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Pegasus
Big SIS (4041)
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# Posted: 3 Jun 2008 07:37
I've never used it but I see so many neat things done with it. Is there anything specific I should know about this medium? I believe it "works" just like paint. But I don't know any of its properties...can you tell me about it...what should I know before I use it?
Thanks!
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candiMANDI
SISter Elle (1843)
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# Posted: 3 Jun 2008 08:10
good question! I want to hear the answer to this as well!
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coloredsprinkles
Style Addict (1039)
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# Posted: 3 Jun 2008 09:27
I use to when doing layers. I will do a layer of like say paper pieces, and then a layer of gesso. It gives it like a washed antiqie appeal. I also use it when I am making books out fo cardboard, I will do a few layers of it for a base coat.
I do use it alot just to add some aged, washed look to things. Almost all my layouts have it somewhere on them
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Krista
Haute SISter (876)
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# Posted: 3 Jun 2008 09:43
a lot of times it's used as a base to prep your surface for what ever you're adding next. it can def be used like paint as well as mixed with other mediums
it's used a good bit in art and mixed media type projects
still fairly new to it myself but when I did Art Unraveled last year it was used for a ton of classes
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merryheart2
Favorite SISter (6216)
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# Posted: 3 Jun 2008 10:15
does it warp your paper, and if it does how to you prevent that?
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Krista
Haute SISter (876)
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# Posted: 3 Jun 2008 10:43
dunno, haven't really played with it enough or used it on paper to tell you
i don't think it will but it's def heavier than acrylic paint
and i don't think it has as much water content so it shouldn't be prone to warping
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Grrlscrap
Fashion Plate (484)
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# Posted: 3 Jun 2008 11:34 - Edited by: Grrlscrap
Gesso is like acrylic paint, but very much thicker. it exists in white or black, personnally I use white gesso. You can use it for many many reasons:
- covering a dark surface to paint it or collage on it
- if you use gesso and then heat it before it's dried you'll get nice texture effects!
- you can insert little objects in it and let it dry.
- you can "soften" the colors with a light brush of gesso...
and if it warps the paper, I just heat it for a moment with the heat gun.
the possibilities are endless, hope it helped you!
lilith
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Greta Adams
Big SIS (4038)
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# Posted: 3 Jun 2008 11:39
it is much like paint primer is as best as i can describe it...i used it on my "busted" layout ...i use da light layer of gesso then applied watered down acrylic paint to it so you could still see the book pages through it...
it's fun to use and now i am addicted...i learned it from Rhian!!
PM here...she can def tell you what it is all about...that woman is queen of gesso..
and i also learned it is not pronounced geh-so it is pronounced jess-o
hehehehehe learned that from rhi too!!
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rhirhi
Big SIS (4337)
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# Posted: 3 Jun 2008 12:12
i use da light layer of gesso
greta ghettoed gesso.
heh heh heh.
yes. gesso.
its a primer. an acrylic with a high grit content, basically. usually calcium carbonate.
you can use it as is, or mix it with water if you want a thinner layer.
they recon you shouldn't paint on it untill its dry, but i like to break rules ;)
if it does warp - i put a flat book on it. but usualy its okay - because it IS a primer, so its there ultimately to stop the warping that you would get if you piledon water colour or acrylic first.
my sweet debee went and bought some black the other day, which fascinates me. i think i need some black.
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Greta Adams
Big SIS (4038)
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# Posted: 3 Jun 2008 12:15
bwhahaha didn't mean to getto fye it....
i meant to use a space and say used a light layer...lol
oh black...seriously....hmmm..that has me intrigued as well....
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clspillane
Model SISter (2236)
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# Posted: 3 Jun 2008 12:16
i like to use a thicker layer, then you can leave textured impressions in it with stamps or bubble wrap etc. and you can stain it with alcohol or india ink--neat vivid bursts of color! have FUN!
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pascrapgal
Favorite SISter (8137)
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# Posted: 3 Jun 2008 12:35
I will often use it as a base layer on my ATC's (for real playing cards). It makes the shiny surface matte and then takes paint much better. And, when I just use a thin coat, it just puts a thin, "see-through" layer of the card surface so that you can see the numbers and pattern through. This is a cool technique for collaging, too - it helps to blend all the different papers and layers together...
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Pegasus
Big SIS (4041)
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# Posted: 3 Jun 2008 14:40
Wow! I sure got my money's worth with this thread! So much info and so much to try. Thanks so much to everyone for chiming in with all the great ideas and advice. It's gonna have to wait till after SISiversary till I actually try them...or should I bring some gesso with me...
Is it too messy to bring to TN?
Lots to think about.
:0)
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prairieWillow
Favorite SISter (15517)
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# Posted: 3 Jun 2008 14:55
ok, I bought a big ol tub of gesso and it is really really runny.
not thick at all.
like the consistency of say hot fudge or buttermilk.
did I just get junky gesso?
cause I was expecting it to be at think as acrylic paint, in the tubes.
