What is Black Gesso used for?

​Use black gesso for both oil and acrylic paintings.

​"Black gesso is a type of primer or base coat used in painting. It is a water-based acrylic paint that contains pigment and a binder, typically made from a combination of acrylic polymer, calcium carbonate, and water.  It can be used to uncoat and prepare canvas and surfaces for both  for Acrylic and Oils Paints.

​In 1955, Henry Levison developed a contemporary variant of gesso using calcium carbonate, pigment, and acrylic polymer, which he named Liquitex. He coined the phrase "a perfect blend of liquid and texture" to describe it. Liquitex has a thinner consistency than white acrylic paint and hardens as it dries.

Why use a Black Gesso?

Artists use Black Gesso to achieve a high contrast effect with a dark background, as well as to cover up imperfections that might not be visible on a lighter surface. The Black Gesso makes a strong visual impact on the surface it covers, making it a popular choice for creating moody and dark paintings.

​Moreover, Black Gesso is excellent for toning the canvas, providing a darker base for painting. This can produce stunning visual effects, offering artists a versatile tool for their creative expression.

Does the FAS Black Gesso offer the same protective properties?
​
The FAS Gesso formulation is the same for the Black and White, only the colour is different.  The Black Gesso still seals, undercoats and primes to protect your final artwork, just like the White Gesso. 

Learn More about Painting with Gesso >>

Paint in Black, use less paint and Save Money:

One significant point is when you are planning to paint a darker moody painting over a white Gesso primed canvas.  You will end up using a lot more paint. Because you are starting on a stark white background, you will need to layer the canvas with coat after coat of paint to get the same effect. 
Save Money, Paint it Black.

Tint your White Gesso to the colour mood of your painting:
​
Also, remember, you can also tint the White Gesso with an acrylic colour like red or blue,  so you already have the mood on the canvas before you even apply any paint.  

Happy Painting:
I hope this helps you. 
Feel free to let me know in the comments if you have helpful tips and hints we can pass on to others.
Thanks
Tony Parker
​

[ FAS Gesso ]

What is a Gesso
Gesso (pronounced 'jesso '), is a primer, sealer or undercoat. Artists sometimes apply it to a surface before painting on it. The word Gesso is Italian for "chalk" or from the Latin 'gypsum'.
It is usually a white paint mixture consisting of a binder mixed with chalk, gypsum, pigment, or any combination of these. In short, it looks a lot like paint but dries to a chalky finish.

The most popular formulation is water-based, which is suitable for use as a primer and undercoat for acrylic and oil-based paints. Other than paint, Gesso is the most used product in an artist's studio.

NB: Don't use to undercoat water-based tempera school poster paint.

Why use a Gesso?
It is used as an undercoat to intensify colours and extend the lasting durability of your work.
Gesso seals absorbent surfaces, and it offers the surface a little more texture (tooth), so the paint sticks better. It also helps to prevent an uneven appearance and excessive fast drying resulting from paint penetration, much like a primer is used under exterior house paint.

But FAS Gesso differs from regular house paint primers by making the surface a little stiffer. Houses are solid surface that does move, but artists paint on a cotton canvas which is a flexible moving surface. 

FAS Gesso is used in artwork as a preparation for any number of substrates such as wood panels, canvas and sculpture as a base for paint and other materials that are applied over it.

How to use FAS Gesso:
As with all paintings, surface preparation is everything.
Paint thin layers. The lasting quality of your finished painting is only as good as the preparation of the surface and undercoating that you apply underneath the paint.  Even if you have a pre-primed canvas, it is recommended that you still Gesso more than one coat.   Please make sure to stir before use. 
FAS Gesso can be applied directly from the bottle/jar.

​Try to paint thinner rather than thicker. Two or three thin layers are better than one thick coating. Try to work quickly. If you do go back over an area, streaks may develop.

Dampening your brush with water before you begin will help prevent air bubbles from forming on the surface.

Keep a ‘wet’ working edge moving as you move across your surface. Try to paint with short, even strokes. Typically two to three coats are enough, but some artists’ looking for a denser white finish can paint up to six thin layers.    It is vital to allow the Gesso to dry completely between layers.

Gesso Sanding:
Light Sanding with sandpaper between layers
Light sand with a light grade sandpaper between coats may offer a better rough surface or tooth and last ability.

 
Tinting Gesso
Create the mood of your painting early.
Try tinting your Gesso. If you plan to paint a sunset, try tinting a white Gesso with a red acrylic to give your painting a ‘pink sunset mood tone’ even before you start to paint. The same thing for a cool feeling to your painting; tint your Gesso with blue paint for a cold mood.​​

​Here's a fun art lesson that students will enjoy.
​Create cardboard prints using simple materials that you can find in your classroom.

You will need:
Cardboard
Scissors and glue
Roller and paint
FAS Student Acrylic
FAS Studio Ink

​To start, cut out shapes from cardboard and glue them onto another piece of card to form a picture or design. 

For this project, we will build up the cardboard print base with multiple layers of cardboard for a more intricate design.

When the glue has dried FAS Student Acrylic or FAS Studio Ink Ink is rolled onto the cardboard print base, and then paper is pressed onto that to pick up the print.

​Cardboard Prints with Student Acrylic

Alternatively, paper is placed on the clean print base. The roller is emptied of almost all paint by rolling on scrap paper; then it is rolled firmly onto the paper to make the print. The print base will show through, just like in a crayon rubbing.