How To Make Homemade Gesso

First of all, gesso is a pasty substance used for preparing painting surfaces.

Ever since I started exploring my creative side with art, I discovered the importance of gesso.

The good news is you can make your own gesso at home with these simple steps.

Aside from saving you a trip to your local store, making gesso will also save you cash.

There aren’t a lot of art essential supplies you can make yourself. So why not jump on this opportunity for learning something new.

Gesso can be very expensive, especially if you have to cover many surfaces for your art project.

There are a lot of recipes I have tried, and this one stands out most, here’s how to make gesso at home…

Step 1: Gather All The Material

You first need to get powdered chalk, glue, linseed oil, a jar, something you can use for stirring, and measuring cups.

If the chalk dust will irritate you, get a mask.

All the products could be bought from a local store if you did not already have them.

The capacity you buy depends on how much gesso you are going to make.

But the measuring cup will help get the quantity right.

Step 2: Soak Your Chalk In A Jar

This step is crucial because your chalk has to soak well. Measure at least a quarter of the cup and place it in a jar.

Add water until there is one inch of water above the chalk. Your jar should be sealed and left for a while.

Wait until the chalk is saturated to the maximum.

You can let it rest overnight if you want to achieve the best results.

But one hour is the standard time you have to wait before proceeding to the next step.

There should be not chalk suspended before you disturb the jar.

Step 3: Remove The Water From The Jar

Precision is crucial at this stage.

Pour the water out of the jar without disturbing the chalk at the base.

Avoid pouring the chalk water on your sink to avoid clogging.

You may not get all the water out with the first try.

Wait for it to settle, and then pour the water again.

Repeat the same process until all the water is gone. Your goal is to have fully saturated chalk with zero water.

The more you remove, the better quality gesso you will have at the end.

Step 4: Mix The Gesso

Now the time has come for you to make the final product.

First, add six tablespoons of the linseed oil into the jar with chalk.

Use the same spoon to add two rounds of glue in the mix and stir carefully.

Stir until the solution is consistent and creamy.

If the gesso is too thin for you, you are free to add dry chalk and continue stirring.

But you should know that the dry chalk may cause lumps in your fine solution.

To avoid the possibility of adding dry chalk, take your time in the previous step and get all the water out before you add the other ingredients.

How Do You Make Homemade Gesso?

Making gesso is as easy as one, two, three, four. 

Here’s how to make homemade gesso in 4 steps…

1. First, gather materials.
2. Soak the chalk in water
3. Remove the water completely.
4. Mix with glue and linseed oil.

Make as much as you need to cover your current project and be keen on step three.

How much water you remove will determine how thick your solution is.