I'm a gesso dummy. lol
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tripletsrajoy
Big SIS (4000)
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# Posted: 3 Jun 2008 15:04
OH I'm glad you started this thread. Just yesterday I was wondering what gesso was! And now I know!
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adripofcoffee
Big SIS (4729)
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# Posted: 3 Jun 2008 15:07
ooh, i'm lovin this. i totally want to go out and get some now!!
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dilnatmom
Style Addict (1310)
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# Posted: 3 Jun 2008 15:46
I finally got some this past weekend but have yet to use it, I will soon!
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Drummergirl
Vogue SISter (3637)
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# Posted: 3 Jun 2008 15:58 - Edited by: Drummergirl
ok, I bought a big ol tub of gesso and it is really really runny.
not thick at all.
like the consistency of say hot fudge or buttermilk.
did I just get junky gesso?
cause I was expecting it to be at think as acrylic paint, in the tubes.
that is gross :(
I've never seen it runny unless of course you are watering it down on purpose. I would take it back and buy a different brand. I usually go and get the heaviest tub :) That just means I get more texture. The watery cheapo stuff is okay, but honestly will probably make your paper all warp like from all the moisture. I CANNOT wait to see what you do with it sweets
:)
-d
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scrapin
Little SISter (46)
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# Posted: 8 Jun 2008 13:30
I use gesso in many ways. One way is to make a layer of gesso on chipboard or cardstock and make it a bit messy. Then I use my distress inks. I'll push the inkpad on a glasplate and spray it with water. Then I take a baby-whipe ( those little wet paper towels to clean babybutts) and with the whipe i'll take some of the ink and smear it on the gesso starting with the lightest color of ink you want to use. It makes lovely backgrounds.
Enjoy!!!
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eirin
Baby SISter (4)
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# Posted: 16 Jun 2008 11:47
I didn't kown gesso exist in black !!
I use the white one and I like it.
Last thing I did with my gesso was to apply it on a tissue (like Kleen**) to get a thick texture on my page, I put color on it with my distress and pastel paintings and I got that
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milkcan
SISter Elle (1744)
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# Posted: 16 Jun 2008 12:20
I think gesso is my most used supply! I use it as a primer on absolutely everything!
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sandritaaaaa
Haute SISter (842)
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# Posted: 16 Jun 2008 13:16
I will often use it as a base layer on my ATC's (for real playing cards). It makes the shiny surface matte and then takes paint much better.
that's what i used it for this weekend-to make atc's
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karenm
Style Maven (506)
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# Posted: 24 Jun 2008 20:45
i also used it on playing cards for atc's.
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ohradiogirl
CosmoGirl SISter (77)
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# Posted: 14 Aug 2008 13:38
Good info. I could do more research or just get some and get going.
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staramaze
Model SISter (2363)
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# Posted: 14 Aug 2008 13:48
Doesn't Gesso come in all sorts of thicknesses too? My Dick Blick store has a neat-o board that shows all the different thicknesses and how they look tinted or not... or is Gesso traditionally one texture and I am thinking in more general "gel medium" terms??
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inkycathy
Stylin' SIS (171)
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# Posted: 14 Aug 2008 13:50
I love gesso too. I use it a lot over backgrounds to give an aged, muted effect. I like the background to show through, so sometimes I will let it dry partially and wipe some off with a baby wipe.
I used to do a really popular thing for my stamping students with it. I would start with a sheet of smooth white cardstock and begin pressing 3 or four different distress ink pads directly on the paper. Keep going, overlapping, until you have covered the paper. (It will look very ugly at this point)! Then swoop some gesso over the whole mess and let it dry). Now you have a whole background page to stamp your favourite images on! I try to work in a grid to make cutting them apart easier, then I use them as focal points on cards. Everyone loved this!
Also, to keep the paper from warping, try coating the reverse of the paper with gesso as well. When both sides are covered, it won't warp, plus it gives your paper the feel of canvas. Very cool.
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caro
Model SISter (2167)
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# Posted: 14 Aug 2008 14:13
tx again for all these great tips - - - - just got a smallish tub on my art shop's annual sale!
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PrincessMoni
Baby SISter (5)
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# Posted: 17 Aug 2008 22:28
I, too, just started using gesso. I bought the white one but I have not used yet and just yesterday, I bought 2 more pots: one with fibers and one with glass beads, which I intend to use on a page I want to enter for the last jack at Scrapjacked.
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jeffsgirl
Style Maven (723)
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# Posted: 18 Aug 2008 03:32
ok, I bought a big ol tub of gesso and it is really really runny.
not thick at all.
like the consistency of say hot fudge or buttermilk.
did I just get junky gesso?
cause I was expecting it to be at think as acrylic paint, in the tubes.
did you get the cheap kind from hobby lobby? i did and its runny too golden is soooooooooo much better it actually gives you some coverage
I want some black too :)
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jeffsgirl
Style Maven (723)
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# Posted: 18 Aug 2008 03:33
Oh ya and if your paper warps you can iron it with a towel over it!!! Low setting. i do this alot when i watercolor!
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