Binding the Tangible
Gesso is an amazing material! It is a boon for Artists and Art-lovers. It is the magic material that helps colours bind into the canvas seamlessly!
Possibly we have heard about different pigments that go in to making of a painting in the canvas — such as acrylic, oil, enamel, other mixed-media materials. Gesso is lesser known yet plays a significant role in canvas paintings.
As a preparatory process Gesso is applied as a staple primer on the canvas. Gesso is a binder that strengthens the binding qualities of the canvas with the pigment applied upon it.
Priming with Gesso implies the process of applying Gesso onto the canvas with smooth consistencies. This ensures stains, marks, and dust particles are off the surface of the canvas and ensures that dry parts are filled before the pigments are applied.
When applied, Gesso fills-in the pores of the canvas, thus preventing pigments from seeping in. It prevents pigments from peeling-off, and even fading. It also prevents formation of any fungus.
Gesso is normally applied evenly across the canvas unless we intend to craft the priming for a textured creation.
Nowadays Gesso is available in multiple colours and forms — that include Gesso powder (that can be diluted with water and applied) and Gesso paste. Gesso is also available in clear and opaque forms.
Apart from paintings, Gesso is also used in Sculpturing.
[Note: I use gesso in all my paintings]
Originally posted on my blog: https://sparshabyradhika.com/blog on 4th April, 2021.
