Top 10 Useful and Cool Things To Do With Gesso

Gesso is a white paint medium that is used as a primer to prepare surfaces for painting. It can also be used on its own as an opaque paint.

Gesso is incredibly versatile and can be used for a variety of different projects. From creating texture on your art pieces to using it as a surface for mixed media projects, the possibilities are endless when it comes to using gesso.

If you’re looking for some new and creative ways to use gesso, look no further! We’ve compiled the top 10 useful and cool things you can do with gesso, so keep reading to get some inspiration for your next project!

1. Use Gesso As A Primer

Gesso is a primer used to prep surfaces for painting, drawing, or mixed media. It’s an opaque white acrylic paint that dries quickly and is relatively inexpensive.

Before applying your paint, apply several coats of Gesso to the surface to ensure a better finish.

You can also use it to make interesting textures on wood, canvas, or any other surface. It can also be used as a sealant to protect the underlying layer from paint.

Gesso is also great for creating unique effects and textures on three-dimensional objects like sculpture, pottery, or ceramics.

2. Create Texture With Gesso

Gesso is a great medium for creating texture on your canvas or board. You can use it to give the surface of your painting an interesting finish. To do this, first, apply a thick layer of gesso over your canvas.

Then, take a palette knife or brush and create texture by dragging it through the wet gesso. This technique is great for adding depth and dimension to your artwork.

You can also add other elements, such as sand, glitter, beads, etc., to make it more interesting. Once the gesso is dry, you can start painting over it and get creative with your artwork!

3. Make Custom Stencils With Gesso

Gesso is a great tool to make your own custom stencils. To get started, find a pattern or design and draw it on a sheet of paper. Use an X-ACTO knife to carefully cut out the parts of the design that you want to create as a stencil.

After cutting out the pattern, brush on a thin layer of gesso over the design. Allow it to dry completely before carefully peeling away the paper from the back of the gesso.

Now you have your own custom stencil that’s perfect for adding intricate designs and patterns to your artwork!

4. Paint Over Photos With Gesso

Gesso is a perfect medium for adding texture and color to photographs. To get started, apply a thin layer of gesso over the photo using a brush or roller. Allow the first coat to dry before applying additional coats.

The more layers you add, the thicker the texture will be. Once you’ve achieved the desired texture, you can add color by using acrylic paint or watercolors. You can also use stencils or stamps to add additional detail to your painting.

Gesso is a great way to bring an old photo back to life with some interesting textures and colors!

5. Create Mixed Media Artwork With Gesso

Gesso is a great medium for creating mixed-media artwork. By combining gesso with other mediums, such as paints, pastels, and pencils, you can create some stunning pieces of art.

Gesso acts as a great base to work on and helps to give the painting added texture, depth, and vibrancy.

To get started, apply a thin layer of gesso over your canvas or paper using a wide brush. Once it’s dry, you can start adding other mediums to create your artwork. Experiment with different techniques and textures to find what works best for you!

6. Create Watercolour Effects With Gesso

Gesso can be used to create a range of watercolor effects. You can use it as a base layer for your artwork or as an actual medium for watercolour painting. To make a watercolor effect with gesso, you’ll need: gesso, a palette knife, and water-soluble paints.

First, spread some gesso on the surface of your artwork with the palette knife. Then let it dry completely. Once it’s dry, start adding drops of paint in different areas. Use a clean brush to blend and move the paint around until you get your desired effect.

You can also add more layers of gesso between layers of color to create interesting textures and shapes. Finally, let it dry before sealing it with varnish or other sealants.

7. Use As An Adhesive For Paper Elements On Canvas

Gesso is a white paint mixture that is commonly used as a primer on canvas and other surfaces. It can also be used as an adhesive for paper elements, such as photos or magazine cutouts, on canvas.

To do this, simply spread a thin layer of gesso onto the back of the paper elements and let it dry. Then press the element onto the canvas and apply pressure until it sticks.

Gesso creates a strong bond between the paper element and the canvas surface, so you don’t have to worry about your creations falling apart.

8. Make Custom Labels By Handwriting Or Printing On Cardstock And Sealing With Gesso

Custom labels can be created with gesso by handwriting or printing on cardstock paper, then sealing it with a few coats of gesso. You can make custom labels for jars, bottles, vases, containers, and more.

Once the cardstock is dry, write or print words or designs with a permanent marker and seal it with gesso. The gesso will protect the material from water damage and make it last longer.

For extra protection against fading, you can also spray a sealant over the top of the label once the gesso has dried completely.

9. Mix Gesso With Glitter For Sparkle Effects

Gesso is a great medium for adding texture and sparkle to your art projects. To make the most of this versatile material, you can mix it with glitter for an extra special effect.

To do this, simply add a few handfuls of glitter to a bowl of gesso, mix it with a spoon or spatula until it’s thoroughly blended, and then use the mixture as desired.

The result will be a textured background with subtle hints of sparkle that will add a unique touch to any artwork.

10. Add Dimension To Projects By Building Up Layers Of Gesso

Gesso is a great medium for adding dimension to your projects. You can build up layers of Gesso to create more depth and texture in your work. Start with a thin layer, let it dry, and then add another layer until you’ve achieved the effect you’re looking for.

Once all the layers are complete, you can paint over them with colors or use other mediums like ink or markers to make your project pop.

Gesso is also perfect for creating interesting backgrounds for scrapbook pages or cards. Have fun experimenting and creating unique pieces of art with Gesso!

Final Words

Gesso is a versatile material that can be used to produce unique and cool artwork. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced artist, there are many ways to get creative with gesso.

From creating texture to adding dimension, the possibilities with this medium are endless. So, take some time out to explore the amazing things you can do with gesso.

Try out different techniques and find the one that works best for you. With enough practice, you’ll be able to create masterpieces that will have people turning their heads in awe.