Gesso

Gesso

Gesso is a white paint mixture consisting of a binder mixed with chalk, gypsum, pigment, or any combination of these. It is used in artwork as a preparation for any number of substrates such as wood panels, canvas and sculpture as a base for paint and other materials that are applied over it. Gesso is traditionally used in painting as an initial layer over a canvas or other surface that serves to seal and prime the surface, providing the ground for subsequent layers of paint. The gesso layer can be sanded or textured to create a desired surface quality before painting. The term gesso is derived from the Italian word gesso, which means chalk or plaster. Historically, gesso was made by mixing gypsum or chalk with glue, water, and white pigment. Modern acrylic gesso is made of titanium dioxide or calcium carbonate with an acrylic polymer medium latex, a pigment and other chemicals that ensure flexibility, and increase archival life. Gesso can be colored, but is most commonly found in white. It is applied with a brush or a palette knife, and the surface is allowed to dry completely before applying paint. Gesso provides a barrier between the paint and the substrate, which is especially important when painting on canvas, as it protects the fibers of the canvas from the deteriorating effects of oils found in oil paint. In addition to its use in painting, gesso is also used in sculpture to prepare the surface for painting or gilding, and in fresco painting to prepare the wall surface.

Primer, Acrylic, Canvas, Ground

— John Armstrong

CITATION : "John Armstrong. 'Gesso.' Design+Encyclopedia. https://design-encyclopedia.com/define/gesso?E=434190 (Accessed on October 13, 2026)"