Artist Gesso & Acrylic Primers

Prepare Painting Surfaces with Acrylic Gesso

Gesso creates a stable ground for acrylic and oil painting. It helps seal porous surfaces and gives paint a consistent surface to grip. Apply it to clean surfaces that are free from dust and grease. A broad brush works well for most applications. Several thin coats usually create a more even result than one heavy coat. Allow each layer to dry before adding the next. You can also sand between coats when you want a smoother painting surface. Always follow the directions on the selected product. Dilution, drying time and the recommended number of coats vary across the range.

Choose White or Black Gesso

White Gesso creates a bright, neutral base. It supports accurate colour mixing and helps transparent colours retain their brightness. Use it for canvas, art boards, plaster, concrete and other suitable surfaces. Choose it when you want a traditional ground for acrylic or oil painting. Black Gesso creates a deep, dark base. It works well for dramatic paintings, night scenes, metallic colours and artwork that uses the ground as part of the final design. Both professional options provide strong tooth and adhesion. They also form a flexible, water-resistant and UV-resistant surface after drying.

Create Smooth Surfaces with Fluid Gesso

Fluid Gesso has a lower viscosity than standard gesso. It spreads easily and helps artists create a smoother painting surface. Apply several thin coats when you want an even ground with fewer visible brush marks. Light sanding between coats can create an even finer finish. Fluid Gesso suits detailed painting, illustration and techniques that benefit from a smooth surface. The current range includes 250ml and 1-litre options.

Build Texture with Heavy Body Gesso

Heavy Body Gesso has a thicker consistency. It creates a more dimensional surface with visible brush or tool marks. Use it when you want the prepared ground to contribute texture to the finished artwork. Apply it with a broad brush, palette knife or suitable painting tool. Build deeper texture gradually. Let each coat dry before adding another layer. The firm surface provides strong tooth for acrylic and oil paint. It also supports expressive brushwork and textured painting techniques.

Choose Studio Gesso for Larger Projects

Studio Gesso offers an economical white primer for regular surface preparation. It suits artists, schools, workshops and shared studios. The larger one-litre and four-litre options provide practical coverage for multiple canvases and bigger projects. Apply two coats when preparing a surface for acrylic painting. Use additional coats where the surface or painting technique requires them. For oil painting, follow the full preparation instructions on the product page before applying colour.

Australian-Made Gesso for Acrylic and Oil Painting

Global Colours makes its gesso primers in Marrickville, Sydney. The water-based formulas use acrylic polymer and suit both acrylic and oil surface preparation. The range includes sizes for individual artists, classrooms and high-volume studios. Available sizes vary by product, from compact 250ml containers through to selected ten-litre options. Explore Global Colours Acrylic Paints after preparing your surface. You can also use Mediums, Gels and Pastes to adjust paint flow, transparency and texture as you work.