Gesso 101: Everything You Need to Know Before You Start Painting

Before you dip your brush into that dreamy colour palette and start creating your next masterpiece, there’s one simple but essential step you shouldn’t skip—prepping your surface. Think of it like setting the stage before the main act. A well-prepped surface can make all the difference to how your paint behaves, how long your work lasts, and how professional the final piece looks. Now, walk into any art supply store or scroll online, and you'll be greeted by a vast array of primers. With so many options, it can be a little overwhelming. How do you pick the right one?