The term gesso simply refers to chalk, gypsum, or plaster. The term came to be used in the 20th century to describe a primer made from chalk and acrylic polymer emulsion. What follows is a recipe for traditional gesso made with hide glue, used in egg tempera, casein, and even oil painting.

• 16 fluid ounces water
• 1 ounce of rabbitskin glue (2 tablespoons)
• 24 ounces (by volume) of marble dust or whiting
• An ounce or two of the marble dust can be replaced with Titanium Dioxide white pigment to make a brighter more opaque gesso.

Soak the powdered glue in water overnight and heat it in a double-boiler. It shouldn’t be heated more than 140° F.

Add the marble dust slowly while stirring, avoiding air bubbles. The double boiler will hold heat for quite awhile to keep the gesso workable. Put it back on the burner to warm it up if you need to.

To gesso a panel, first apply a thin layer of rabbitskin glue, same recipe as above but without the marble dust. Follow this with at least 4 thin even coats of gesso, dry between each layer. The next day, sand your panel starting with say 120 grit sandpaper, moving on up to 400 grit or so, even 1000 grit if you like for a fantastically smooth surface.

This recipe is adapted from the American Egg Tempera Society.