To prime a canvasCanvas is a heavy woven fabric, made of linen or heavy cotton. It is the preferred painting surface for many artists using oil or acrylic... or other surface is to make it suitable for paintingPainting is the practice of applying paint or other media to a surface, usually with a brush. An art object made using paint (noun). upon by providing a white base that gives the right amount of absorbency. Priming is done with primer, a white coating known as ground. Canvases can be bought ready primed