Gesso is a medium used to prepare surfaces for painting, making them less absorbent and smoother. It is a substance that can be purchased or made at home, and it is useful in a lot of different ways in artwork. Here are some of the uses of gesso:
-
Priming surfaces: Gesso prepares (or "primes") the surface for painting, making the surface slightly textured and ready to accept acrylic paint. Without gesso, the paint would soak into the weave of the canvas.
-
Enhancing colors: Not only will paint sit better on a well-primed surface, but colors will appear more vibrant.
-
Increasing lifespan of artwork: With a solid foundation in place, the lifespan of artwork is increased.
-
Fixing mistakes: Gesso can be used to cover up mistakes in paintings or projects that are not liked as much as hoped.
-
Adding texture: Extra layers of gesso can be added to primed or unprimed canvases to add texture.
-
Making surfaces less absorbent: Gesso can be used to protect and enhance surfaces such as canvas, paper, wood, and board, making them less absorbent and smoother.
Gesso is recommended for artists who paint on canvas or wood, even if the surface is pre-primed. It is also useful for adding texture to surfaces and fixing mistakes in paintings.
