How to Make Your Own Gesso

Written By Carlyn Clark

History, Science, and 4 Easy Homemade Recipes

Gesso is one of the most versatile tools in a mixed-media artist's studio. I’ve become quite enamored with it lately—starting on upcycled book pages, I discovered it provides a far superior surface for mixed media while preventing paint from bleeding through to the back.

While commercial brands (like Liquitex) work brilliantly, cost adds up fast when you like slathering it on thickly. Below is a deep dive into what gesso actually is, how it works, and how to make your own at home to stretch your studio budget. I’ve included links to what I use. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

What Is Gesso? (A Brief History)

Historically, gesso was crafted by mixing a white pigment or filler—such as calcium carbonate, gypsum, or finely ground chalk—with an animal hide glue binder.

  • The Ground for Classics: In Renaissance times, gesso served as the essential ground for tempera paintings on wood panels and provided the smooth foundation required for gold leaf gilding.

  • Sculptural Relief: Applied thick to wood furniture and picture frames, hardened gesso could be carved, molded, or built up into raised decorative ornamentation.

  • Modern vs. Traditional: Traditional gesso dries rock-hard and brittle, making it ideal for rigid panels but prone to cracking on flexible surfaces. Modern commercial gesso replaces glue with flexible acrylic polymers while maintaining the same chalky mineral base.

The Chemistry of White Fillers

Calcium Carbonate (CaCO₃) is the primary ingredient in chalk, seashells, limestone, and marble. Note that classroom "stick chalk" often uses synthetic binders or plaster, so stick to raw calcium carbonate or climbing chalk. Plaster of Paris (calcined gypsum) serves as an easily accessible alternative when slaked properly.

Pro Application Tips

  • Ditch Expensive Brushes: Gesso is notoriously harsh on natural hair and fine synthetic brushes. Use cheap foam brushes, and consider them disposable.

  • The Credit Card Trick: For an ultrasmooth finish without brushstrokes, scrape the gesso onto your paper or canvas using an old plastic credit card or gift card.

How to Make Your Own DIY Gesso

Below are four methods ranging from basic studio hacks to historical adaptations.

Storage & Safety Warnings

  • Contamination Warning: Never dip a used brush directly into your master storage container. Pour out only what you need onto a palette and discard any leftover mixture. DIY gesso lacks heavy chemical preservatives and can rot or turn rancid if contaminated.

  • Storage: Keep your gesso in an airtight glass or plastic jar. If it dries out over time, stir in a few drops of warm water.

Method 1: Slaked Plaster & White Glue

Best for a smooth, traditional matte priming surface on board or heavy paper.

Ingredients:

Step-by-Step Instructions:

  1. Slake the Plaster of Paris: Mix 1 part Plaster of Paris with 4 parts cold water. Allow the plaster to settle completely to the bottom, then pour off the clear water on top. Add fresh water, mix, and let it settle again. Repeat this process 3 times. (Note: The slaking process neutralizes the chemical reaction. If the mixture feels warm to the touch, repeat the process until it stays cool.)

  2. Dry and Grind: Scoop the settled plaster out onto a drying tray and let it dry completely. Once dry, break up any chunks and grate it into a fine powder using a standard kitchen cheese grater.

  3. Mix the Base: Combine 3 parts slaked plaster powder with 1 part white PVA glue. Add a few drops of honey per tablespoon of mixture (honey acts as a natural plasticizer to retain slight moisture and flexibility). Mix thoroughly until it reaches the consistency of smooth pancake batter.

  4. Tint (Optional): If you prefer tinted or black gesso rather than stark white, fold in a small amount of acrylic paint, gouache, or watercolor pigment at this stage.

Method 2: Dextrin & Plaster Paste

Best for dimensional, raised decorative work, frame molding, or heavy texture.

Ingredients:

Step-by-Step Instructions:

  1. Prepare the Dextrin Liquid: In a bowl, dissolve 1 cup of yellow dextrin powder into 1 tbsp of hot water to create a concentrated binder solution.

  2. Build the Paste: In a separate bowl, mix 1 tsp of your dextrin solution, 1 tsp of white craft glue, and 1 tbsp of patching plaster. Stir thoroughly until a stiff, viscous paste forms.

  3. Apply Dimensional Details: Spoon the paste into a pastry bag fitted with a 1/4-inch piping tip. Pipe raised decorative accents onto frames, panels, or art pieces. Allow at least 2 hours to dry before painting.

  4. Convert to Canvas Primer (Optional): To convert this paste into a brushable liquid gesso for canvas or paper, blend in 1/4 cup of hot water until smooth.

Method 3: Chalk & Glue (The Simple Recipe)

The quickest historical reproduction using readily available art or sports supplies.

Ingredients:

Step-by-Step Instructions:

  1. Skip the tedious plaster slaking process entirely by starting with pure calcium carbonate or loose climbing chalk.

  2. Blend 3 parts fine chalk powder into 1 part white glue.

  3. Slowly add warm water a splash at a time until you reach a creamy, brushable texture.

Method 4: Modern Adaptation of Cennino Cennini’s Recipe

For a deep dive into authentic 15th-century techniques, reference Tom Irizarry’s article on adapting Cennino Cennini’s Il Libro dell'Arte for the modern studio, which details traditional hide glue sizing and gesso preparations.

Have you experimented with making your own art grounds or altering historical recipes? Drop your favorite ratios and questions in the comments below!

Carlyn Clark
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