This video shows you how to prepare a wooden board in readiness for painting with either acrylics or oils, using gesso. Gesso is a primer that creates a barrier between the surface and the painting so that nothing can leach through to ruin your masterpiece. Gesso is usually available in white but also comes in black... so the first coat I apply to the board is black, the second coat is white and the third coat I mix together on the board to make grey. You can use any wide, flat brush to apply the coats of gesso and lightly sand between layers. I usually wait 24 hours before starting my painting to ensure the gesso is fully dried. I make sure I clean out my brush thoroughly in warm, soapy water after each coat.
×