FIRSTSTROKES
My First Strokes on my painting journey was simply applying gesso primer onto my paint board. Gesso is similar to acrylic paint but it dries hard, making the surface more stiff. Gesso prepares (or “primes”) the surface for painting, making the surface slightly textured and ready to accept acrylic paint. Without gesso, the paint would soak into the weave of the canvas.
As easy as it seems, applying black gesso for the first time ever was quite tedious. The texture of this black gesso product was abnormally thick relative to paint and therefore the isometric handgrip task which involves clenching the hand muscles around the paint brush was quite demanding on this rookie painter.
It is most probable that, the more common, white gesso would have led to an easier outcome all round, lighter and, most importantly, more translucent when painted over but my life experiences have thought me that the more difficult route usually builds substance and strength. Oh and obviously, black don’t crack!
