Both gesso and matte medium are both used to prime canvases before they are painted on. While matte medium is an alternative to gesso, it will never be a replacement, at least not when it comes to my art.
Most artists tend to use gesso for priming their canvases. While paint or matte medium can be used, I prefer to not waste my paint by using it as a primer. Plus, gesso creates a bit of a rough surface which is great for painting.
Matte medium is typically used to thin paint, and it can be used to reduce the sheen if you find your paint is too glossy. There are other uses for matte medium as well, which we will get into later in this post.
Today we are going to be looking at gesso and matte medium, so you can figure out which of the two would be best for priming your canvases. We will also look at other uses for gesso and matte medium.
Keep reading to learn more.
Gesso vs Matte Medium Comparison
| Factors | Gesso | Matte Medium |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Less than $9 for 8.45 ounces | An 8-ounce bottle of matte medium costs around $15 |
| Good for priming canvas | Yes | Yes |
| Has many uses | Yes | Yes |
| Available in many colors | Yes | No |
| Create texture on canvas | Yes | Somewhat |
What is Gesso?
Gesso is a medium that is usually used by artists for priming their canvases. When a layer or two of gesso has been applied and allowed to dry, it allows the artist to spread their paint on the canvas easier because it won’t soak into the canvas.
Gesso is available in a variety of colors, and I wish I had known this a few years ago. I had only heard about white gesso, so if I wanted a black background, I used black paint to prime the canvas.
Now I know that not only can you buy canvases that are already primed with black gesso, but you can also buy black gesso. Live and learn I guess.
Gesso can be used for purposes other than priming a canvas. For instance, if you are into stenciling, you can use gesso to create patterns. You can also use it for stamping.
When you come right down to it, gesso is a lot like white acrylic paint. The only differences are that it is thinner, and it dries harder so the painting surface is relatively stiff.
Gesso will make the surface of a canvas slightly textured so it is ready to accept paint. In fact, you can apply it to just about any surface that you want to paint on. Let’s say you want to create images on old record albums. You can easily prime the album with gesso and then begin painting once the gesso has dried.
How do you know when gesso is dry? Don’t go by whether or not it feels dry to the touch. The best way to know is to check to see if it is cold or warm. If it is cold, it isn’t dry.
There are different types of gesso. I already mentioned that you can get it in black and white. Gesso also comes in other colors, as well as clear.
You will also find that there are two grades of gesso, artist grade, and student grade. The difference between the two is the ratio of pigment to filler. Student grade contains more filler, so it is less expensive than artist-grade gesso, but you can usually only find it in white.
Artist-grade gesso has more pigment than student-grade gesso. This extra pigment makes the gesso thicker and more opaque.
The texture and consistency of gesso can vary, depending on the brand. Some are thinner while others are quite thick. Some go onto a canvas smoothly, while others give you a bit of texture to paint on.
Some gesso, such as Liquitex Super Heavy Gesso, is so thick that it can be molded. You can use it to create sculptural effects using your brushes or a palette knife.
Gesso is available in a few forms. I prefer to use gesso that is in a squeeze bottle (although I dip my brush into the bottle rather than squeeze the gesso onto the canvas).
Gesso is also available in a jar, and there is even spray gesso that you can use without the need for a brush.
What is Matte Medium?
Matte medium is a transparent liquid that you can use to thin out your acrylic paint and reduce its sheen. There are many uses for matte medium, and it is something that should be in every artist’s arsenal.
You will find matte medium from many companies. Just as with most mediums, I tend to prefer using the Liquitex brand, just because it is the one I am most familiar with and I’ve always had good luck with their products.
Matte medium is an alternative to gesso for priming canvases. It has a very similar consistency, and it can be applied to a canvas with a brush.
Some people like to add a bit of water to the first coat of matte medium, but I don’t find that this is necessary. I just use it right out of the bottle and it works fine. The only good reason to dilute it would be to make it easier for the matte medium to absorb into the canvas fibers, and you would only dilute the first layer while the additional layers are not diluted.
Don’t let the color of matte medium fool you. While it does look cloudy when it is still wet, it dries somewhat transparent. Keep in mind that if you apply thick layers, they may appear to be a bit cloudy due to the matting agents. Matte medium isn’t completely clear at any time.
If you are going to use a medium instead of gesso, I recommend that you use a matte medium. The gloss medium is too slick to paint on, and you get a bit more texture or roughness when you use matte medium.
The only real drawback is that it is difficult to wipe away wet paint when you make a mistake. A gloss medium makes this easy to do.
Conclusion
It is always important to prime a canvas before painting on it. Some artists even prime canvases that have already been primed. I don’t usually bother with this, but this is because I am too lazy and too impatient. I want to get started on the painting as soon as I can once I get an idea into my head!
I suggest you give both matte medium and gesso a try to see which you prefer using. If you are on a budget, gesso is likely going to be the best option as it is less expensive than matte medium.
Sari Green is a semi-professional artist and professional writer. She has been hosting paint & sip parties for the past couple of years, and truly enjoys helping other people to create their very own masterpieces. She loves to create, and you never know what she’s going to come up with next!