Creating Texture in Gesso

Tip from: Jessica Whitmire: It is very easy to achieve a textured look to your painting without using a high viscosity (thick) paint that would hold peaks and display brush strokes.

1. Before beginning to paint your masterpiece, apply a generous amount of white acrylic paint or gesso to your already primed canvas. Don't be shy about how much you need to put on, more is better!
2. After applying the paint/gesso to the canvas take a plastic bag, trash bag, or a plastic drop cloth and place directly on top of the generously painted canvas.
3. Squish the bag/cloth into the paint. Really work with the paint! It is important that the whole surface of the paint is touching the bag/cloth otherwise you may have a painting that is half textured (unless you want that). To achieve a very textured look really work the paint into folds and wrinkles of the bag/cloth. Don't be afraid that you won't be able to remove the bag from the folds, it will.
4. Let dry. Depending on how much paint you have applied on the canvas drying time can take anywhere from a couple days to a week. This step takes a long time considering the paint is not exposed to much air. Remember that patience is a virtue, and if you are willing to wait it is worth it.
5. Remove the bag/cloth from the paint and reveal your new textured surface!

Note: If you were creating an abstract piece and figures, forms, or objects were not important to maintain you could perform this whole technique after the piece is done and the paint is still wet. Additional paint would not have to be added to your painting because you would be simply texturizing the paint you have already applied.

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