Canvas comes in primed or unprimed form. Primed canvas has already been coated with a primer, such as gesso. ... Using pre-stretched canvas is much easier than stretching your own.

Setting up his pre-primed white canvas in front of his chosen motif, ... (The magpie), 1868-1869, oil on canvas, 121.4 x 164.1 cm. Musée d'Orsay, Paris, France, ©photo Musée d'Orsay / rmn.

Canvas comes in primed or unprimed form. Primed canvas has already been coated with a primer, such as gesso. ... Using pre-stretched canvas is much easier than stretching your own.