Black Gesso

Dellajoy

Is there a difference in acrylic paint and gesso? I did one painting early on & used black acrylic because I didn't have gesso. It turned out ok but I'm wondering if there will be an lasting effects from using acrylic vs gesso. I've since been using black gesso but am running low and wondered if I really need to buy gesso or if black acrylic is ok.

Ian_Adkins

Dellajoy There's no such thing as black gesso, it's just flat black acrylic. Pure marketing. Gesso is Italian for gypsum, which is white.

LionBryan

Ian_Adkins the next question would be is there such a thing as white gesso or is that simply a flat white acrylic as well?

cmcox120

Ian_Adkins I have a tub of black gesso that begs to differ. It’s gesso, with a pigment added.

Dellajoy

Aha! Thanks so much for the info. I'll just use black acrylic going forward as it is cheaper than gesso.

LionBryan

Dellajoy Actually there is a difference between gesso and acrylic paint. It is correct that gesso is Italian for gypsum but that is because there is actually gypsum in gesso. This causes the painting surface to be a little bit more like a chalkboard allowing the paint on your brush to be more easily pulled onto the surface. Not sure if it’s going to make that much difference in a wet on wet technique however.

Sunnylady

LionBryan I had few canvas that were covered with some unusual mixture instead of white acrylic gesso. It was pulling the oil from paint seriously. At that time I was very beginner and it drove me crazy. With that strong pull no color blending was possible. A had to apply extra layer of oil on the canvas to prevent soaking and that made mud. Instead better would be to add extra layer of gesso.
I never checked composition of white gesso in the shop but this is a good idea to do so when buying next one.

Ian_Adkins

cmcox120 Well, will wonders never cease!

TheLandscapePainter

My canvasses suck the life out of my oil paints if I dont give them an extra coat of gesso. There are some really rubbish canvases around and not a cheap price either. Even liquid clear disappears faster than you can say "a thin even coat".

ShadowscarsDragon

TheLandscapePainter That is so true. I've just discovered this problem with a brand of cheap canvases I obtained, 20 minutes in the liquid clear was completely dry, no blending possible... Now I know to always apply gesso to any canvas I paid less than 10$ for 😆

Mrs C

I have only recently been trying the gesso paints, and they are much more liquidly than tube acrylic. Most of the canvases i buy aren't expensive, mostly as I am still learning and don't have space for huge bits of art.
I have bought some canvases and they are a bit powdery, so I will probably gesso them first. I tried the first time a black canvas with gesso on then the liquid clear and oils on top, I love the mix of these 2, and the technique, it's very satisfying. I honestly don't think the effect would be the same had I used standard tube acrylic though.

wybnormal

Here is one more trick if you want to paint with some detail.. gesso.. sand it and then gesso again.. Normally 2-3 times gives a pretty smooth surface to paint things like florals with a high level of detail or sharpness. Use a smooth grit.. 240-320. This gives roughly the same surface as hardboard for example. Copper was frequently used as a "canvas" back in "the day" but it would break the bank today.