What Is Acrylic Primer Gesso? ( Everything you need to know)

Have you ever started a new painting project only to have the paint bead up and refuse to stick to the surface? Or maybe you’ve had issues with your colors looking dull and lifeless, no matter how vibrantly you mixed them. If so, you may need to add an acrylic primer gesso to your arsenal.

Gesso is an essential tool for any artist working with acrylics, oils, or mixed media. This multi-purpose primer creates the perfect painting surface by sealing porous materials and providing an absorbent base layer for pigments to bind to. But what exactly is it, and how does it work its magic?

Acrylic primer gesso is a white, acrylic-based primer used to prepare surfaces for painting, similar to white acrylic paint but thinner in consistency. It dries to a hard, slightly textured surface that helps your paint adhere better. The main purpose is to seal, stiffen, and provide “tooth” or surface texture to the painting surface, whether it’s canvas, wood, paper, or other materials. This prevents the paint from soaking in and becoming dull.

What Is Acrylic Primer Gesso Made Of?

Acrylic primer gesso is usually made from a combination of the following ingredients:

1. Acrylic Polymer Binder: This is the main component that binds the other ingredients together and creates a flexible, durable film when dry.
2. Calcium Carbonate: Also known as chalk, this mineral provides opacity, texture, and a slight absorbency to the gesso.
3. Pigments: White pigments like titanium dioxide or zinc oxide are added to create the familiar white color of gesso. Tinted gessoes may contain other pigments like iron oxides or carbon black.
4. Additives: Depending on the manufacturer and intended use, gesso may contain additional ingredients like thickeners, preservatives, or defoamers to adjust its consistency, shelf life, or application properties.

While the exact formulation may vary between brands, the key components remain the same, ensuring a consistent and reliable product for artists.

What Makes Acrylic Primer Gesso Unique?

Acrylic primer gesso is unique in its composition and properties. It is made from a combination of acrylic polymer emulsion, pigments (usually titanium white), and fillers like calcium carbonate or gypsum. This mixture creates a thick, spreadable paste that can be applied to various surfaces.

One of the key advantages of acrylic primer gesso is its ability to seal and protect the surface it is applied to. When used on canvas, for example, it helps to prevent the natural oils and fibers from leaching through and discoloring the paint over time. This not only preserves the vibrancy of the colors but also ensures the longevity of the artwork.

Additionally, acrylic primer gesso provides a slightly textured surface that allows the acrylic paint to grip better, resulting in richer, more vibrant colors and smoother application. Artists often appreciate the flexibility of gesso, as it can be applied in thin or thick layers, depending on the desired effect.

What are the Different Types of Acrylic Primer Gesso?

Not all gessoes are created equal. Manufacturers offer various types to cater to different artist preferences and surface requirements. Here are some common variations:

1. Traditional Acrylic Gesso: The most widely used type, it creates a slightly absorbent, tooth-like texture ideal for acrylic painting on canvas, wood, or other porous surfaces.
2. Acrylic Gesso Primers: These are specifically formulated for priming non-porous surfaces like Masonite, plastic, or metal, ensuring better adhesion and durability.
3. Clear Gesso: As the name suggests, this type is transparent and doesn’t alter the color of the surface underneath. It’s often used for texturing or sealing purposes.
4. Tinted or Colored Gesso: Available in various hues like black, red, or yellow, tinted gessoes can provide a unique base color for your artwork or create interesting underpainting effects.
5. Textured or Molding Gesso: With a thicker, more viscous consistency, these gessoes can be used to create raised textures, impasto effects, or sculpted elements on your painting surface.

When choosing a gesso, consider the surface you’ll be working on, the desired texture, and any specific techniques you plan to employ.

Why Do You Need to Use Acrylic Primer Gesso?

Now that you know what gesso is made of, you might be wondering: why bother using it at all? Can’t you just paint directly on the canvas or surface? The answer is yes, you could—but you probably shouldn’t. Here’s why:

1. Absorbency: Many surfaces, like canvas or wood, are too porous and absorbent. This causes the paint to sink in and appear dull or chalky. Gesso provides a semi-absorbent layer that allows the pigments to bind evenly while maintaining their vibrancy.
2. Adhesion: Acrylic paint doesn’t always adhere well to certain materials, especially non-porous ones like plastic or glass. The gesso acts as a “tooth” or textured layer that the paint can grab onto.
3. Protection: Applying a gesso primer helps seal and protect porous surfaces from the acidic properties of some paints, preventing degradation or staining over time.
4. Texture: Depending on how it’s applied, gesso can create a slightly raised or textured surface perfect for impasto or palette knife techniques.
5. Consistency: A primed surface ensures a consistent base for your paint to sit on, resulting in more even color application and preventing sinking or beading issues.

Overall, using an acrylic primer gesso helps you achieve better adhesion, truer color vibrancy, and a more archival, professional finish for your artwork.

How to Apply Acrylic Primer Gesso?

Applying acrylic primer gesso is a straightforward process, but it’s important to follow the correct techniques to ensure optimal results. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

1. Prepare the Surface: Ensure that the surface you’re working on is clean, dry, and free of any debris or oils. Lightly sanding the surface can also help improve gesso adhesion.
2. Mix the Gesso: If you’re using a gesso that requires mixing, follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully. Typically, you’ll need to stir the gesso thoroughly to ensure a smooth, consistent texture.
3. Apply the First Coat: Using a wide, flat brush or a gesso brush, apply a thin, even coat of gesso to the surface. Work in long, smooth strokes, covering the entire area.
4. Allow to Dry: Let the first coat of gesso dry completely. This usually takes about 30 minutes to an hour, depending on the temperature and humidity.
5. Apply Additional Coats (Optional): For optimal coverage and a smoother surface, apply additional coats of gesso, allowing each coat to dry thoroughly before applying the next.
6. Lightly Sand (Optional): Once the final coat of gesso is dry, you can lightly sand the surface with fine-grit sandpaper to create a smooth, even base for your acrylic paints.
7. Clean Up: After applying the gesso, be sure to clean your brushes and tools thoroughly with soap and water while the gesso is still wet.

