🎨 Why Gesso Is Your Best Friend

Let’s be honest — gesso doesn’t sound very exciting. It’s not colorful, it’s not shiny, and it doesn’t sparkle. But here’s the truth: gesso is like primer for your creativity. It’s the secret sauce that makes your acrylics behave beautifully instead of soaking into your canvas like a thirsty sponge.

🖌️ What Is Gesso, Anyway?

Gesso (pronounced “jess-oh”) is a white primer (also does come in clear) that preps your surface before painting. It adds a bit of texture, seals the surface, and gives your paint something to “grab onto.” Without it, your paint can look dull, patchy, or uneven.

Think of it as giving your canvas a tiny bit of grip — like traction for your brushstrokes.

💡 Why You Shouldn’t Skip It

• Better color payoff: Paint stays vibrant instead of soaking in.

• Smoother strokes: Brushes glide instead of dragging.

• More control: You can layer, blend, and adjust easier.

• Durability: Your painting lasts longer and doesn’t crack or peel.

In short — skipping gesso is like baking a cake and forgetting the butter. You can do it… but it’s just not the same.

🧴 How to Use It

1. Start with a clean surface — canvas, wood, paper, whatever you’re painting on.

2. Apply a thin, even coat with a wide flat brush.

3. Let it dry completely (usually 20–30 minutes).

4. Lightly sand between coats if you want a super-smooth finish.

5. Add a second coat for extra coverage or a slightly more textured surface.

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You can even tint your gesso with a bit of acrylic paint to create a colored background — perfect if you don’t love starting on stark white.

🎯 Your Challenge This Week:

Paint the same subject on two small surfaces — one with gesso, one without. Notice how differently the paint behaves. Spoiler: your “gessoed” version will feel smoother, richer, and way more fun to work on.