Our White Gesso: "Same as it Ever Was"

You might have recently noticed that we updated our labels for Grounds, Mediums and Gels to aim for better clarity, accuracy and simplicity. While reviewing the labels, we decided to both standardize the descriptions of all of these products and double check the accuracy of the sliders which help convey opacity, sheen and thickness.

March2017_16ozGesso — Image 1: Our old label on the left and new one on the right, showing both front and side of a 16 oz container.

In the process of doing this, we found that the opacity slider for our white acrylic Gesso needed updating since our Lab tests have always shown it was less opaque than products such as our Heavy Body Titanium White (see Image 2). The new placement, closer to midpoint, is more accurate. In addition, like other products sharing a similar rating, the words Semi-Opaque appear on the front of the label. However, the actual degree of opacity of the Gesso itself has not changed. It is still the heavily pigmented, bright white painting ground you have always relied on. It will still offer wonderful coverage when priming canvases, while providing optimal flexibility, surface texture (tooth) and absorbency.

Two drawdowns comparing Heavy Body Titanium White with our White Gesso. On the left is a 6 mil thickness and on the right, 10 mil. An average brush stroke is about 6 mil.> — Two drawdowns comparing Heavy Body Titanium White with our White Gesso. On the left is a 6 mil thickness and on the right, 10 mil. An average brush stroke is about 6 mil.

If you have any questions about our Gessoes or any information in this article, don’t hesitate to call 800-959-6543 / 607-847-6154 or email [email protected].

Here are some links to articles and information related to acrylic Gesso:

Gesso ( Black and White )

Uncommon Grounds Acrylic Dispersion Grounds: a.k.a. Gesso

Thick Gesso and Carvable Gesso