Gesso is a primer used in painting to prepare surfaces like canvas, wood, or paper for painting.
Here's how you typically use it:
- Prepare your surface: Make sure your surface is clean and free from dust or any other debris. If it's a wooden surface, you might want to sand it to smooth out rough patches lightly.
- Apply gesso: Using a brush or a roller, apply gesso evenly onto the surface. You can apply multiple coats if needed, allowing each coat to dry completely before applying the next one. This helps create a smooth and solid base for your paint to adhere to.
- Sand between coats (optional): If you want an extra smooth surface, you can lightly sand the surface between coats of gesso. This helps remove any imperfections and creates an even texture.
- Let it dry: Allow the gesso to dry completely before starting your painting. The drying time can vary depending on factors like humidity and the number of coats applied, so make sure to check the manufacturer's instructions.
- Painting: Once the gesso is dry, you can start painting on the primed surface using your preferred painting medium, whether it's acrylics, oils, watercolors, etc. The gesso provides a stable and absorbent surface for your paints, allowing for better adhesion and longevity of your artwork.
Using gesso not only prepares your surface for painting but also helps prevent the paint from seeping into the surface, which can affect the color and texture of your artwork over time.