Loadsa arty stuff, the June McEwan way: How to: Make your own Gesso

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By June McEwan

Put a spoonful of Rabbit Skin Glue Size into a measuring jug
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Put a spoonful of Rabbit Skin Glue Size into a measuring jug
Source: June McEwan
Add water
Add water
Source: June McEwan
Place jug in a pot of water and simmer over a low heat for at least an hour.
Place jug in a pot of water and simmer over a low heat for at least an hour.
Source: June McEwan
When the mix has 'jellified' reheat and stir in chalk, (around 6 heaped dessert spoonfuls)
When the mix has 'jellified' reheat and stir in chalk, (around 6 heaped dessert spoonfuls)
Source: June McEwan
The mix should look like double cream.
The mix should look like double cream.
Source: June McEwan
When cool, the mix will be like bancmange.
When cool, the mix will be like bancmange.
Source: June McEwan
Use the mix warm to paint your support. (Canvas, board, wood panel, paper)
Use the mix warm to paint your support. (Canvas, board, wood panel, paper)
Source: June McEwan
I paint paper with it in readiness for drawing on. It's particularly good teamed with charcoal as there it creates a 'bite' on the paper surface. When preparing canvas and other supports ready for oil/ acrylic painting, you will need at least 3 coats
I paint paper with it in readiness for drawing on. It's particularly good teamed with charcoal as there it creates a 'bite' on the paper surface. When preparing canvas and other supports ready for oil/ acrylic painting, you will need at least 3 coats
Source: June McEwan

Traditional Gesso

June McEwan 8 Mitchell St Crieff PH7 3AG

www.junemcewan.biz

Mob: 0777 187 5443

A simple method for making your own gesso

  1. Add a teaspoonful of rabbit glue size to a pint / ½ a litre of water and leave to soak overnight.



  2. Simmer in a double boiler for an hour or so.



  3. Let the mix cool to check how thick it is. If it has turned to a solid type of jelly, reheat and go to (4). If it is stil watery, reheat and simmer for another hour.



  4. Add Champagene chalk to the warm liquid, a little at a time.



  5. Keep going until the mixture is the consistency of double cream. It should be a consistency that can easily be brushed on like an emulsion paint.



  6. Have your supports laid out flat, ready for painting.



  7. You must use the mix warm. I keep the bowl in the hot water while using it

Recommended reading

The Craftsman's Handbook: "Il Libro dell' Arte"
The Craftsman's Handbook: "Il Libro dell' Arte"
Amazon Price: $3.99
List Price: $9.95

Comments

Jamie Brock profile image

Jamie Brock Level 6 Commenter 7 months ago

Thanks for this! I had no idea you could make Gesso... I also didn't know there was such thing as rabbit glue. Very interesting! I learned about Gesso when I was looking into making old books into art journals. They recommended using Gesso to prime the pages for painting. Thanks for this awesome hub. Voted up and useful.

June McEwan profile image

June McEwan Hub Author 7 months ago

Cheers Jamie!

Glue size is really a strong form of gelatine- which is made from horses hooves etc!

It's still used in art for all sorts of things- also sometimes referred to as gold size because it's the glue they use (traditionaly), to stick gold leaf with. Of course, nowadays, PVA is generally used for everything!

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