Gesso Ground/Dry Mix This is a true Gesso and is made of titanium white pigment extended with Calcium Carbonate (sometimes called whiting or chalk) and blended with a dry rabbitskin glue. Ths pre-mixed Gesso makes a smooth spreadable ground when mixed with water and heated per the directions on the container.
True Chalk Gesso can also be made by mixing these ingredients together. A store bought pre-mixture is not needed. However, unless one is experienced in mixing the ingredents, a pre-mix may achieve more desirable results.
Recipe and Instructions
1 part Rabbitskin glue
1 part Titanium white (dry pigment) Optional
1 part Calcium Carbonate (Whiting or Chalk)
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1. Prepare the rabbitskin glue and always be sure to keep it warm, but not HOT.
2. Next mix the Calcium Carbonate and the Dry Titanium White together.
3. While the rabbitskin glue is still warm, begin slowly adding the dry mixture of Calcium and Titanium together.
4.Begin stirring the mixture. The mixture should be stirred gently to ensure that very few air pockets will form. Air pockets cause defects in the surface you are priming.
5. Slowly keep adding the dry mixture until you have a consistency much like "pancake batter." Too much dry mixture and the surface will crack when dried and too little will not have the hiding power one might desire.
6.Apply the mixture to your support while still warm. It may be required that you warm the mixture several times, but never bring it to a boil.
7.Apply the Gesso in several thin coats, allowing each coat to dry before adding the next. Each coat will become dull when dry. A minimum of 4 coats is recommended and there is no maximum, but 10 to 12 coats are recommended.
8. After the final coat of Gesso, allow to dry for 24 hours, then sand lightly with a fine sandpaper (220 garnet paper or finer). Be sure to sand and bevel the edges to safeguard against chipping.
9. Finish by rubbing the panel with a SOFT, damp, cotton cloth. A lightly dampened cloth will buff to a proper smooth and shiny surface. Too much water will result in too much of the surface being removed.
