What is gesso?

• A. A white paint mixture used as a ground for painting.
• B. A colored pigment used in watercolors.
• C. A glaze technique.
• D. A type of clay used in sculpture.

Answer: (A)

Gesso is the white ground painters apply to prepare a surface for painting. It acts as a primer, sealing the substrate and giving a tooth for the paint to grip. Traditionally it was a mix of chalk or gypsum, white pigment, and glue, spread on wood panels; today most gesso is acrylic-based and can be white or tinted. The layer controls absorbency, prevents paint from sinking in too much, and creates a bright, uniform underlayer that helps colors stay vibrant. It dries hard and can be sanded or lightly textured depending on how thick it's applied. It’s not a pigment used in watercolor, nor a glaze technique, nor clay; it's a primer layer for painting.