TLC217 Gesso Resist {4/20/09}

[Lynn in St. Louis]

Hi Technique Lovers! I hope you're ready for another fun and unique way to spruce up your cards and scrapbook pages. Today's technique comes to us directly from SCS's resourced pages and is brought to us by Lydia Fiedler who presented her Gesso Resist Technique. While Gesso may not be something that you normally have in your craft supplies, it really in a vital addition which once you have it, you'll wonder how you did without it. I use Gesso as a preparatory application for chipboard or other alterables before adding paper or paint.

Here's some information on Gesso that I found on the web:
Gesso is an art supply used as surface preparation or primer for painting, gilding, and sculpting. Its origins are uncertain, but gesso is believed to have been developed in Italy, since the word gesso is Italian for 'chalk'. Preparation varies according to intended use, but usually consists of mixing glue with plaster, chalk, or gypsum.

If you would like to learn more about Gesso, please check out Mel McCarthy's blog post HERE

In last week's hint, I mentioned that you would need some Gesso, which can be found at any art supply store, Michael's and probably other locations, so if you have your supplies, let's get started.

To view the complete tutorial, CLICK HERE.

I would recommend using a magazine page that is heavier quality, such as those in "Martha Stewart Living" or a similar quality magazine. While you can use a thinner page from a magazine, I think you will have better results from a page with a little more "substance" to it.

If you would like to see many cards already created using this technique, CLICK HERE

To view my sample using today's technique, CLICK HERE

To be directed to the TLC217 Gallery, CLICK HERE

As always, be sure to use the keyword TLC217 (no spaces) when you upload your projects so that we can all enjoy your creativity.

HINT FOR NEXT WEEK: Don't loose your marbles because we're gonna need them for next week's technique!

[jamielynn2126]

wow i cant believe i'm first! i hope i have time for this today!!!

[Vicky Gould]

Been gone for a week - no gesso here - ya'll have fun!!!

[Mrs Nickel]

I love your card, Lynn! I don't have any gesso, but when I get some I will post to this challenge thread later! We don't have an art supply store here, the closest is an hour away! OHWELL!

[bensarmom]

No Gesso here either........will be fun to see what others come up with. Thanks Lynn.

[dawnmercedes]

I've got gesso...but maybe not the time to get that messy! thanks for the challenge...I'll see what I can do!

[NANCYRUTH]

I DO have Gesso at home, I am at my Moms.... maybe I will combine this with the CC tomorrow, it looks like a very cool technique!!!

[Stampingdeedee]

Gotta go get some gesso!

[priscillastyles]

gesso...got to try this gesso out...hmmm? what fun!!

[krischir]

Just wanted to let everyone know that I bought my gesso at Walmart. I got it a couple months ago when this technique was featured. Just thought that might be helpful to anyone who doesn't live close to a craft store.

[GardenDiva]

http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/ga...319088?cat=613

Well here is my card................such as it is ! HA HA My gesso is at a wonderful state if you want to add texture to a painting or seal cracks in raw wood....but for this delicate operation...I need NEW gesso. I had to water mine down a little and it just didn't react on paper like it should. I DID have fun with this.....and I will do it again.
Thanks Lynn............have a super week.
Tina

[lacyquilter]

I don't have any gesso, but I'll have to check with DD to see if she has any in her art supplies. Fun technique.

[Toy]

no gesso here and I just can't justify another purchase right now, so I am out for today. I will enjoy looking at the gallery though as it looks like a neat technique!

Have fun!

[Wendy G]

This is a very cool technique Lynn! I never have taken the time to learn about it before now. Thanks.
I don't have any Gesso, but you can be sure I'm going out today to get some!

[okstamper]

Good morning!

No Gesso here! It's about $10.00 at Walmart in the section where the scrapbooking section is close to the watercolor paper isle.

Thanks for the challenge though.

[stampinupconsultan]

no gesso for me... guess i am going without one more day's challenge... I agree with Bonnie too.. this stuff is expensive.. Too expensive for my family...

