesso" foundation and for blocking absorption of your oil paint into canvas. This will help create a brighter and flatter surface for you to paint on especially if you are painting fine details. You can also use regular acrylic-based gesso before the oil ground (between this pva and the oil ground) if want to control more of your foundation for texture, etc.

PVA leaves the canvas limp. According to the Smithsonian , despite the hygroscopic properties of RSG its overall properties (ie stiffening the canvas) make it the best option. Just not there yet.

I paint on large scale wood panel and this is the only size I will use. Love it.

I have been using this product for years to size papers for photographic alternative processes. All I can gather is that the people that have givin it poor reviews don’t know how it is intended to be used.

Good stuff, although it does run out very quickly. Can't really go wrong with Gamblin. Their customer service is good too.