Gesso                                               

You will need:       
200 gram zinc white                                
500 ml distilled water       
40 gram hide glue                             
200 gram ground chalk        
1 pan
wooden spoon or whisk
glass jar with lid water and detergent to clean tools and brushes.            

1. Put 40 gram hide glue in the jar and add 500 ml distilled water.       
2. Close the jar and allow mixture to stand for 24 hours to swell the glue. Pour the glue into a clean pan.       
3. Stir to give an homogeneous mass while heating on a steam bath.            
4. Keep the glue solution warm and stir continually as you add 200 gram zinc white and        
200 gram chalk. Either seive the chalk or remove lumps with vigourous stirring.       

* For oil paint on paper:                                          
Use drawing pins to stretch the paper to be primed on a flat drawing board.       
Warm the gesso gently to keep it liquid.            
Stir regularly to prevent scorching or else use a gluepot.       
Charge a large square brush with the gesso, remove excess on the edge of the pan and brush       
the paper quickle and sparingly with an up-down motion. Coat very thinly.            
After 15 minutes repeat with a side-to-side motion. The primed material must dry for a day       
(not in the sun or near a heat source to avoid cracking).       
Your primed paper is now ready for use.                           

* Tips when making gesso or chalk primer:                           
Besides seiving the gesso, you can also use a hand-held electrical mixer. This homogenises the gesso       
better. To get the right thickness when you’re applying the gesso it’s best to use a glue pot and electrical hotplate.       

For the best result it is very important to keep the gesso at an even temperature.        
* When priming panels, coat with 8 to 10 layers and sand each layer lightly after it has dried.       

* Very good for tempera.                                     
* If needed, conserve with sodium benzoate.