Gamblin Traditional Gesso

Traditionally, gesso (Italian for "gypsum") was applied only to panels. Gamblin's Traditional Gesso is a classic absorbent ground for oil panels which, when mixed with water, forms a luminous painting surface.

Most "modern" gessos use an acrylic binder. This traditional gesso uses an oil binder. Use it to recreate the traditional supports and surfaces used by panel painters for hundreds of years. Gamblin Traditional Gesso is a dry mixture of rabbit skin glue, gypsum, marble dust, and titanium dioxide.

Robert Gamblin recommends applying four coats of this traditional gesso to both sides of thin or poorly braced panels. Gamblin Traditional Gesso is too brittle to use with fabric supports.