Remember, it’s always a good idea to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the specific gesso product you’re using, as application techniques may vary slightly.

Applications of Acrylic Primer Gesso

While acrylic primer gesso is primarily associated with preparing surfaces for acrylic painting, its versatility extends to various other applications:

1. Canvas Preparation: Gesso is an essential step in preparing new canvas for acrylic or oil painting, ensuring proper paint adhesion and longevity.
2. Mixed Media Artwork: The absorbent texture of gesso makes it a great surface for mixed media techniques like collage, stamping, or incorporating other materials into your artwork.
3. Texture and Impasto Effects: Thicker, molding gessoes can be used to create raised textures, impasto effects, or sculpted elements within your paintings.
4. Underpainting and Toning: Tinted gessoes can be used as an underpainting or toning layer, providing a unique base color for your artwork and influencing the overall color harmony.
5. Sealing and Protecting: Clear gesso can be used to seal and protect surfaces before or after painting, preventing damage or discoloration over time.
6. Crafts and Home Decor: Gesso can be used to prime and prepare various surfaces for craft projects, such as decoupage, stenciling, or creating unique home decor pieces.

With its versatility and wide range of applications, acrylic primer gesso is an essential tool in every artist’s toolkit, regardless of their preferred medium or style.

Choosing the Right Acrylic Primer Gesso

With so many different types and brands of acrylic primer gesso available on the market, it can be challenging to know which one to choose. Here are some factors to consider:

1. Surface Type: Different surfaces may require different types of gesso. For example, canvas and rigid supports may benefit from a thicker, more absorbent gesso, while paper or other delicate surfaces may require a thinner, more flexible formula.
2. Brand Reputation: Opt for reputable brands known for producing high-quality art materials. Popular options include Liquitex, Golden, and Winsor & Newton.
3. Color: While most gesso is white, some brands offer tinted or clear gesso variations, which can be useful for specific projects or techniques.
4. Finish: Gesso can come in different finishes, such as matte, satin, or glossy. The finish you choose will depend on your personal preference and the desired effect for your artwork.
5. Dry Time: Pay attention to the dry time of the gesso, especially if you plan to work in layers or need to complete your project quickly.
6. Archival Quality: For long-lasting artworks, choose an archival-quality gesso that is acid-free and designed to resist yellowing or degradation over time.

Don’t hesitate to ask for advice from experienced artists or art supply store staff to help you select the best acrylic primer gesso for your specific needs.

Can You Mix Acrylic Paint into Gesso?

Absolutely! Mixing a bit of acrylic paint into plain gesso is a great way to create a toned, colored ground for your painting surface. This technique allows you to subtly influence the overall hue and tone of your work from the very first layer.

Some artists like making “dirt gessoes” by combining brown, yellow, and red earth tones. Others prefer more vibrant underpainting bases like turquoises, violets, or brilliant reds. The possibilities are endless!

Just keep in mind that adding too much pigment can affect the gesso’s integrity, so start with just a small amount of acrylic paint (no more than 20% of the gesso volume). Regularly stir the mixture as you apply it to keep the color even and consistent.

Acrylic Primer Gesso vs. Other Primers: What’s the Difference?

While acrylic primer gesso is a popular choice for preparing surfaces for acrylic painting, it’s not the only type of primer available. Here’s how gesso differs from some other common primers:

Acrylic Primer Gesso vs. Acrylic Gesso

You may have noticed that the terms “acrylic primer gesso” and “acrylic gesso” are sometimes used interchangeably. While they are similar, there is a slight difference. Acrylic gesso is a general term that refers to any gesso product made with an acrylic polymer binder. Acrylic primer gesso, on the other hand, is specifically formulated as a primer for painting surfaces.

Acrylic Primer Gesso vs. Traditional Gesso

Traditional gesso, also known as “rabbit skin glue gesso,” was made from a mixture of animal glue, chalk, and pigments. While still used by some artists for specific techniques, traditional gesso has largely been replaced by acrylic primer gesso due to its durability, ease of use, and lack of animal-derived ingredients.

Acrylic Primer Gesso vs. Other Acrylic Primers

While acrylic primer gesso is designed specifically for use with acrylic paints, there are other types of acrylic primers available for different purposes. For example, acrylic wall primers are formulated for interior walls and may contain additional ingredients for better adhesion or mildew resistance. Similarly, acrylic primers for metal or plastic surfaces may have different binders or additives to improve their performance on those specific materials.

When choosing a primer, always consider the surface you’ll be working on, the type of paint or medium you plan to use, and any specific requirements or desired effects. While acrylic primer gesso is a versatile choice for acrylic painting, other primers may be better suited for certain applications or surfaces.

Conclusion

The bottom line is Acrylic primer gesso is an essential material for artists working with acrylics, providing a stable base for vibrant colors and long-lasting results.

However, its versatility extends beyond just priming, allowing for creative texture-making, mixed media techniques, and unique surface treatments. Whether prepping canvases or exploring artistic boundaries, gesso is a must-have tool that unlocks endless possibilities for self-expression through acrylics.