 When I studied Art + Design at Red Deer College in the mid-1980s, we were taught how to mix our own gesso. I haven't done it in years so I contacted my alma mater recently, I asked for the recipe again and thought I'd share it here:
GESSO RECIPE: 1. 1/4 cup taclum powder. 2. 1 tablespoon white glue. 3. 1 tablespoon white paint. 4. water to desired consistency. It's pretty simple and the ingredients are readily available. In the past, we also used a dry mix of drywall plaster (Plaster of Paris) in place of the talcum powder and, if I remember correctly, both have that nice chalky texture. For the white glue, I used Elmer's school glue though I wonder if you might try making your own...I used to do this with the girls when they were young though I'm unsure how effective it would be: flour and water heated to a boil and then cooled, apparently you can also make variations using cornstarch or gelatin. I tinted mine a warm grey using Natural Earth Pigments and used an old gesso bottle to shake everything up really good. I really like the consistency. Comments are closed.
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