What describes painting on wood surfaces?

• A. Gesso cannot be applied to wood.
• B. Wood is flexible and doesn’t require priming.
• C. Wood is rigid and should be primed; Gesso can be applied.
• D. It should be varnished before painting.

Answer: (D)

When painting on wood, you prepare the surface with a primer to control how the paint will behave and to give it something to grip. Gesso is a traditional primer for wood panels because it seals the grain, evens out absorbency, and provides a bit of tooth for the paint to bite into. Since wood is rigid, priming helps prevent uneven color and keeps the paint from sinking in too much or cracking as it dries. Because of that, applying gesso to wood is a standard, effective step before painting.

Varnish, on the other hand, is a protective finish used after the werk is done to seal and shield the surface. Applying varnish before painting would create a slick, non-porous layer that makes it hard for the paint to adhere properly, which is not desirable. So the best approach is to prime the wood with gesso to build a good ground for painting.