{"id":469,"date":"2011-03-18T09:00:01","date_gmt":"2011-03-18T13:00:01","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/encausticartist.com\/?p=469"},"modified":"2025-01-29T13:51:13","modified_gmt":"2025-01-29T18:51:13","slug":"encaustic-gesso","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/allthingsencaustic.com\/encaustic-gesso\/","title":{"rendered":"The What, Why, & How of Encaustic Gesso"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

This post was originally written by Victoria Wallace and published on March, 18, 2011. It has been expanded and rewritten by Ruth Maude, January 28, 2025<\/p>\n\n\n\t\t\t\t

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  1. What is Encaustic Gesso?<\/a>
  2. The Basics of Gesso<\/a>
  3. Why can't I use acrylic gesso with encaustic?<\/a>
  4. Why use encaustic gesso to prepare a substrate?<\/a>
  5. How to Apply Gesso:<\/a><\/ol>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\n\n
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    What is Encaustic Gesso?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    When diving into the world of encaustic painting, you\u2019ll encounter the term \u201cencaustic gesso\u201d a primer specifically formulated to create an ideal surface for wax application. Understanding its purpose and benefits is helpful for any artist exploring this medium.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Let\u2019s take a closer look.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The Basics of Gesso<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Gesso, in general, is a primer used to prepare a surface (often canvas or wood) for painting. It creates a slightly textured ground that helps paint adhere better. Traditional gesso typically contains a mixture of binder (like acrylic polymer or rabbit skin glue), chalk, and pigment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Why can’t I use acrylic gesso with encaustic?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Acrylic gesso might seem like a convenient option, but it\u2019s not suitable for encaustic painting. Here\u2019s why:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Acrylic paint, including acrylic gesso, is made from pigment, water, and tiny particles of plastic acrylic resin. As the paint dries, the resin particles bond together to form a durable, plasticky finish. Wax won\u2019t adhere properly to this non-porous, smooth surface, leading to issues with flaking or peeling over time. Encaustic gesso, on the other hand, is specifically designed to provide the porous and absorbent ground that encaustic painting demands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    In Joanne Mattera’s book The Art of Encaustic Painting<\/em>, one artist claims to have seen the wax of a completed encaustic painting slide right off of the acrylic gesso!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Why use encaustic gesso to prepare a substrate?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    R&F Handmade Paints<\/a> makes a very good Encaustic gesso that allows us to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n