Available in 16 or 32 oz jars, the gesso usually costs between
Painting is damned difficult – you always think you’ve got it, but you haven’t. (Paul Cezanne)
Thomas G.Greaves
Paint is my blood, I have no option.
http://theartofthomasgreaves.blogspot.com/.70 to For this post, four black gessoes were tested and analyzed for ease of application, the matte or satin quality, and cost. All the gessoes were quite black, no questions there, but based on its ultra-matte quality and affordable price point, Utrecht Black Artists’ Acrylic Gesso was the top pick. This gesso was the most matte of the gessoes tested, which is a real plus..85 per ounce, making this the second cheapest black gesso tested. It’s a great deal for a top quality product.
How does gesso change the surface of canvas?
I lost my gesso and found it the other day, but forget where I’d tucked it away.
My 2 yr. old g-daughter is faster than a cartoon and gets into select items…anything to do with paint is up her alley, since she is an artist. To gesso or not to gesso…try it both ways on a small painting and see what you like the best, if there is indeed a difference. If you wait for answers, you’re not painting and getting experience, are you.
July 15, 2007 at 7:02 pm #1087221
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Now I stand ready to be corrected here…..I might be totally wrong….and if so I shall learn from this thread.
I was always of the belief that gesso was originally formulated to provide a smooth surface of uniform colour for fresco paintings in classical times…and was adopted by early oil painters who were unable to obtain canvasseses or board of uniform texture and quality. It also of course seals the support and prevents valuable pigments being soaked up by its porous nature.
However in this age canvases are uniform and the priming process is sufficient to create an impermeable base.
Oils and acrylics are totally different in their construction. Don’t forget that acrylic paints can be used as an effective adhesive to almost all surfaces [even glass. ] …..you will all know how difficult it is to remove spillages from the smoothest of surfaces.
Of course the paint manufacturers will advise you to use every product that they create….that is their bread and butter.
Although my experience with acrylics is relatively short…I have had none of the problems of adhesion or penetration described here, even though I don’t gesso. If it were still neccessary to gesso primed canvas…then why did they prime it in the first place?
Painting is damned difficult – you always think you’ve got it, but you haven’t. (Paul Cezanne)
Thomas G.Greaves
Paint is my blood, I have no option.
http://theartofthomasgreaves.blogspot.com/
July 15, 2007 at 8:34 pm #1087214
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Modern day gesso in reality is a primer. When gesso was used in oil paintings it was a way to isolate the paint from the ground. Oils will eventually destroy canvas by making it brittle and eating away at the fiber. While canvas does come primed it may not be the desired surface or texture and adding and sanding layers may be a way of smoothing out a surface of using it thick with heavily textured bristle brushes it will give another texture that may be desirable as well. So it isn’t required but in fact can be another tool in the arsenal to get to where you want to go.
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July 15, 2007 at 9:23 pm #1087212
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However in this age canvases are uniform and the priming process is sufficient to create an impermeable base.
Is the priming sufficient to create an impermeable base? In my experience and it is numerous years…it is not
Carol
“Mercifully free of the ravages of intelligence” – Time Bandits[/color]
Moderator: Acrylic Forum
My websites: Discoveries With Colour Adventures in Photography[/B]
July 15, 2007 at 11:33 pm #1087217
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If you don’t like the texture of the weave in your canvas – gesso can be spread thickly to fill the weave and leave a flat surface. Use the edge of an old credit card and make sure you don’t leave ridges. When the gesso dries they will be impossible to remove.
July 16, 2007 at 4:03 am #1087218
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I almost always lay down some gesso on primed canvases (black or white, depending on the specific application). I’m mainly doing it to build texture, though.
howya doin?
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July 16, 2007 at 8:31 pm #1087215
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I only buy primed canvas/canvas board/canvas sheets and never gesso, unless I want a black background to paint on. I’ve never had a problem with the paint going through a canvas or not sticking to it. The canvas you can buy usually seems to have 3 coats on it, which is probably one more than I’d apply, so I’m happy with it. Some people gesso several layers and sand in between to get a really smooth surface. I could not work on that and would not have the time or patience to do this. As far as I can tell it is absolutely not necessary to gesso primed canvas, unless it’s a personal preference to change the surface. In over 10 years I’ve not have had any problems with any pre primed canvas. Maybe there is really crappy product out there, I have yet to come across it. None of my oil paintings have leached through either, at least as far as I can tell. I’d say you’re pretty save with what you get in the store unless you want a different surface. Of course, you can always gesso more w/o causing any damage, though weight will eventually be a problem if you use very large formats and very thick paint.
