Professional Mediums
Professional Gesso
Key Features
- Primes surfaces and adds a high level of tooth for maximum color adhesion and stability
- Gives a matte white, opaque finish which provides a professional standard, archival base to help maintain the longevity of your work
- Stiffens your canvases and creates the optimum absorbency for paint application
- Establishes a good surface for preliminary charcoal or pencil drawings
- Always use a quality artist's gesso if you want a lasting, archival base - a low-cost ground will flake and separate from your support, taking your work with it. Under the right conditions, a professional gesso will last generations
How to Use
- Use undiluted or thin with up to 25% water - when thinning more than 25%, use an equal mixture of water and Liquitex Matte Medium
- Sand hard or shiny surfaces first, apply a thin coat to support with a wide, flat brush and leave to dry for at least 24 hours before starting to paint
- To create a smoother base, sand the surface and reapply gesso
- If using as a base for oils, apply 2-4 coats and sand between applications
- Add acrylic color for a custom tint - Soft Body Acrylic is the optimum consistency
MEET LIQUTEX PROFESSIONAL GESSOES
FOR MORE STRUCTURE. STRENGTH. CHARACTER.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Other creatives have asked us...
How do I make a colored gesso?
We would recommend you selecting your green Soft Body or Heavy Body color and mixing a little into our Professional Gesso until you achieve the desired tint.
If acrylic goes onto most surfaces why do I need a gesso?
While acrylics adhere to most surfaces, gesso prepares surfaces for a long-term bond, improving absorbency and tooth for paint.
Do you make sheer tinted grounds?
We only make an uncolored Clear Gesso but you can tint it with a transparent color from our Acrylic Ink or Soft Body ranges.
What can I use to create a hard surface for a graphite drawing?
To create a hard surface for graphite drawings, sketch directly on our Professional Gessoes or use Ceramic Stucco for an Italian fresco-style effect.
What's the best way to prime a canvas for painting?
Size with one layer of Matte Medium and coat with Liquitex gesso (white, gray, black, clear, or super heavy gesso) for priming.