- What is Gesso? Well, gesso is a primer, a preparatory coating applied to a material before painting. It protects both the surface and the paint making the paint stick better to a surface as well as making the surface sturdier.
- Gesso adds tooth to the surface which adds textures and to the adhesiveness of a surface. It was originally made with animal glue and other various ingredients, but now is (acrylic gesso) “a combination of calcium carbonate with acrylic polymer medium latex, a pigment and other chemicals…” (Wikipedia). Titanium white (or T. dioxide) is usually the pigment added to the gesso ingredients to create white gesso.
- Acrylic gesso is the modern version of gesso which is often used with both acrylic and oils. In general, it’s not as dense as paint, but creates a thick surface. It help keeps moisture from soaking and weakening the surface. It’s not a requirement in painting and other things that gesso can be useful with, but the extra strength it gives surfaces as well as the added texture and absorbency can be a rewarding enough reason for consideration of applying it.
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http://www.aisling.net/journaling/gesso.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gesso
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Primer_%28paint%29
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http://members.cox.net/kellyshults/images/WC-B.jpg
http://emptyeasel.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/06/liquidgesso.jpg
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