More Fun with Gesso!

Welcome Back to Another BobBlast!

Gesso, as you know, is a paint primer. It's the first paint coat applied to stretched canvases. Its purpose is for better adhesion for subsequent layers of acrylic of oil paint.

You may recall I also brush or squeegee gesso on my 300 lb watercolor paper - for the same reason. I prefer painting on the dried, hard gesso, instead of the natural soft paper.

And... there is also the added fun benefit of introducing texture at this point. The gesso I like to use is thick - so instead of a smooth finish, adding texture by scraping lines or stamping patterns in the applied gesso is ideal at this time - while it is still wet.

My added texture of choice, besides scraping lines and imprinting bubble wrap for a heated pattern, is layering tissue papers into wet gesso. Another product I like using for texture is Heavy Texture Gel Medium. I trowel it on for a similar effect. You can watch me demonstrate these techniques in the video. 

Also available for adding texture are high-peaking thicker gels and gesso for building and sculpting. All art catalogs and better art stores have a variety to choose from.

When all the above dries, I begin painting. 

The finished surface will appear to look like thick paint, when actually very little paint was used.

There are books and classes on texturing - but for me, this is what I've narrowed it down to!

Play with the surface before painting!

Thank you for your interest, questions, comments and support!

To view more of my favorite art materials, go to my website and click on my "Studio Resource List" - you can download it as a PDF.

Thanks again for watching and telling your friends! All my BobBlasts are archived on my website and my YouTube Channel. We post new studio tips weekly that offer real content, substance and useful techniques that work for me. And they're free!  We appreciate your interest, questions, comments and support!

Here's a quick reminder about some upcoming workshops and dates. 
If interested, sign up now!

Featured Workshops :

 
August 6-10, 2018
Loosen Up with Aquamedia Painting
Mendocino Art Center, Mendocino, CA
Contact Gina Hurst-Roach, registrar (707) 937-5818
or register@mendocinoartcenter.org


August 13-17, 2018
Abstract Acrylic Painting & Collage
Mendocino Art Center, Mendocino, CA
Contact Gina Hurst-Roach, registrar (707) 937-5818
or register@mendocinoartcenter.org


September 4-7, 2018
Loosen Up with Aquamedia Painting
North Valley Art League, Redding, CA
Contact Carla Canter, (530) 247-7104
or canteringreader@gmail.com


Sept 11, 12, 13, 2018
Abstract Acrylic Painting & Collage
Southwestern Watercolor Society
Dallas, Texas
Contact Lou Bono (469)744-7559 


September 17-19, 2018 
Loosen Up with Aquamedia Painting
Sedona Arts Center
Sedona, AZ
Contact (888) 954-4442 or (928) 282-3809


September 21-23, 2018
Contemporary Abstract Figure
Sedona Arts Center
Sedona, AZ
Contact (888) 954-4442 or (928) 282-3809


September 27-30, 2018 
Artisan Expo
(505) 954-4179 ext. 119
artspot@artisan-santafe.com


October 15-19, 2018
Loosen Up with Aquamedia Painting
Vancouver Island Art Workshops
British Columbia, Canada
Contact Mary, (250) 714-8080 


View Bob's Workshop Schedule, click here
...Check out his 2018 Studio Workshops!  click here.

Hope you have enjoyed these short, weekly blasts! Sign up on my website and keep watching. There are lots of them! 

Click  HERE  to view  BobBlast Issue 206
"More Fun with Gesso! "

More Fun with Gesso

Love, Peace & Happiness,
Robert Burridge
www.RobertBurridge.com

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