gesso

(noun)

A mixture of plaster of Paris and glue used to prepare a surface for painting.

Related Terms

  • mineral spirits
  • stretcher

Examples of gesso in the following topics:

  • Oil

    • The stretched canvas is then covered or primed with a layer of gesso, a white mixture of glue and chalk, or nowadays a mixture of titanium dioxide in an acrylic binder.
    • Sometimes artists apply multiple layers of gesso, sanding it smooth after each layer to create their desired ground.
  • Nayak Painting

    • Renowned for their surface richness, vivid colors, compact composition, glittering gold foils overlaid on delicate but extensive gesso work, and inlay of glass beads or semi-precious gems, these paintings serve primarily as devotional icons.
  • Painting of the Early Dynastic Period

    • Stone surfaces were prepared by whitewash, or, if rough, a layer of coarse mud plaster, with a smoother gesso layer above; some finer limestones could take paint directly.
  • Leonardo da Vinci

    • Instead of using the technique of fresco, da Vinci had used tempera over a ground that was mainly gesso in an attempt to bring the subtle effects of oil paint to fresco.
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