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Recipe and Handy Hints: Gesso Recipe
You are able to make Gesso in a couple of different ways depending on the type of surface you’re
planning to use.

For rigid supports (board)
o Dissolve 90 grams dry Rabbit Skin Glue (RSG) into either 1 litre of warm water to use
straight away or into cold water and allow to stand overnight. If you’re intending to
use the size straight away be sure to add the water very slowly whilst you
continuously stir until the process is complete.

For Flexible supports (Canvas should be 100% cotton or linen)
o Dissolve 35 – 45 grams RSG in 1 litre water as above.
Preparing the Gesso
A double boiler is required or an electric frying pan filled with water during the preparation stage in
order to heat the size. However it is vital not to allow the size to boil at any given time during the
process as this would result in the destruction of the molecular structure which in turn would
weaken it. Although it is important to keep the size warm at all time when using it as it will enable it
to enter the support much better.
If using a board you will need to sand it first. Be sure not to use MDF as it is very toxic. Masonite or
ply is best to use.
The next step requires that you size all sides of the support. Please not that size may be used to prim
both wooden supports and canvas on its own if you like and you can also paint over it with oil if you
choose.
Now you need to mix the dry pigment mix up. This will require 9 parts calcium carbonate (Whiting)
to 1 part titanium dioxide. It is best to make it up into a large jar as large as you feel you will require.
Do not fear though as you are able to keep it for as long as you like providing you ensure it is kept
dry at all times.
For the step you will need to poor the RSG size into the pigment slowly stirring very carefully. Do not
try to add the pigment to the size as will cause it to form lumps. You can strain the gesso through a
pair of pantyhose or simular fabric if you like but this will depend on how serious you are about your
gesso.
Preparing the support
Now that your gesso is made, it’s time to prepare your supports. To do this you paint slowly on a 90
degree direction aiming for about 0.5 – 1 mm thickness of gesso using cross- hatching alternative
layers. There should be 6 to 8 to 10 layers of gesso depending on your personal choice.
When you get to the last layer you will need to burnish the gesso so that you get a nice smooth
result in the end. To do this whilst the last layer is still tacky and not quit dry use a piece of polyester
cloth bunched in your hand in such a way it gets a nice smooth surface and rub it over the gesso. A
metal spoon can also be used for this process as the cloth can leave behind natural fibres. If the
support dry’s before you have had the chance to burnish it just spray a firm mist of water over it to
atomise it and then continue with the cloth. Some have been known to even use the palm of their
hand when doing this process.
An alternate approach to this would be to sand your gesso board with 120 grade sandpaper and
then lightly rub willow stick over the panel using your fingertips to get the charcoal into the grooves.
Only a very small piece of charcoal will be needed. After you have done this you then need to sand
the support once more, this time using, 320 grade sandpaper, until no charcoal can be seen
anymore.
If you were looking for a faster alternative to making gesso, you could add calcium carbonate
(Whiting) to a flat acrylic primer. Then dissolve the pigment in water and add the primer which has
already been diluted. You will need to practice in order to get the right effects and quality. Satin
acrylic primer can also be used if you like as it has more binder added to it, which will allow it to
except titanium dioxide before packing up.
You are able to obtain whiting (calcium carbonate) in small amounts from a hardware store.
Titanium dioxide can be obtained in small quantities from Jacksons Ceramic Division or simular
supplies in your region. If larger amounts are required see Unimin (Commercial minerals) and Kerr
Mcgee Pigments.
(Curtins University n.d.)
Works Cited
Recipe and Handy Hints: Gesso Recipe. n.d. https://lms.curtin.edu.au.
Bibliography
Recipe and Handy Hints: Gesso Recipe. n.d. https://lms.curtin.edu.au.