What is gesso?
Q: What is gesso?
A: Gesso is a white paint mixture used as a primer or foundation for art painting on wood or canvas.
Q: What is the purpose of gesso in art painting?
A: Gesso is used in art to prepare surfaces for painting, especially rough or uneven surfaces like wood panels, canvas, and sculpture. It lets the artist's chosen subject show more clearly than it would otherwise.
Q: What is the binder used in traditional gesso?
A: Traditionally, the binder used in gesso is glue or gelatin.
Q: What is the pigment used in traditional gesso?
A: Traditionally, the pigment used in gesso is chalk, plaster or gypsum.
Q: Why do many artists still prime a surface even if it has no roughness?
A: Many artists still prime a surface even if it has no roughness because the primer may change and help the quality of light reflected from the surface.
Q: Can gesso be seen directly in a painting?
A: No, gesso cannot be seen directly in a painting.
Q: Is gesso only useful for rough or uneven surfaces?
A: Gesso is especially useful for rough or uneven surfaces, but it can still be used on smoother surfaces to enhance the quality of light reflected from the surface.
