Q: You use an acrylic gesso/ modeling paste ground, on store bought canvas. How do you feel about traditional glue/ marble dust/ chalk grounds on a canvas you stretch and prime yourself? This has always been a problem for me. I like the smooth texture of a canvas that has lots of gesso smoothed down so that the canvas texture is gone. However when I make a glue gesso and lay it on thick it cracks almost every other time. Any clues? I like it because it is sandable, but it is brittle and doesn't have any flexability. On the other hand acrylic gesso feels rubbery and seems impossible to smooth. It also seems to crack if I put it on thick or in multiple layers. What I need to know is whether it is better to lay down the ground in a few thick coats or several thin coats? Should the layers be thoroughly dry before the next coat or somewhat damp. I have read the classical material on this and tried different variations but none that give consistant results. I would so like to paint on a polished smooth surface with no defects to haunt me throughout the painting. I tried the gesso/modelingpaste mixture you use and couldn't remove the the remnant texture with razor blade. Whats the trick? Just scrape more and longer? It feels rubbery and definitely is not sandable(I realize that you recommend against sand paper and your advice is sound. I have never tried the scraping method and may not realize that it takes time. About how long should it take to smooth out the canvas?) Any advice on this is appreciated.

A: Probably you have you have wrong proportion of gesso to modelling paste or you have wrong kind of modelling paste."Rubbery" is because of exceess of acrilic medium . Try to use instead of modelling paste the powder gesso, in order to decrease the rubbery. Adding water will add some sandability

Q:I had never used an onion before and wonder if the painting needs to be washed clean after the onion is applied.

A: you don't have to.

Q:I tried it without washing and it worked like a charm. This had always been a issue and I am glad to have a solution to the paint not sticking problem. Have you ever used mastic in your medium. I recently read about it and have never tried it. Any advice?

A:Better if you will work with Damar Varnish.

Q:I am having a difficult time finding some of the supplies you have mentioned on your tape please send me an email if you can telling me where i can purchase the pearwood pallete and brushes.

A:the [pallete of pearwood is custom made, very little chance that you can find it in the store. You can use instead any dark kind of wood pallete. I personally order brushes from Jerry's catalog, ph.# 1-800-u-artist

Q:I would like to ask a question regarding to oil priming canvas. Since I prefer to use this type of canvas I 'd like to know if I can get the same result with this method and if I do . How many times should I prime it ?

A:If you are asking about priming with oil gesso, process will be basically the same. Only drying period between layers will increase from 1 to 3 weeks depending on a climate where you live. Warmer climate- faster drying. If you talking about Flake White priming with certain skill you can do it in one layer. The process of scrabbing the canvas with round corner razor blade is applicable in any condition. I with you success.

Q:Also, does the lavender oil delay the drying of the painting medium? I find that it gets very sticky very fast. Am I using too much medium and too little paint?

A: I am talking about only one drop of lavender oil. Working mixture is supposed to be very light, what means that it is very little varnish in terpentine.

Q: Is the canvas commerciallyprimed or just untouched 100% cottonbefore you prime it?

A:In the video canvas is commercially primed.

Q: We don'tseem to have the colors you askedfor in Canada : - Red ochre, Perminent Madder Deep,( is that Perm. red madder deep?),Chinese vermillion extra & Extra fineIndian Yellow. Is there other colorsI can use till I can get the right ones?The rest of the colors I have.

A:Red ochre is kind of English red light, could be also in different languages as Ochre rouge, Roter ocker, Rode oker. You will probably find it if you look in some art materials catalogues. It is very popular pigment. Permanent madder deep (it is red burgundy color). Chinese vermillion extra is produced by Rembrandt company as far as I know. Extra fine Indian Yellow made by Holbein (Japan) ,could be replaced by some Extra Fine transparance Yellow pigments.

Q: Will you be working on more videos in the near future, I am very seriousabout my art and plan on continuing yourteachings if at all possible.I agree with your opinions 100% and Ithank you for your help.Greatfully,

A:I will definitely be working on other video workshops and will let you know.