"Liquitex black gesso for priming" Topic

I hate using spray paint – and the weather rarely cooperates anyway. I've been reading a lot of threads about Liquitex black gesso as a primer/undercoat.

Unless something has changed with the product over the last few years – it seems ideal for brush-on priming.

Can anyone point me to the correct bottle to buy on Amazon.com?

Thanks!

link

Although I use gray and buy it from a local craft store (Michaels) with a 40 or 50 percent off coupon.

Same. Get mine at Michaels. Great stuff have used it for priming for the last three years.

I inherited a large bottle of the Bob Ross black gesso and it works wonderfully on both plastic and metal.

Dave,

Not knowing exactly in the US where you are located, but if there is a Michael's or Hobby Lobby close, you can get Liquidtex gesso from them. As with others, I use gray. I've tried black but with my "old" eyes, I just can't see the detail enough to get a good result.

If you have to order through Amazon, then I'd suggest the surface prep type. That's the one that seems to work best for me.

Or you can get the Bob Ross brand, which is what I use now as I've had a hard time finding Liquidtex gray gesso. I think I got my latest bottle at Hobby Lobby.

Jim

I use the Bob Ross black gesso as well. Liquitex white gesso on occasion. It has literally transformed my painting. So much better than stinky sprays.

You can mail order through Blicks Art Supply. Huge selection and fast service.

All of the above are great suggestions. As a note, I used Gesso for years because I preferred a brush-on primer. (And it works very well) After trying Vallejo Surface primer, however, I realized how rough the surface Gesso leaves and how thick the coating. There is a world of difference when doing faces, for example.

Gesso works (and I still use it for terrain), but you do have brush-on alternatives.

Thanks all – I guess I will do an experiment and see how I like them!

I can't stand the Gesso white for anything requiring a flat surface. Noticeable ridges and texture to the primer. Use it for terrain and it's a great usable primer, but I airbrush Vallejo primer and it is so much smoother coating.

I've used Liquitex white gesso. It's true that it doesn't look very smooth and even on flat surfaces but I've never noticed a problem with the final result. However, I'm about to embark on painting some 6mm figures and will try the Vallejo surface primer.

I use all the Liquitex Gessos as my main primer (standard/White, colored/Gray and Black, Clear). I usually brush but sometimes airbrush (usually white or gray). Haven't noticed an issue with the texture. Clear Gesso does have a rougher feel than the others, but it smoothes out with a layer of paint. Note, this is the regular Gesso … Liquitex has a student version called Basics Gesso, which I haven't tried as I assume there is a cost/quality compromise.

Most art supply stores carry Liquitex paint products, and many craft stores. Examples: Michael's, Joanne's Fabrics, Dick Blick, Utrecht, Hobby Lobby, Aaron's.

If you search TMP for keywords "Liquitex Gesso" you'll find a lot of posts.

My Vallejo Surface Primer arrived. Now to let it warm to room temperature (cold as hell out!) and try it tomorrow!

Thanks for this! I've ordered the Bob Ross black gesso and will try it out.

For those who've seen that gesso is thick, does a little water help with that?

Very little water, if any at all (because the gesso shrinks into a film as it dries.) Just be sure to shake/mix it well before using it.