Take the Guesswork out of Gesso

Art journals seem to be everywhere right now. Artists around the world have turned everything from an encyclopedia to a cardboard children’s book into their own works of art. Pre-made books make the easiest and most interesting art journals because they’re being used for a purpose outside of their normal use.

In order to create a journal all your own, you’ll have to prime your book first. The easiest way to accomplish this is by using gesso. Gesso is simply that, a primer. You put it on the pages that you are going to paint, decoupage or stamp, in order to create a clean slate. The use of gesso will stop your different mediums from seeping through the pages of the book or from showing the text.

Originally used by artists to cover wood, canvas or other materials before painting with acrylic or oil paints, gesso has stood the test of time and has now made its way into the altered-art world. Here is a little bit more information on gesso to help you to fully understand its uses.

• Applying gesso to your surface creates a texture, often called “tooth,” that allows acrylic paint to really stick to it. It won’t normally need more than one coat of paint after gesso has been applied.


• Gesso originally came only in white, but is now available in a variety of beautiful colors as well as black.


• Gesso is great for thin pages in a book because after its application, the pages are a little bit stiffer and easier to work with.


• Gesso normally comes in a water-based form which makes for easy cleanup.
  
  


• If you decide to use gesso on your next art project, all you’ll need to get started is a foam brush. No special tools are necessary in order to use this product.


• You can pick from a variety of manufacturers, like Liquitex, Golden or Discovery, for your gesso needs. A 40% off big-box craft-store coupon will make this product ultra affordable.


• Gesso can be used on fabric or ribbon to allow you to stamp or paint another image on top.

Now that you’re a little more educated on this versatile art medium, I hope you’ll give it a try. I promise after you use it, you’ll never let it leave your side.

Art journal examples by Lilia Meredith