For a smooth, brilliant white surface, nothing equals traditional Rabbitskin Glue Gesso. Acrylic "gesso" is nothing like this.
Ingredients:
| equal parts of whiting, zinc oxide, rabbitskin glue solution |
- Blend the dry pigments together and add a small amount of the warmed glue solution; work out the lumps before you add more glue.
- You can avoid working in air bubbles by keeping the glue no warmer than tap water.
- Let the finished gesso stand in a warm water bath for half an hour before using.
How to use:
Brush denatured alcohol over the smooth side and edges of untempered Masonite panels and let them dry. Then brush the warm gesso solution onto the panels in one direction without working over with further brushstrokes. After the coat becomes dull, apply subsequent coats in opposite directions, lightly sanding between layers. You'll need as many as five coats for a brilliant surface. Allow them to dry for two days, then finish with 300 sandpaper, finishing off with as smooth as #2000 sandpaper for an ivory sheen. You can also rub the panel with a ball of dampened cloth for an ivory surface (requires practice but worth the effort).
