What is gesso?

• A. Gesso - water-based white paint mixture used to prepare the support
• B. A type of varnish
• C. A primer for metal
• D. A synthetic resin

Answer: (A)

Gesso is a white, water-based ground applied to a painting support to prime it for painting. It seals the surface, provides a slight tooth for paint to grip, and dries to a firm, smooth layer. Traditional gesso is a mix of chalk/gypsum with a binder (historically glue; modern forms often use acrylic). It’s typically brushed onto canvas or wooden panels in thin coats, sometimes sanded between coats for a uniform underlayer. This primer purpose distinguishes it from varnishes or resins, and it’s not used as a primer for metal. So the description of gesso as a water-based white paint mixture used to prepare the support fits best.