For the less artistically inclined in the audience, gesso is essentially a paint that’s been combined with chalk or gypsum to make it thicker. Gesso is generally used to prepare an absorbent ...

it's best to apply a priming paint like gesso to create a protective layer on the surface. This layer allows the color to adhere better and reduces paint absorption. Note that gesso primer ...

They can also be used to apply thick, textured paint directly onto the canvas. Canvas comes in primed or unprimed form. Primed canvas has already been coated with a primer, such as gesso.

Canvas that has been primed will accept the paint more easily. Gesso and acrylic primer comes in jars, tubes, squeezable bottles and even spray cans. Primers come in different consistencies that ...