What is the difference between a Gesso and a Ground?
A Gesso can be considered a ground, but a ground does not have to be a gesso. A ground is a product that provides a desired surface on which to paint. GOLDEN makes two grounds: Absorbent Ground and Acrylic Ground for Pastel. The Absorbent Ground (available in white and canvas color) is applied to any gessoed support and mimics the absorbency of a good watercolor paper. The Acrylic Ground for Pastel is a clear product with a gritty solid added to it to allow pastel to adhere to it. The vast array of Gels and Mediums in the GOLDEN line can be used in a similar fashion as grounds, depending on what the artist is trying to achieve. A few examples are: GOLDEN Matte Medium or Fluid Matte Medium can be applied as “clear gessos,” allowing the substrate to show through. GOLDEN Pumice Gels can be used as is, or blended into colors to create textural grounds. Can I use Polymer Medium (Gloss) or Matte Medium as a final varnish? When you apply a medium over the paint, it’s the same material sans th
