What you need to know about gesso

Check out my recent vids on surface prep👩‍🎨 Caption for more details.
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I always size first because I want to create the most permanent, archival painting surface as possible. Also, it means I can be less rigid about the type/depth of primer I use, knowing that the paint & surface are protected from each other with a good sealing layer. But after my video on sizing a few people asked if it’s really necessary to size first before acrylic gesso & the answer is no, as long as you apply enough layers!
(by surface I mean anything you paint on from the traditional wood panel or unprimed canvas to paper, metal or other.)
Gesso is actually absorbent (to varying degrees based on brand and type) & depending on brand it won’t properly seal unless you build it up.
For those who missed my video a size is a couple layers of a sealer (usually PH neutral PVA, acrylic gloss medium, GAC 100, rabbit skin glue, or other acrylic polymer medium) that stops a surface from discolouring acrylics (Support Induced Discolouration or SID) or stops oil paints from corroding the surface. It can also add tension to a stretched canvas. A primer’s job is simply to grip the paint you put on top & make sure it stays bonded to the surface over time. A size & primer serve 2 different purposes but in this case one product can be both if applied properly.

[@yibuseato]

Can you explain what a ground is, when it comes to oil painting? How does it differ from a gesso/primer? thanks! your content is a wealth of info!!!!!

[@dorisroseart]

Haha you literally guessed the subject of my next video lol. I’ll give u a spoiler 😝 basically to prepare a painting surface it has to have a size, a primer, and a ground. A size protects the paint and the surface (aka wood/canvas etc) from each other. A primer helps grip the paint and bond the paint to the surface, and the ground is the final surface you paint on - basically what the paint touches. An artist might change the texture using a medium, the colour (eg a toned ground), or the absorbency etc to prepare their ground. It’s confusing because something like acrylic gesso (if applied properly) can be a size, primer, and ground all in one. That, and the fact u can paint using any type of paint on top, is why it’s so popular. Essentially some primers and grounds may be one or more of the size/primer/ground trio so it’s good to check the instruction or advice about what u use to prep your surface. Hope this helps 🤗

[@SJ-dl6uc]

​@@dorisrosearttysm

[@johnaitken7430]

I usually sand slightly once hard…any thoughts?I think it’s a style thing as I use very thin passes

[@dorisroseart]

Yes, I think it’s really down to your preference. I sand between layers or wait to the end to sand :)

[@shubhanshrana3061]

Hey I wanted to ask if I need to wait for my acrylic gesso to fully cure if I’m using oil paints over it like we do when we need to layer oil over acrylic paints or I can start painting over it once the gesso is touch dry
Also wanted to thank you for your advice and tips are really helping me grow as a painter

[@dorisroseart]

Thank you!! 🤗 yes, unfortunately if you use oils over the gesso it’s the same as oil over acrylic & you need to wait for the acrylic gesso to fully cure. I’d wait about a month before painting on top.

[@shubhanshrana3061]

@@dorisroseart thank you sm

[@RealJoker-ny5mm]

I ordered artina white gesso its so much think its comes running quality does is good or i should return it i don't know know about the gesso too much

[@dorisroseart]

Gesso tends to be a different texture/thickness with each brand. If it’s a brand new gesso it should be ok but you may prefer a different texture in which case you could try a different brand. Gesso does tend to have a thicker texture than acrylic paint so if it’s thinner than that it may be an issue with the gesso.

[@azalia_moon]

Hello! Do you need to wet your canvas before the gesso? Also is it a must to sand it?

[@dorisroseart]

No I don’t wet the canvas before the gesso. I some people dilute the gesso but I just apply it straight. Also sanding is def not a must. It’s basically a personal preference. The more u sand the smoother the surface which will be good for creating details but you will loose some of the grip or tooth that comes with more texture so it’s absolutely up to you & many people don’t do any sanding.

[@cmt635]

Can I use acrylic gesso on furniture as a primer for my acrylic paint ?

[@dorisroseart]

I’m not sure - It depends on what the furniture is made of & what kind of finishes/stains/paint are on it.