Friday, May 6, 2016

teabag painting







i love art supplies.  you could say i collect them

just to experiment with them.  sometimes it takes a

while for me to even get around to trying a product.

that's the case with clear gesso.  now i have it on 

hand always.  



what is gesso?

gesso comes in white, black, clear and even colors.  it is used

as a primer and sealer  and make an even ground for

acrylic or oil paint.    clear gesso dries clear to translucent 

depending on the thickness of the application.  i apply with

a sponge brush or inexpensive bristle brush.  



how do i use it?

as a painter and mixed media artist, i love layering

color on color, collage on paint, paint over collage,

paint over a sketch ... you get the picture.  you might 

even do the same.  



clean up

soap and water.  important to wash immediately after 

using or your brush will be a solid block of bristles.  especially

check the bristles at the base of the brush.  i squeeze the

bristles with my fingers.  if it feels sticky, i wash again.



where to use clear gesso

1

use clear gesso between layers or if you are not sure

about the next step.  it  protects the bottom layer and 

gives you the option  to remove the last layer.



2

apply a layer of clear gesso on paper, canvas, wood

before using pastels.  clear gesso leaves a tooth which

is a nice surface for pastels. and oil pastels.  this grit or  tooth

is what i did not like about it when i first tried it.  i was used to 

smooth white gesso and had not tried pastels at the time.  now i love it.



3

brush it on an altered book.  you can then paint over it and 

wipe off paint to retain the text below.


4

as with any product, experiment, break the rules,

let yourself play!















12 comments:

  1. Love that tea bag, and thanks for the gesso tips! Happy PPF, hugs, Valerie

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  2. You are the master of teabag painting. Love it and each one that you have done. I love your explanation of clear gesso, too.

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  3. Fun art and looks and sounds like it was fun to create! I wish you another creative week ahead.

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  4. Irene it has just occured to me that I have never used clear gesso!! I use white...and a lot of black gesso but never clear...I think I should try it out as you say it would probably protect my layers. I also have to add you are right about brushes. I would say use cheaper ones because I have ruined so many I only use expensive ones for watercolour and fine acrylic details.

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  5. Thanks for the ideas on clear gesso. I have products I haven't yet used and one of them is clear gesso.

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  6. Oh I love your teabag art...so beautiful and colourful! I have black and white gesso and keep forgetting I want the clear one...On my list now that you reminded me!!

    Hugs Giggles

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  7. Yes, I like the new long shape teabag - excellent for a figure. And the tear adds to the design. Lovely colours as usual.

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  8. Wonderful teabag. Thanks for tips.
    Happy weekend xx

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  9. beautiful teabag art Irene, and I love using clear gesso. Happy PPF!

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  10. At the risk of shocking you I have to confess I've never used gesso. Thanks to your step by step tips I might just be brave to give it a go.
    Fantastic teabag artwork too.
    Happy PPF to you

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  11. Irene this is a stunning piece of tea bag art. It leaves so much to the imagination. Just wonderful.

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  12. I love it too! So full of texture and still you cannot see it :oD

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