[sharondh]

Very interesting. No gesso at this time, but will remember this for a future "new look" sometime. Don't have any silhouette type stamps either. They're on my wish list.

[DawnL]

thanks Lynn...have gesso, IF I feel up to creating today....ugh

[markie's mom]

Okay...Now, I had NO IDEA Gesso took soooooooooooooooooooooo long to dry! LOL!

Here's my Gesso Resist card....I hope Markie forgives me for ruining his brush! LOL

[Zizzie78]

well i dont have any gesso so I guess that is my first step... I wonder when I can get to Michael's to buy some

[MariLynn]

I don't have any gesso either. Will enjoy looking at everyone's creations.

[One4Joy]

I'm waiting for my paper to dry...this will be fun, Lynn! I had a blast reading Maria's blog about all the uses for Gesso...thanks for the link and your card is beautiful!

[Zizzie78]

Originally Posted by okstamper

Good morning!

No Gesso here! It's about $10.00 at Walmart in the section where the scrapbooking section is close to the watercolor paper isle.

Thanks for the challenge though.

Wow I didnt realize gesso was so expensive... is there any other product that can be used instead of gesso?

Does anyone know how much gesso costs at Michael's? It may be worth using the 40% coupon to buy the gesso....

[Lynn in St. Louis]

I've had mind for quite a while and don't really recall the exact price (got mine at Michael's) but I'm pretty sure it wasn't $10, but much less. It comes in a fairly good size jar, which I've barely used 1/5th of the jar, and like I said - I've had it forever and use it often.

Originally Posted by Zizzie78

Wow I didnt realize gesso was so expensive... is there any other product that can be used instead of gesso?

Does anyone know how much gesso costs at Michael's? It may be worth using the 40% coupon to buy the gesso....

[letmecrop]

It has been too many weeks since I have been able to actually participate in one of the challenges.

I love this technique and just had to sneak in some time to make a card. It is stormy here so had to take the picture inside and the lighting wasn't so good.

TFL

My Gesso Happiness

[Magmo]

I guess that I'm in the same boat as many others. I have no Gesso. This will get saved to my to-do TLC list. One day I'll get through it, and have great fun doing it! Thanks for the great challenge.

[letmecrop]

I have tons of Gesso - not expensive at all. It comes in little bottles the size of acrylic paints all the way up to gallon size. It should be in the art department of most craft stores.


AN IDEA for those of you without gesso for the challenge today. It might work if you have some "white" acrylic paint. pour some into a little container and add some water (slowly so you don't get too much) and stir until you have a good "white-wash" to work with. Try it on a scrap magazine page first to see if you have it the right consistency for some of the words to still peek through. I have done this to tone down some designer paper that I really loved but wanted it to be more muted and not so bright.

hth

[lacyquilter]

Ok, went did a Google search and found a RECIPE FOR GESSO!!

http://www.how-to-be-a-bad-artist.com/gesso.html -- scroll down to the 2nd (alternative) recipe. And a bit farther down are step by step pictures and instructions.

ETA: I haven't tried this, but I'm going to and will let you know how it turns out. -- be patient, I'm slow.

2nd edit: I tried it, it worked. I used school glue and my ratio was probably closer to 1 part water, 1 part glue. Need lots of talc.

[Lynn in St. Louis]

I thought about that, but since I hadn't actually tried it before, I wasn't sure how it would react with the magazine paper. I was afraid that the added water would warp the paper. I'm looking forward to seeing how this works!

Thanks for your suggestion.

Originally Posted by letmecrop

I have tons of Gesso - not expensive at all. It comes in little bottles the size of acrylic paints all the way up to gallon size. It should be in the art department of most craft stores.


AN IDEA for those of you without gesso for the challenge today. It might work if you have some "white" acrylic paint. pour some into a little container and add some water (slowly so you don't get too much) and stir until you have a good "white-wash" to work with. Try it on a scrap magazine page first to see if you have it the right consistency for some of the words to still peek through. I have done this to tone down some designer paper that I really loved but wanted it to be more muted and not so bright.

hth

[letmecrop]

just mixed up a little of the "whitewash" and did an ATC to see how it would work.

tlf

Gesso Substitute ATC

[Biggan]

Thanks for the challenge! I´ve made my own Gesso!

