Prep

Gesso

Liquitex Gesso is a classic titanium white acrylic ground to prepare your surface and add a high level of tooth. 

• A premium acrylic gesso used to prepare painting surfaces for acrylic and oil paint.

What it does

• Primes surfaces and adds a high level of tooth for maximum colour adhesion and stability

• Gives a matte white, opaque finish which provides a professional standard, archival base to help maintain the longevity of your work

• Stiffens your canvases and creates the optimum absorbency for paint application

• Establishes a good surface for preliminary charcoal or pencil drawings

• Always use a quality artist's gesso if you want a lasting, archival base - a low-cost ground will flake and separate from your support, taking your work with it. With proper application and under the right conditions, a professional gesso will last generations

Application

• Fully intermixable with all Liquitex products

• Use undiluted or thin with up to 25% water - when thinning more than 25%, use an equal mixture of water and Liquitex Matte Medium

• Sand hard or shiny surfaces first, apply a thin coat to support with a wide, flat brush and leave to dry for at least 24 hours before starting to paint

• To create a smoother base, sand the surface and reapply gesso

• If using as a base for oils, apply 2-4 coats and sand between applications

• Add acrylic colour for a custom tint - Soft Body Acrylic is the optimum consistency

Use with

• Graphite, pencil & charcoal

• Chalk & oil pastels

• Acrylic & oil paints/mediums

Use on

• Raw canvas

• Hardboard & paper

• Wood & non-oily, porous supports

Clear Gesso

Liquitex Clear Gesso is a ground that keeps the working surface visible whilst providing a high level of tooth. Clear gesso provides an ideal degree of tooth for pastel, oil pastel, graphite and charcoal as well as an excellent ground for acrylic and oil paints. This gesso is ideal for painting over coloured or patterned surfaces or over an under drawing. Mix with a colour to establish a tinted transparent/translucent ground. Dries clear to translucent depending on thickness. One coat is usually enough.

What it does

• Primes surfaces and adds a high level of tooth for maximum colour adhesion and stability

• Gives a transparent matte finish which allows the original surface to show through and provides a professional standard, archival base to help maintain the longevity of your work

• Stiffens your canvases and creates the optimum absorbency for paint application

• Establishes a suitable surface for preliminary charcoal or pencil drawings

• Always use a quality artist's gesso if you want a lasting, archival base - a low-cost ground will flake and separate from your support, taking your work with it. With proper application and under the right conditions, a professional gesso like this will last generations

Application

• Fully intermixable with all Liquitex products

• Use undiluted or thin with up to 25% water - when thinning more than 25%, use an equal mixture of water and Liquitex Matte Medium

• Sand hard or shiny surfaces first, apply a thin coat to support (avoiding overbrushing) with a wide, flat brush and leave to dry for at least 24 hours before starting to paint

• To create a smoother base, sand the surface and reapply gesso

• If using as a base for oils, apply 2-4 coats and sand between applications

• Add a transparent/semi-opaque acrylic colour for a custom sheer tint - Soft Body Acrylic is the optimum consistency

Use with

• Graphite, pencil & charcoal

• Chalk & oil pastels

• Acrylic & oil paints/mediums

Use on

• Raw canvas

• Coloured & patterned supports

• Hardboard & paper

• Wood & non-oily, porous supports

Super Heavy Gesso

Liquitex Super Heavy Gesso is a heavy structured, titanium white acrylic ground providing maximum tooth to your surface. Provides all the attributes of traditional acrylic gesso and ideal for thick 3D and sculptural application with a knife or brush.

What it does

• Gives a textured matte white, opaque finish which provides a professional standard, archival base to help maintain the longevity of your work

• Adds 3D texture and acts as an ideal base for thick sculptural shape and weight

• Primes surfaces and adds maximum tooth for maximum colour adhesion and stability

• Stiffens canvases and creates the optimum absorbency for paint application

• Always use a quality artist's gesso if you want a lasting, archival base - a low-cost ground will flake and separate from your support, taking your work with it. With proper application and under the right conditions, a professional gesso like this will last generations

Application

• Fully intermixable with all Liquitex products

• Can be thinned with Liquitex Gesso

• Sand hard or shiny surfaces first, apply to support with a knife/brush and leave to dry for at least 24 hours before starting to paint

• Add acrylic colour for a custom tint - Soft Body Acrylic is the optimum consistency

Use with

• Acrylic & oil paints/mediums

• Chalk & oil pastels

• Graphite, pencil & charcoal

Use on

• Raw canvas

• Hardboard & paper

• Wood & non-oily, porous supports

Black Gesso

Liquitex Black Gesso is a pre-mixed black acrylic ground to prepare your surface and add instant color.

What it does​

• It contains a blend of pigments to give a matte black, opaque base which instantly eliminates your surface color and allows you to build depth 

• Primes surfaces and adds a high level of tooth for maximum color adhesion and stability

• Stiffens your canvases and creates the optimum absorbency for paint application, providing a professional standard, archival base to help maintain the longevity of your work

• Establishes a suitable surface for preliminary charcoal or pencil drawings

• Always use a quality artist's gesso if you want a lasting, archival base - a low-cost ground will flake and separate from your support, taking your work with it. With proper application and under the right conditions, a professional gesso like this will last generations

Application

• Fully intermixable with all Liquitex products

• Can be thinned with Liquitex Gesso

• Sand hard or shiny surfaces first, apply to support with a knife/brush and leave to dry for at least 24 hours before starting to paint

• Add acrylic colour for a custom tint - Soft Body Acrylic is the optimum consistency

Use with

• Acrylic & oil paints/mediums

• Chalk & oil pastels

• Graphite, pencil & charcoal

Use on

• Raw canvas

• Hardboard & paper

• Wood & non-oily, porous supports