I've begun singing the praises of polyester canvas as an alternative to the traditional linen and cotton supports. While there are "blends" of polyester/cotton available from art suppliers, I'm referring to the STRAIGHT POLYESTER - not a blend. I recently bought a small roll to give it a try, and after finishing two paintings - one oil and one acrylic - on polyester, I will never again buy either linen or cotton. I love the very even smooth weave of the polyester, and the fact that it stretches - literally - drum tight and STAYS drum tight throughout the painting session and afterward. It is not affected by heat or humidity as linen and cotton are and does not absorb moisture, swell or shrink as they do.

After some trial and error, I've decided that for my purposes, I'll prime the polyester with a very watery acrylic primer sold for that purpose - although I've long used a commercial acrylic varnish that is the same consistency as the primer sold by art suppliers. I am referring specifically to the brand MINWAX and their POLYCRILIC VARNISH. It's a lot more economical to buy a gallon of the latter, which I also use as a varnish for my many craft projects.

This very watery varnish ( or the primer ) thoroughly saturate the canvas in one application - if applied liberally.

I let the primer dry - which is just a couple of hours in my arid climate. Then I apply the first layer of "acrylic gesso." I do not sand between coats of gesso, nor after the final coat. I usually stop with two coats of gesso.

Having prepared my canvas with the acrylic gesso, I am ready to paint in either oils or acrylics or virtually any other medium one might choose to use.