Here´s my card!

http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/ga...&ppuser=125756

TFL!
Birgit/Biggan

[LeisaJane]

I didn't have any Gesso and ended up making my own concoction of glue and powder...it worked great!

Here's my CARD.

Thanks, Lynn, for inspiring me. I've been in a real rut. It was so much fun playing with the glue today!

[Etha]

I love playing with Gesso thanks for the challenge!! I varied the tech a bit for my purpose, but it is still a gesso resist... Will see if I have enough time to follow the instructions a bit closer for a second one!
Hear the Music ATC . tfl

[Cook22]

Gesso by the Pond.
This was so out of my comfort zone. Miles and miles out...
But I'm always game to try a new technique - so thanks for the push, Lynn.

[Cook22]

Originally Posted by letmecrop

I have tons of Gesso - not expensive at all. It comes in little bottles the size of acrylic paints all the way up to gallon size. It should be in the art department of most craft stores.


AN IDEA for those of you without gesso for the challenge today. It might work if you have some "white" acrylic paint. pour some into a little container and add some water (slowly so you don't get too much) and stir until you have a good "white-wash" to work with. Try it on a scrap magazine page first to see if you have it the right consistency for some of the words to still peek through. I have done this to tone down some designer paper that I really loved but wanted it to be more muted and not so bright.

hth

I'm curious about this. So you are saying gesso should be thinner? I can tell you that my brand new sealed gesso is WAY thicker than my white acrylic that is about ten years old and should, if anything, have thickened up. Maybe that's why I wasn't getting the glazed look mentioned in the tutorial.

[priscillastyles]

Originally Posted by Cook22

I'm curious about this. So you are saying gesso should be thinner? I can tell you that my brand new sealed gesso is WAY thicker than my white acrylic that is about ten years old and should, if anything, have thickened up. Maybe that's why I wasn't getting the glazed look mentioned in the tutorial.

oh these are good tips..thanks. I will for sure try this cuz I do not have gesso and really do not have time to run to the craft store..plus, I get in so much trouble when I go there LOL TFS everyone

[lacyquilter]

Here's my card: playing with gesso.

I tried the recipe from the link in post #28. PVA glue was recommended, but I used Elmer's school glue instead. I ended up using a ratio closer 1/1 -- water & glue and LOTS and LOTS of talcum powder, but it worked. I've never used gesso, so don't know what it's like. I think my DD has some, but she couldn't immediately put her hands on it, so I went with the alternative.

[dardar4j]

Hi, I really like the idea of playing today and couldn't for the life of me find the bottle of gesso I was so sure I still had. boo hoo.
After visiting a friend, I logged back on to see is someone had posted a substitute. Sure enough, I saw something that gave me an idea.
I took my textile medium and mixed it with equal parts white acrylic paint, then I sprayed some water in too. I mixed it up and painted several encyclopedia pages I have had forever. It was still transparent enough to show through. Just one coat was all I used. For the first card I loved the way the dye inks were blendable when applying, it was fun to play around and blend it out. I will be making more cards soon with the rest of the sheets I made. So much fun to try something different. Thanks for the challenge.
http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/ga...0&ppuser=46760
here is another one atc size
http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/ga...0&ppuser=46760
here is yet another look
http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/ga...0&ppuser=46760

[Etha]

One more for me no magazines here but a catalog page worked super!
bloomin with love . thanks for the challenge and thanks for looking

[ruby-heartedmom]

I found Gesso at Hobby Lobby for $6.99 last week, then used my 40% off, so it wasn't too bad. I put the gesso on too thick and my words didn't show through, but I like the texture and the way it took the color--so it's not a total flop.
Gesso Wolf
Bird Song
Distressed Bronc