How to Prepare Encaustic Gesso

 
Encaustic Gesso
 

Another thing that has come up in questions is Encaustic Gesso.

For us here in Europe, it is pricey and/or difficult to get (especially now with Brexit).

There are a number of solutions. You can substitute Chalk paint or milk paint. Or you can make your own encaustic gesso! It’s a really easy process and you can do a traditional type gesso using Rabbit skin glue  using either a traditional or a fast recipe.

Here are the 2 recipes. I am totally in love with experimenting and I have used for years with no issues!

It is an easy process. Those of us in Europe will know how hard it has been to get Encaustic supplies but this recipe is as old as the hills and has been in use for many centuries.

How to Prepare Encaustic Gesso

HERE IS WHAT YOU NEED for both methods:

  • Best quality Rabbit skin glue from an Art supply store

  • Filler, chalk, calcium carbonate or clay: the finer the better

  • A glass jar from 250 to 500 ml will be ok (jam or vegetables glasses are great since they have a wide opening)

  • Water (boiled or just from the tap)

  • Flat brush suitable for water-color, a good hake brush is our first option

  • A wooden stirrer

Method 1: The Traditional Way
The day before…

  • Fill the glass jar with lukewarm water (body temperature 37ºC)

  • Add filler, calcium Carbonate or Clay till you get a white liquid similar to skimmed milk

  • Add a levelled tablespoon of hide glue granulate for every 150ml liquid (more or less)

Close it, shake a little and keep it in the fridge overnight.
The next day…

  • Open the jar and throw away the remaining liquid ( if any water is remaining on top of the “jelly”)

  • Place the jar in a pot with water and heat it till the water boils, switch it off and let it stand 10-20 minutes. Do not stir.

  • Also do not let the gesso boil. If you do, it ruins the adhesion quality of the gesso.

Your gesso is ready and should be applied while warm AS IT WILL BE SOLID WHEN COLD.

How to apply gesso:

Traditionally 7 layers of Gesso are used to make a very fine surface. You can use less if you wish.

  • Prepare the panels to be grounded, they should be clean. Sand a little to lightly score the surface Protect the edges with masking tape if required. Place the panels a little bit tilted.

  • Switch the heat on again and stir slowly with a wooden stirrer until the white mixture is totally fluid (remember: milk consistency) DO NOT BOIL!

First 2 layers…

  • First and second layers: Apply the liquid (is very liquid) in the same way you would apply an ink wash, from top to bottom in horizontal continuous strokes. Remove exceed at the bottom line with kitchen paper. Move to the next panel and do exactly the same thing. Next layer should be applied before the previous one is completely dry; layers are to be applied alternating directions, this meaning rotating the panel 90º each layer.

Next layers…

  • Third and fourth layers: Add more filling, calcium carbonate or clay to the jar and heat it again, stir slowly. The liquid should be now a little more dense than skimmed milk and with no bubbles. Apply two more layers of the preparation as we did in layers 1-2.

Next 5 & 6 layers…

  • Fifth and sixth layers: Add more filler, calcium carbonate or clay to the jar and heat it again, stir slowly. The liquid should be now like a milkshake and still with no bubbles. Apply two more layers of the preparation.

  • Seventh layer as before and a light sanding.

  • If your panel looks OK now for you, you can stop here – STOP. If not you can go with the procedure on till you find it right for you.

  • Make sure the gesso is completely dry before you start working on it. Depending on the temperature and humidity of where you are, this could be a few days to over a week

How to finish your panels:

Your panels should be now already perfectly smooth and you do not need to sand them if you do not want to. I recommend you leave them how they are for the time being and perhaps sand them just before you use them in case they scratched or stained with dust while they were stored.

Extra tips:

If you are working with bigger panels it is a good idea to apply the first layer on the back side of the panel, in this way you will compensate the 1 sided grounded wood tendency to warp. Make an asterisk shape with the gesso from each corner and then from the sides ..this will make the panel hold its shape and not warp.

Any unused gesso can be refrigerated and kept for 5 days.

Method 2: The Short Way

The second way is much faster and for my personal style of painting works well.

  • Mix one part RSG crystals with 10 parts water in a double boiler (DO NOT HEAT YET)

  • Soak overnight.

  • Heat the mixture in the double boiler but DO NOT BOIL.

  • Stir until all the crystals are dissolved and if you dip 2 fingers in the glue, it should feel very slightly tacky.

  • Add one part whiting or chalk to one part glue mixture and stir slowly until there are no lumps DO NOT WHIP IT UP, YOU WANT TO INTRODUCE AS LITTLE AIR AS POSSIBLE INTO THE MIX.

  • The gesso is ready to use, apply as above but it will be slightly thicker and I think a couple of coats may be enough.

If you want a whiter gesso, substitute some Titanium white powder for some of the chalk.

Refrigerate the unused portion and use within a week.

Lee L