How do you paint on calico fabric?

Answer 1

HOW TO OIL PAINT ON CALICO FABRIC

Calico makes a wonderful surface on which to paint as it has a nice tooth and a beautiful surface quality yet is not as coarse as canvas or duck fabric. I recommend wrapping your calico around hardboard or masonite cut to your dimensions and notstretching it over a wooden stretcher (as you would with canvas) as generally the calico is not strong enough and you risk tearing. Here's what to do:

1.) Cut a piece of calico fabric approximately 2-inches larger all the way around than your hardboard or masonite.

2.) Coat your calico with gesso or latex paint, place your hardboard on the coated calico, and wrap your edges to the back of the board. Your gesso or latex will "glue" the calico to your board.

3.) On front and working from center outwards, use your hands or a damp sponge to press out any air bubbles from under the surface of the calico.

4.) Over 3 days, apply 3 coats of gesso or latex, and allow 24 hours drying time between coats. Coat both sides of your board or else your board will warp. When perfectly dry, your calico is ready to paint on.