Matisse Transparent Gesso
is similar to Matisse White Gesso and Matisse Black Gesso only without pigmentation; therefore, giving a transparent (although not altogether clear) flexible primer for canvas, board or even paper with an excellent tooth for easy paint manipulation. If working on canvas, Matisse Transparent Gesso will tighten the canvas, making a firmer ground to paint on.
As a Pastel Primer Matisse Transparent Gesso has been specifically formulated to be mixed with the Matisse Background Colours to give a coloured primer with extra “tooth” for painting and especially as a pastel primer. Mix 1 part MM26 Transparent Gesso with 2 parts Matisse Background Colour (up to equal parts), stir well; the resultant mixture will give a brilliant surface on paper, board or canvas with which to accept and hold pastels including oil pastels.
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Hint: Vary the ratio of Matisse Transparent Gesso mixed with Matisse Background Colour to vary the degree of roughness or “tooth” in the primed surface.)
Folk Artists Although not formulated for Folk Art use, many decorative painters have contacted us to let us know how much they like using this product to prepare craftwood pieces.
We have been told that by applying a coat of this and sanding before your first coat of Matisse Background Colours will help to quickly reduce ‘furry’ routed edges.
You can even apply MatisseTransparent Gesso between coats of Background colours, as it is relatively transparent, and shows little to no brush strokes when applied straight from the bottle. This is useful when you find a particular piece rougher than you expected.
However, you should not use Matisse Transparent Gesso as a top coat.
Further Technical Information MM10 GESSO The main purpose of any gesso is to seal a surface and provide a tooth, or textured layer, for the paint to adhere to. It is sometimes referred to as a primer or ground. MM10 Gesso is an intense white ground that dries to a completely opaque layer with medium tooth. As this product has a very thick texture.
It is recommended that MM10 Gesso be applied with a spatula or blade on canvas. If applying with a brush mix with equal parts water, especially for the first coats when being applied to raw canvas/linen (alternatively use MM27 low viscosity gesso). The application method can also affect the tooth. For a rough textured tooth, apply with a coarse bristled brush. For a smoother finish, apply with a soft bristled flat brush and sand the dried surface lightly with fine grade moist wet/dry sandpa- per after each application. The moisture will minimise the amount of dust created when sanding. Coats take between 1-3 hours to dry, depending upon weather conditions.
If working on canvas, Matisse Gesso will tighten the canvas, making a firmer ground to paint on. Matisse Gessoes are perfect for use as a primer for all paints including oil paints.
MM10 Gesso is suitable for creating a surface for both acrylic and oil paints. When priming for acrylic paints, two coats of gesso are recommended to ensure com- plete coverage. For oil paints, it is advisable to seal the surface first with MM5 Matt Medium or MM12 Clear Sealer, and then apply a minimum of 3 coats of gesso. As the oil in oil paints is readily absorbed by the gesso, a stronger sealed layer is needed to ensure the paint does not absorb through the gesso and onto the actual canvas. Matisse Gessoes contain Calcite grounds (cal- cium carbonate) which help to protect canvas from destructive gases given off by oil paints over their life- span.
Note: Matisse Background Colours are also a highly pig- mented low tooth gesso for use primer when a coloured background is required, suitable for canvas, paper or board.
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