Matisse Artists Transparent Gessos

Matisse Artists Transparent Gesso is the perfect choice for preparing surfaces for pastel artworks. It is a pastel primer that has been specifically formulated for combining with the Matisse Background Colours. This gives artists a coloured primer with extra tooth for pastel artworks, and even for painting.

To use, mix 1 part Matisse Artists Transparent Gesso with 2 parts Matisse Background Colour (up to equal parts) and stir well. Varying the ratio will affect the roughness and tooth of the primed surface, so you can experiment with ratios to find your ideal working surface texture! Using this mixture of Transparent Gesso and Background Colour will give a brilliant surface for pastel and oil pastel artworks, whether it’s used on paper, board, or canvas.

If working on canvas, note that Matisse Artists Transparent Gesso will tighten the canvas, making a firmer ground to paint on.

If used on its own, Matisse Artists Transparent Gesso will dry transparent, though not entirely clear, as a flexible primed layer on your surface. It gives excellent tooth for improved colour adhesion and easy paint manipulation.