Gesso Grounds
Understanding Traditional Painting Grounds
After selecting and preparing a rigid support—such as a wooden panel—the next essential step is applying gesso grounds. Gesso creates a stable, absorbent surface that allows paint, gilding, or decorative layers to adhere properly and last over time.
What Is Gesso?
Traditional gesso is a white, mineral-based ground made by combining:
- An inert white pigment (such as chalk, whiting, or slaked plaster of Paris)
- An aqueous binder (commonly animal glue, gelatin, or casein)
This mixture forms a liquid or semi-liquid coating that is brushed onto a surface in multiple thin layers. Once dry, gesso is typically sanded smooth, resulting in a refined, ivory-like finish ideal for painting or gilding.
**Important note:** Many modern ready-made “gessos” are actually polymer primers, not true gesso. While useful, they do not share the same properties as traditional gesso and behave differently over time.
Uses of Gesso
Gesso has been used for centuries in fine art and decorative applications, including:
- Preparing panels for oil, tempera, or acrylic painting
- Creating relief textures that can be molded or carved
- Decorating picture frames and furniture
- Serving as a modeling medium for ornamental designs
Its versatility makes it a foundational material in traditional painting techniques.
Gesso on Canvas: Risks and Limitations
Although gesso has occasionally been applied to canvas, it is not recommended. Traditional gesso lacks flexibility, which makes it incompatible with fabric supports that naturally expand and contract.
When applied to canvas, the following issues may occur:
- Fine crackle patterns appearing over time
- Cracking soon after the painting is completed
- Increased risk of flaking and structural failure
In ancient paintings, fine crackle is often accepted as a normal effect of aging. In newly painted work, however, crackle is undesirable and indicates instability.
**Best practice:** Rigid panels are the most reliable support for traditional gesso grounds.
Craftsmanship and Technique
Producing a flawless gesso surface requires:
- Careful control of materials and proportions
- Consistent application of thin, even layers
- Attention to drying times and sanding
- Patience and experience
Although gesso is simple in principle, its successful preparation depends on precise balance. Small variations in glue strength, pigment quality, humidity, or material age can significantly affect the final result, making the surface too brittle, too soft, or improperly absorbent.
For this reason, artists often refine their gesso recipes over time through hands-on practice.
Key Takeaways for Artists
- Traditional gesso is best suited for rigid supports
- Polymer primers are not true gesso
- Crackling on new work signals structural risk
- Mastery of gesso preparation comes from experience and attention to detail
Understanding gesso grounds is an important step toward creating artwork with long-term durability and professional quality.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between traditional gesso and acrylic gesso?
Traditional gesso is made from chalk or plaster mixed with animal glue or casein and is best used on rigid panels. Acrylic gesso, often sold ready-made, is actually a polymer primer. It is more flexible and suitable for canvas but does not have the same absorbency or surface qualities as true gesso.
Can I use traditional gesso on canvas?
Traditional gesso is not recommended for canvas because it lacks flexibility. Over time, movement in the canvas can cause cracking or flaking. Rigid supports such as wood panels are the safest option.
Why does gesso crack?
Cracking occurs when gesso is applied too thickly, used on flexible supports, or mixed with improper ratios of glue and pigment. Environmental factors such as humidity and temperature changes can also contribute to cracking.
How many layers of gesso should I apply?
Most artists apply multiple thin layers, typically between three and eight coats. Each layer should be allowed to dry before the next is applied, and light sanding between layers helps achieve a smooth surface.
Is crackle ever acceptable in gesso grounds?
In historic artworks, fine crackle is often accepted as a natural effect of aging. In contemporary paintings, however, crackle usually indicates structural instability and should be avoided.