Masonite board gesso applied

In Activity 3.1, the students will prepare whiting compounds, substances that impart a brilliant white to a ground, which will be combined with other chemicals to produce a gesso paste. In Activity 3.2, the gesso paste will be applied to masonite board to prepare a... 

Apply the gesso to a masonite board (see item C). Cover the beaker with a watch glass. Store the gesso in a refrigerator between applications (it will gel between applications and should be warmed on a hot plate until it is just melted before using). 

C. Have students create a gesso ground by applying the gesso to a masonite board ... 

The rabbit-skin glue or the cottage cheese provide adhesives to bind the whiting compounds into a thick, creamy solution that can be applied to a masonite board and built up layer by layer to form a solid ground. Calcium sulfate and calcium hydroxide dehydrate as the gesso dries and solidify to form a cement ground. They also provide a white solution that is made more brilliant with the addition of titanium dioxide. 

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