Medium
WHY SHOULD I USE CLEAR GESSO ON MY PAINT BY NUMBERS KIT?
To clear gesso or to not clear gesso?
Today, our Paint Plot friends, we are going to pull this topic apart to help you choose if you’d like to use gesso or not. Keep in mind that it’s a completely individual choice, you do not need gesso but it can be a great added option for your painting.
Our Paint Plot paint by number kits always come complete with everything you need to complete your artwork, gesso is an optional, added extra.
One important thing to keep in mind is that you need clear gesso. If you use white gesso on a paint by number canvas, it covers the lines and numbers so make sure you choose carefully!
- What does gesso do? Gesso is purely designed to prepare the surface of the canvas. Initially the canvas acts as a sponge, after the gesso is applied it becomes adherent and adds ‘tooth’ or ‘grit’ to the canvas. This allows the paint to stick and not slip through the cracks into the weave and prevents any white spots on the canvas.
- Why would I use it? Clear gesso provides a more absorbent surface to work on. Therefore, the coverage is smoother and the need to do more layers is eliminated. There are, of course sometimes very light colours that will need multiple coats even with clear gesso.
- How is it applied? Just a simple thick paint brush will do the trick. Pour the gesso into a bowl or paint palette and apply the gesso to the canvas. We also sell gesso brushes if you don’t have a suitable brush.
Apply your gesso across the canvas then do another coat vertically. After this has been completed you may notice some brush marks. Go over the canvas in both directions just very lightly, without adding more gesso to smooth out the marks.
The best thing to do is to then leave your canvas to completely dry for 24 hours before starting to apply your paints.
We hope this Paint Plot clear gesso blog has been useful and maybe on your next paint by number you may like to give it a try.
The clear gesso combined with the flow medium will provide a smoother and easier application. It will also use less paint as you won’t need to do as many layers.
Click here to read about flow aid/ flow medium.
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