Black and grey gesso prepare a support while establishing a starting tone for your painting. A black ground makes light marks stand out and can remain visible in shadows or between brushstrokes. It encourages you to build form by adding light rather than beginning with a white surface. A grey ground provides a middle tone against which to compare lighter and darker values as you work. The primer’s colour also influences subsequent layers: transparent paint reveals more of the ground, while opaque colours cover it more readily. Beyond colour, choose a formula compatible with your support and painting technique. The gesso’s tooth and consistency contribute to the grip and texture of the prepared surface. Testing your colours on a sample helps you anticipate their appearance over a dark or neutral base before developing the composition. Follow the product’s application and drying instructions. Find other foundations in our primers collection, then explore colour-handling and finishing options in our mediums, varnishes, and resins selection.
Black and grey gesso prepare a support while establishing a starting tone for your painting. A black ground makes light marks stand out and can remain visible in shadows or between brushstrokes. It encourages you to build form by adding light rather than beginning with a white surface. A grey ground provides a middle tone against which to compare lighter and darker values as you work. The primer’s colour also influences subsequent layers: transparent paint reveals more of the ground, while opaque colours cover it more readily. Beyond colour, choose a formula compatible with your support and painting technique. The gesso’s tooth and consistency contribute to the grip and texture of the prepared surface. Testing your colours on a sample helps you anticipate their appearance over a dark or neutral base before developing the composition. Follow the product’s application and drying instructions. Find other foundations in our primers collection, then explore colour-handling and finishing options in our mediums, varnishes, and resins selection.
