Gesso Primer for Canvas, Timber & Boards
White, off-white & black • 250ml to 10 litres • Australian made
Solid Solutions Gesso Primer is a professional artist-grade, Australian made, non-toxic, water-based acrylic gesso that seals and primes canvas, timber, MDF, plywood, paper, plaster and boards before you paint. It dries fast to a satin to matte finish with superb tooth, stays flexible, is non-yellowing and works under both acrylic and oil paint. Choose white, off-white or black gesso in sizes from 250ml to 10 litres.
Learn more about choosing & using gesso primer+
White, Off-White or Black Gesso?
White gesso
A bright, clean ground that keeps colours true. The all-round choice for acrylic and oil painting.
Sizes: 250ml, 1L, 4L, 10L
Off-white gesso
A softer ground than bright white, for painters who prefer to start on a less stark surface.
Sizes: 1L
Black gesso
A dark ground for high-contrast work, vivid colours and dramatic backgrounds.
Sizes: 1L, 4L, 10L
Surfaces You Can Prime
Stretched canvasCanvas boardsTimber panelsPlywoodMDFPaper & cardPlasterBrick
How to Apply Gesso
1
Stir the gesso well before use.
2
Make sure the surface is clean, dry and free of dust or grease.
3
On very absorbent surfaces such as raw MDF or timber, thin the first coat with up to 20% water or Solid Solutions Flow Medium.
4
Apply thin, even coats with a wide flat brush or foam roller, alternating the direction of each coat. Let each coat dry fully before the next.
5
Use two coats for acrylic painting and at least three for oil painting. Sand lightly between coats for a smoother finish.
6
Clean brushes and tools with soap and water while the gesso is still wet.
Gesso FAQs
What is gesso used for?+
Gesso is a primer that seals and prepares a surface before painting. It stops canvas, timber and paper soaking up paint unevenly and gives the surface a fine tooth so acrylic and oil paint grip well.
Can I use acrylic paint instead of gesso?+
Not as a proper ground. Gesso is made with binders and fillers that create tooth and controlled absorbency, while acrylic paint is made for colour. Priming with gesso gives better paint adhesion and a more even surface.
Can acrylic gesso be used under oil paint?+
Yes. Once fully dry, acrylic gesso makes a stable ground for oil painting. Apply at least three coats for good sealing.
How many coats of gesso do I need?+
Two coats are usually enough for acrylic painting. For oil painting, apply three or more, especially on absorbent surfaces like raw timber or MDF.
Do I need to gesso a pre-primed canvas?+
Not always. Pre-primed canvas can be painted straight away, but an extra coat or two of gesso lets you control the surface texture and absorbency.
Can gesso be thinned with water?+
Yes. You can thin it with up to 20% water or Solid Solutions Flow Medium. A thinned first coat is useful for sealing very absorbent surfaces.
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Gesso Primer | White 10 Litre
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Gesso Primer | BLACK 10 Litre
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