What is Gesso? How and Why Do You Use It?

What is Gesso? In painting, the term "priming" refers to the application of a groundwork or undercoat to a support such as canvas, paper, wood, or metal. This initial layer helps to prepare the surface for subsequent layers of paint and can have a significant impact on the finished work. Gesso is a substance used as a primer for painting. It is usually white and made from a combination of chalk and gums. Gesso was traditionally used to prepare drawing surfaces for oil paint, but it can also be used with acrylic paints. When applied to canvas, gesso provides a tooth or surface roughness that helps the paint adhere more effectively. In addition, gesso can be tinted with colors/mediums to provide a range of different effects. For example, adding a small amount of black acrylics to a white gesso primer
What is Gesso? In painting, the term priming refers to the application of a groundwork or undercoat to a support such as canvas, paper, wood

I see questions about applying gesso often. Why would you apply extra gesso to a pre primed canvas? I do it to add extra texture to the canvas. : r/HappyTrees

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