What is Gesso?
If you are new to acrylics, you may be wondering – what is gesso and why do I need to know about it? Step right up – this page will tell you all about the glories of gesso and how to use it.
Gesso is an important art supply to get your canvas ready for painting. You can buy gesso readymade from any art supply shop. Gesso is very similar to white acrylic paint, only thinner. It dries hard, making the surface more stiff. Gesso prepares (or “primes”) the surface for painting, making the surface slightly textured and ready to accept acrylic paint. Without gesso, the paint would soak into the weave of the canvas.
The word gesso is a noun, but many artists also use it as a verb. For example: “You need to gesso your canvas before you paint.”
The beauty of gesso is that you can apply it to nearly any surface, and then you can paint on that surface with acrylic paint. For example, you can apply a layer or two of gesso to vinyl records, rubber duckies, or cigar boxes, and voila – you can now paint on that object with acrylics! What fun. The possibilities are endless!
Different types of gesso
Gesso is traditionally white, but nowadays you can also buy black, clear gesso and colored gesso readymade (these link to Blick Art Materials, and if you make a purchase I get a small commission that helps support this site). You can also tint your gesso to make any color you want. Just mix a little acrylic paint to the gesso, and you’ve got some tinted gesso!
There are two different grades of gesso: Artist grade and Student grade. The difference between the two amounts to the different ratios of pigment vs. filler. The Student grade is cheaper because it contains more filler than the Artist grade. Artist grade has more pigment than Student grade, making it thicker and more opaque. These differences are reflected in the price, and also in the quality. Student grade is usually available only in white, but as mentioned earlier, you can add acrylic paint to the gesso to make it more pigmented.
The consistency and texture of gesso will vary from brand to brand. Some are more liquidy and others are more thick. Some apply more smoothly and others leave a more textured, toothy surface. You’ll have to experiment with different brands to find the one you like best. Liquitex Super Heavy Gesso is great for applying sculptural effects to the canvas with a brush or palette knife.
Gesso comes in both squeeze bottle form and in large tubs or jars. With the squeeze bottles, you can squeeze the gesso right onto canvas and then smooth it out with a brush. You can also pour some onto your palette first if you want to mix the gesso with paint or water. If your gesso comes in a jar, you can stick your paintbrush right into the jar and apply it to the canvas.
Gesso is also available as a spray. What is gesso spray? You shake the can and spray the gesso directly onto your canvas, with no need for a brush.
I’ve provided links below to the relevant products so that you can easily find them on Blick Art Materials, my favorite online art supplier. I’m a member of Blick’s affiliate program, which means if you make a purchase after clicking on one of these links, I’ll receive a small commission (at no extra cost to you). Your purchase helps support this site and keeps it free of ads. Click here for more info.
Table of Contents
- Top Pick: Utrecht Black Artists’ Acrylic Gesso
- Golden Black Gesso
- Liquitex Black Acylic Gesso
- Blick Artists’ Acrylic Gesso
- Testing Methodology and Images
- Tips for Applying and Working With Black Gesso
- Summary
Utrecht Black Gesso is our top pick for a black acrylic gesso because of its ultra-matte quality and affordable price point. Of the gessoes tested, it was the most matte with a deep, flat-black surface that stayed completely matte even with 5 or 6 coats of gesso. And though this test did not include sanding in between coats, the gesso developed a relatively flat surface as layers built up.
Available in 16 or 32 oz jars, the gesso usually costs between .70 to .85 per ounce, making this the second cheapest black gesso tested. It’s a great deal for a top quality product.
There are two tradeoffs with this gesso: it’s gel-like quality and the limited availability of jar sizes. In multiple jars of this, I’ve always found it to have a gel-like quality right out of the jar that is a bit harder to use. Simply mix in a bit of water and you should be fine though. Regarding the jar size, the tall 32 oz jar is easy to store but it can be hard to get all the gesso out of the bottom. It would also be nice if it came in gallon buckets. But in reality, these are minor complaints because the ultra-matte results are what I’m looking for in a black gesso, and this is my go-to favorite.
About Utrecht: Founded in 1949 in Brooklyn, New York, Utrecht was one of the first manufacturers to develop acrylic gesso. Acquired by Blick in 2013, the products are still made in Brooklyn and are available online and at Blick stores in the U.S. They are not marketed this way, but I think of Utrecht as the premium “house brand” at Blick stores.
Utrecht Black Artists’ Acrylic Gesso sizes, typical price, and price per ounce:
- 16 oz, $13.34, .83 per ounce
- 32 oz, $22.06, .69 per ounce
