This dish towel hanger duck was painted with pure gesso. It changes cheap glazed objects into a richer looking product. Here's a before of the duck so you can see the difference.
I have been thinking of doing a post on making your own chalk paint, but another blogger did that a few days ago, so I don't have to.
Making your own chalk paint is so much cheaper than the $40 per quart (yes, quart) the popular stuff costs. I have been experimenting by adding gesso to left over paint I have on hand, using 1/3 gesso and 2/3's leftover paint. I got the idea to paint with gesso from Villa Barnes -- who I think is the most creative blogger out there when it comes to furniture.
Anyway, No Minimalist Here (another highly skilled and entertaining blogger) gives a variety of ideas on how to make the chalk paint, but missed the gesso combination.
Gesso is available at Michael's and Hobby Lobby, etc. Michael's is the cheapest I've found. I have been painting a variety of stuff with it since I learned about it by reading Villa Barnes' blog. You can use it by itself or mixed with paint. Love the stuff. I'm becoming possessed and I have a house full of projects in various stages to prove it.
Check out information on painting with gesso and making your own chalk paint at the blogs below. They probably won't link so you may have to type it in yourself:
http://villabarnes.blogspot.com
http://nominimalisthere.blogspot.com
I love it. One question though, does it come off when cleaning it??? I doo like the look. I'll check out those links. Thanks and I like your duck.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the wonderful compliments. Glad you enjoy my tutorials. Your duck looks beautiful. Looking forward to seeing what else you've been working on.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to have to try this with gesso. I love the chalk paint but it is quit expensive and I have tons of leftover paint in the basement. Would be nice to put that to use.
ReplyDeleteMarianne :)
Thanks so much for following, and commenting to lead me here! I have seen more than a few creative projects done with gesso -- I have never worked with it myself, but now my curiosity is definitely piqued. I think I may try this next and see which method I like best!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the mention and kind words! I haven't used gesso but it is on my list to try. I have used whiting powder that is found in gesso and it works great too. Rosemary at Villa Barnes is such a talented painter and the furniture she transforms is beautiful.
ReplyDeletexo,
Sherry
Thanks for this post. I've been thinking about making my own chalk paint, inspired by Sherry at No Minimalist Here. I want to try gesso, too.
ReplyDeleteCheers,
Tracy Screaming Sardine