INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Sending a message through social media is usually welcomed among people you haven't seen in a while. It doesn't put them on the spot when talking to you. It gives them a chance to think about what you've said, and time to formulate a response. Contacting them through social media also allows them to look at your own social media account. This can help bring them up to speed about you and your life if if they have trouble recalling who you are. Compose a quick and casual email, if you find their address. Again, writing an email gives them time to decide what they are going to say and if they are going to take you up on your offer. Talking to a person on the phone may make them feel like they have to say yes to you, even if they don't really want to. In the email you could say, "Hi! I hope you're doing well; it's been a long time! I've been thinking about how we used to have so much fun together and thought it would be nice to catch up with you sometime." This type of greeting gives them the opportunity to reach back out to you, if they feel comfortable doing so. It is also general and non-threatening, so they may feel more apt to accept your invitation. People aren't usually too far away from their phones. Additionally, text messages are a common and preferred method of communication these days. Saying something short and quick is casual, and doesn't put too much pressure on the recipient. In the text you could say, "Hey! How are you? We should get dinner soon!" Use the phone to get in touch if you can't use the other methods or are more comfortable with this way. Getting a hold of them like this may help you to make more of a connection, as it is more personal. The person may appreciate you reaching them out to them in this manner. Be sure to leave a message if the phone isn't answered. People tend to screen their calls, especially if they are unsure of the number calling them.

SUMMARY: Send a message through social media. Write an email. Text them. Give them a call.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: There's no set amount of water that you'll need to add. Instead, scoop the primer into the bucket or cup that you'll be using to hold it. Then, add a little bit of water at a time while stirring the gesso and continue adding water until it has the consistency of a heavy cream. Your gesso will probably be really thick, so it's important to dilute it to make it easier to apply and smooth out. It's better to shoot for too little water rather than too much, since if you add too much water to your gesso, your only choice is to start this process over. Go from the top of the canvas to the bottom, stroking parallel to the length of the canvas. Cover the canvas completely while also spreading the primer as evenly and thinly as possible. Try to create as flat a surface as possible with the gesso. For best results, use a stiff brush with relatively firm fibers. If your canvas is pretty big, you can also use a roller brush instead. Be sure to paint the edges of the canvas as well; these can sometimes be hard to hit with just vertical strokes. Gesso doesn't take long to dry, but give it at least an hour to completely dry for best results. Use fine sandpaper to give your gesso a once-over and give it a smooth texture moving forward. If you don't want your canvas to have a smooth texture, you can choose to skip this part. Be sure to brush off the dust from your canvas after you sand the gesso. While the gesso is drying, take this time to clean off your brush. If you leave the gesso on the bristles for too long, it will be very difficult to remove. When you go to apply this second coat of gesso, be sure to turn the canvas 90 degrees first. This way, when you apply the primer with vertical strokes, these strokes will be perpendicular to the ones you used for the first coat. Using perpendicular strokes will make the finish of your texture much more even. You can apply as many coats of primer as you like, but most people choose to apply 2 for a smoother texture. Just 1 coat of gesso will give your canvas a relatively rougher finish. For best results, give your second coat an hour to dry before you go to sand it. Use very light pressure and short back-and-forth motions to avoid scraping off too much of the gesso. Be sure to remove the dust from your canvas after you sand it. Once you've finished sanding the gesso, your canvas is ready to be painted on!

SUMMARY:
Stir your primer and add a touch of water to it to dilute it. Use a wide brush to apply the gesso in vertical strokes. Allow this first coat to dry, then lightly sand it to smooth it out. Repeat these steps to apply a second coat using perpendicular strokes. Sand the gesso after it's dried for a smoother surface.