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Gesso and surface texture
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Message
Posted
Before I moved I used an Acrylic Gesso (Liquitex) to prime my panels and had reasonably successful results apart from the odd one or two where the surface appeared to be glossier than usual and the paint didn't adhere very well. Since moving I was compelled to use the only one available locally or wait weeks for a delivery (even Amazon is slow here). The problem is that it is quite thick and glossy and, more often than not, oil paint just slides over it.
I have heard of people using various additives to gesso to achieve a better texture for painting, e.g. pumice. I've also tried a light sanding but it just seems like removing the layers. Using a spray can of Rustoleum was another idea I gleaned from somewhere, but have to settle for a dark grey background. Is it better to use additives or seek out a better gesso?
What surface preparations do others use?
Posted
Usually, a Daler-Rowney Cryla or System-3 acrylic 'gesso' - but you might try (and so might I!) using a sealant first - take a look on the Jackson's website, particularly at Golden Acrylics, and/or see Will Kemp's website for suggestions. You can mix all sorts of things with the acrylic primer - what makers call 'gesso', though it isn't - but under oil I'm not personally too fond of them.