Painting is an enjoyable hobby whether
you do it for show or personal reasons. However, the materials required to
paint can become expensive, especially gesso. Gesso is used to prepare surfaces
for painting, including canvases. It's considered a primer that helps to smooth
out your work surface and ensure that the paint doesn't soak into your canvas.
Likewise, it can be used as a glue for collages and creating thicker canvases
from cardboard, etc.
The Gesso Recipe
The gesso recipe featured can be used for both acrylic and oil
paints, as well as any other paint. This gesso recipe makes approximately two
quarts, which can be stored for up to six weeks if not needed immediately.
The homemade gesso recipe starts with a plaster mix. You'll need
one cup of hot water, one cup of glue (white or PVA), and one cup of plaster
powder or Plaster of Paris.
You will also require three cups of acrylic or oil paint for
this gesso recipe. White is usually the most common color, but you can choose
any that will complement your work. You'll also need a container to hold the
gesso recipe, a cup that can be discarded, and something with which to mix the
concoction. You may also want a dust mask for safety reasons.
Get all of your ingredients together for the gesso recipe and
put on your dust mask. Place the hot water in your container (that can hold at
least three quarts). Then, you can add the plaster (but do not add the water to
the plaster because it could blow up in the face). Next, measure out and add
the glue, stirring to combine.
Once the gesso recipe is mixed, you can add the white paint and
mix once more.
The Results
While this homemade gesso recipe may not be an exact match to a
commercial gesso recipe, it should produce similar results. Likewise, you may
only require one coat with this gesso recipe, though you can add as many layers
as necessary.
After applying the gesso recipe, you will wait until it dries.
Then, you can sand down the dried gesso recipe, wipe it off and apply more of
the gesso recipe until the canvas looks right. However, it's important to
remember to let the gesso dry on the canvas before sanding and priming again.
You will finish up with a slightly chalky, ready-to-paint canvas.
