REVIEW: DecoArt Chalky Gesso
DecoArt reached out to me to try out their new Chalky Gesso product, to be released this year. It's a new take on traditional gessos, leaving a smooth chalky finish much like their chalk paint line, but for priming canvases and objects before painting. It comes in 6 colors; white, beige, light green, grey, dark grey and black. It comes in 16 and 32 fluid ounce jars. It's available in select stores through MacPherson's. Use their store locator to find a location near you.
DecoArt describes Chalky Gesso as:
A super-smooth matte gesso primer ideal for fine art and decorative painting. It creates a suede-like, non-grainy finish and requires no sanding. Chalky Gesso fills in the divots and natural texture of canvas or wood to create a smooth, even surface. Oil and acrylic paint glides across the primed surface easily. Available in 6 neutral colors and 2 different sizes, Chalky Gesso enables artists to customize their primed background and enhances their finished designs.
I tested out the white and black on two planters I bought from Michaels, a llama and a Buddha head. Both planters were matte finish, much like a canvas. I painted it on just like paint, with the white needing 2 coats and the black only needing 1 coat (great pigmentation). There are some instructions and tips for using Chalky Gesso on the DecoArt website, including how to use it on metal and glass.
For the llama, I used white Chalky Gesso to prime the surface and cover the pre-exisiting design. I used a variety of brightly colored Americana Acrylic paints to create a fleece-like patchwork design. For a bit of sparkle, I used Glamour Dust Glitter paint sparsely around the llama. For the face details, I used purple Dazzling Metallics and Americana Acrylics. I used DuraClear Gloss Varnish to protect the painted design. This planter came with a glossy glazed inside, so it actually is suitable for real plants. Though I love nature, I'm an awful gardener, and prefer faux plants.
For the Buddha head, I only needed 1 coat of the black Chalky Gesso, due to the great pigmentation. I was careful to not get any on the existing faux succulents. I used dark shades of Americana Acrylics to paint streaks of color, bringing out the details and texture of the Buddha head. Over that, I used Dazzling Metallics to further highlight the details and add some interest. I used Soft Touch Varnish to seal the paints. I didn't want to lose the contrast of the matte and shine, and while it dulls the metallics a little, it still does a good job at achieving the effect I like. Plus it's a smooth finish.
A little gesso goes a long way. I was sent 16 fl oz jars, but it will still last me a while for small craft projects like these planters. If you're someone who does large craft or art projects, the 32 fl oz jar would be a good size for you. I have a few more repainting projects planned where the Chalky Gesso will come in handy. It's definitely nicer than regular gesso which can often have chunks, need to be watered down to go on smoothly, and needs sanding between coats. Total time saver for me! It will be a good staple in my painting supplies. Whatever you're making, have fun with it. Happy Makery!
DecoArt describes Chalky Gesso as:
A super-smooth matte gesso primer ideal for fine art and decorative painting. It creates a suede-like, non-grainy finish and requires no sanding. Chalky Gesso fills in the divots and natural texture of canvas or wood to create a smooth, even surface. Oil and acrylic paint glides across the primed surface easily. Available in 6 neutral colors and 2 different sizes, Chalky Gesso enables artists to customize their primed background and enhances their finished designs.
- No sanding needed for a super smooth finish
- Ideal for portrait painting
- Perfect for acrylics and oils
- Works on canvas, wood, and more
- Water-based
- Soap and water clean-up
For the llama, I used white Chalky Gesso to prime the surface and cover the pre-exisiting design. I used a variety of brightly colored Americana Acrylic paints to create a fleece-like patchwork design. For a bit of sparkle, I used Glamour Dust Glitter paint sparsely around the llama. For the face details, I used purple Dazzling Metallics and Americana Acrylics. I used DuraClear Gloss Varnish to protect the painted design. This planter came with a glossy glazed inside, so it actually is suitable for real plants. Though I love nature, I'm an awful gardener, and prefer faux plants.
For the Buddha head, I only needed 1 coat of the black Chalky Gesso, due to the great pigmentation. I was careful to not get any on the existing faux succulents. I used dark shades of Americana Acrylics to paint streaks of color, bringing out the details and texture of the Buddha head. Over that, I used Dazzling Metallics to further highlight the details and add some interest. I used Soft Touch Varnish to seal the paints. I didn't want to lose the contrast of the matte and shine, and while it dulls the metallics a little, it still does a good job at achieving the effect I like. Plus it's a smooth finish.
A little gesso goes a long way. I was sent 16 fl oz jars, but it will still last me a while for small craft projects like these planters. If you're someone who does large craft or art projects, the 32 fl oz jar would be a good size for you. I have a few more repainting projects planned where the Chalky Gesso will come in handy. It's definitely nicer than regular gesso which can often have chunks, need to be watered down to go on smoothly, and needs sanding between coats. Total time saver for me! It will be a good staple in my painting supplies. Whatever you're making, have fun with it. Happy Makery!
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