First, I be sure the stretcher made of wood bars is square !

Then,  I choose a piece of mixed polyester and linen. Sometimes, I choose a piece of 100% cotton (softer to the touch) I appreciate the rough teeth of polyester and linen, although it will require numerous coats of primer.

 I cut the cloth  leaving enough on each side

Stretch the linen with a stretcher plyer and a staple gun (well,  my other hand held the camera !) It is a science, lot's of care is given to that  task to ensure a great tight canvas. Must sound like a drum when completed after a good hour of that streneous job.

 I apply a first coat of acrylic sealer Marin N°33, to obtur the surface and glue the weaved fiber. The cloth will tighten dramatically, eventually, especially for big sizes one, a wood stretcher can implode under the strenght of that process, due to the shrinking of the cloth when wet.

 After the first coat of sealer has dried, the linen get less tight. It is necessary to take out all the stapples, and stretche the cloth all over again, tighter.

 A first coat of Gesso, a white primer from Marin. It has the texture of white cheese, and must be worked in a container to become fluid.

 2 coats are necessary, the first  diluted at 10% with water.

Applying first coat gradation of blue shades for the sky, on top of 3 coats of white primer, and wearing an outrageous shirt.