Alternative to gesso????

[dyoung]

Hey all,
I have been looking to do some more traditional work lately, and unfortunately I don't have any Gesso to use on my old canvases. I also don't have the money to buy pre-gessoed canvases or buy gesso. I looked today and it was like $70!!! but, I still want to do some traditional work. Is there a cheaper alternative to Gesso?
dyoung

[mtw]

I don't think it get's any cheaper than gesso. Other than gesso people will use a coat of rabbit skin glue and oil primer. The rabbit skin glue might be all that's necessary to protect the surface. I'm still pretty sure that would cost more than gesso.

[dyoung]

Hey mtw-
Yeah I hear ya... Gesso usually is the most economical thing to get. But I guess I've been doing to much digital work lately. I looked at the price for a gallon and nearly died! Maybe I'm a tightwad! LOL Thanks for the advice. I read in the ILLUSTRATOR'S BIBLE that you could use oil based white lead paint. But I don't think you can get that anymore. Thanks for your time.
dyoung

[Elwell]

$70? Where the hell do you buy your supplies?
This (http://www.utrechtart.com/dsp_view_product.cfm?classID=1411&subclassID=141110&brandname=Utrecht&Item=9000) is more like it. For another five bucks you can even spring for the "professional" grade (more solids=fewer coats). Even really good stuff like Golden (http://www.goldenpaint.com/gesso.htm) shouldn't run you more than $35-$40.
Why do you even need a gallon anyway? Buy a pint and get your feet wet.

[dyoung]

hey Elwell-
Unfortunately, I live in an art void. So the only place within reasonable driving distance is Michael's. :( Thanks for the link by the way. I usually ge my stuff from Dick Blick in bulk. But I haven't the $$ to spend at the moment
Cheers!
dyoung

[dyoung]

forgot. The reason I need a gallon is cause I'm gessoing over like 20 very large canvases. I don't think pint would cover them all the way... thanks for the info though :)
dyoung

[Elwell]

Putting acrylic gesso over old oil painted canvases isn't usually recommended anyway (adhesion problems). But if you just plan on using these for practice and studies you've got a couple of options.

1- Paint directly over them without doing anything to the surface. If the old image is distracting, turn it upside down. You could also cut up those big old canvases into several smaller pieces and paint on them unstretched.

2- Wet sand down any ridges or impastos. This will do a lot to obscure the old image. Then, scrub over this with a thin coat of oil paint, any color or mixture you want (although light colors will cover better). You don't have to completely obliterate the old painting, just half cover it so it's easier to ignore. Let this dry for a few days/weeks (depending on the pigments used) and go to town.

3- Get a gallon of white oil primer from a hardware store. It won't be "archival" or as well suited to painting on as gesso or a proper oil ground, but it will stick to and cover up the old paint.

[dyoung]

Hey Elwell-
Wow, thanks... that is very good advice. I truly appreciate it. Yeah I just want to get painting again... I'm nowhere near good enough to produce anything worth keeping LOL but I'd like to just practice anyways. Thanks again for your great advice.
dyoung