Gesso

It tends to appear as a light, even ground layer covering a support.

Visual traits

• light ground surface
• coating over a support
• even surface beneath paint

Expected changes

• A light prepared ground is more likely to appear on the support
• Paint layers are more likely to read as resting over a ground

Definition

Gesso is a material applied to a support such as canvas or panel to prepare a ground for paint. It is not a finished white painting, a particular paint, or an art style.

In more detail

A gesso ground can affect a support's absorbency and surface brightness, helping subsequent paint layers read clearly. Formulation and smoothness vary by product and process.

Includes

• Gesso or ground coating used to prepare a painting support

Excludes

• Oil or gouache paint itself
• a finished white painting
• a particular ground-preparation procedure

What this does not imply

• A particular paint, art style, subject, or region
• An actual conservation procedure

Variability

Color, absorbency, and smoothness vary with formulation and support.

Usage

• Specify it as a support ground; specify subject and style separately

Distinguish similar expressions

• Refers to a ground coating rather than paint itself

Typical uses

• Show a light ground on canvas or panel
• Indicate a prepared support beneath paint layers

Possible failure modes

• It becomes a plain white background rather than a ground
• The relation between paint and ground layers is lost