Reddit reviews Value-Pack 10-Pc Foam Paint Brush Set - Wood Handles by Industrial Tools

Of course! All those canvases usually say they are “primed” which means gessoed HOWEVERRRRR once you do it yourself you’re gonna be like “what are they even talking about this canvas isn’t prepped at all” lmao. I was shook in college when I learned all this stuff. A good one is Liquitex gesso. You can honestly just buy the gallon of it if you end up liking it. It’ll last foreverrrrr

Gesso: Liquitex Professional White Gesso Surface Prep Medium, 32-oz (5332) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000KNPLXI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_6OUBCbYGG08ZG

Brushes: Value-Pack 10-Pc Foam Paint Brush Set - Wood Handles by Industrial Tools https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003UHJDAS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_WPUBCb9GYJ791

Sand paper: Sanding Sponge,Coarse/Medium/Fine/Superfine 4 Different Specifications Sanding Blocks Assortment,Washable and Reusable. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0752VGHG6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_rQUBCbQ2295YF

And then eventualllllllyyyyy, way off in the future:

Stanley Hand Tools 20-600 Clamping Miter Box & Saw https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0791J472B/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_uUUBCbAX7GEM0

Stanley TR45K Light Duty Staple Gun Kit https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000NIFL80/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_xVUBCb1HTF3N9

Art Alternatives Canvas Pliers 8in https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004MASEW0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_9XUBCbJF0J5ZC

Nasco 1100424 Fine Arts Unprimed Cotton Canvas Roll, 6 yds x 62" https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00EJSJKFK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_hZUBCb3PN5W7Y

Also, occasionally I like to go to a thrift store, find a wacky printed dress or dress shirt, and stretch that over a wood frame. For that, or if you paint on wood, you can use clear gesso (my personal favvyyyyy as I almost always paint on wood and looooove wood grain to be incorporated into my paintings...or on canvas stretched over wooden boards)

Using a sponge like that, or a sponge brush like this, is basically the same as wiping on poly. The difference between 'regular' polyurethane and wipe-on polyurethane is that the wipe-on stuff is diluted thinner, so that it flows better. You still end up using a sponge brush or rag or something like that to apply the wipe-on, it's just a bit thinner than the regular stuff. You can also make your own wipe-on poly out of the regular stuff by thinning it some with mineral spirits/white spirit/paint thinner (whatever it's called where you are).

Wipe-on poly mostly just makes for thinner coats, which means it takes more coats to get to the same thickness, but it flows better to create a smoother surface when you apply it.

Sponge brushes possibly?

http://www.amazon.com/Value-Pack-10-Pc-Foam-Paint-Brush/dp/B003UHJDAS/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1425194682&sr=8-3&keywords=sponge+brush

Is it picking up the paint?

It should dry normal. I prefer a [sponge brush] (https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B003UHJDAS/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1466629896&sr=8-4&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=sponge+brush&dpPl=1&dpID=41KgQ9CCXOL&ref=plSrch#immersive-view_1466629906346), but have used a regular painting brush a gazillion times as well.

It should dry clear. Give it time. It may look foggy while drying. If you brush TOO much, it may also dry foggy. But you really have to brush it a lot to end up with a fog. Just slap it on and let it dry.

When drying, keep the canvas at a slight tilt to avoid puddles. (totally should have mentioned that above, my bad) just prop something small (the corner of a book will do) under one corner so that it's not drying on an entirely flat surface.

You can always apply a second & third coat. But just allow it time to dry in between!!

ALSO
If you live in a relatively humid area, allow more time for everything to dry!!

1.) Cut your paper pattern to just a little bit bigger than your surface. I got my paper from paper source

2.) Put down a thin layer of mod podge using a sponge brush. Make sure to cover the entire surface. I use matte, but you can use glossy or whatever you want

3.) put the paper down on the mod podge, being careful not to let air bubble develop

4.) push down the edges, but if they don't stick at this point it's not a big deal

5.) Let it dry for like 30-40 minutes

6.) When it's dry, use an exacto knife to trim the edge to your surface's dimensions. It's very important that the underlying glue already be dry because trying to cut it when it's still wet can tear the paper

7.) If the edges aren't totally glued down at this point, use a small sponge brush to touch them up and let them dry for 30-40 minutes

8.) Finally, with the paper glued down and cut to shape, use sponge brush to spread a thin layer of mod podge across the surface, making sure to spread it evenly. If you use a regular brush, your finish is going to get a much more textured feel to it, so that's why I prefer sponges. Let dry for 1 hour or more depending on how thick you applied the finish