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[AmatureManga]

Ok so somebody on my deviantart account told me that if i want to make my Zero mask nice and smooth a good material to use is Gesso. But i've never used or heard of Gesso before. So could someone explain it to me and if possible give me a short tutorial on how to use it?

[Sarcasm-hime]

Gesso is a primer used for preparing artist's canvases before painting. It's white and looks like paint, but has solids in it that can be sanded. You want to apply several layers and sand with fine-grain sandpaper.

For best results, see if you can find "Hard Sandable Gesso" at an art supply store. It has more solids in it than regular gesso (it's thicker) and so you'll get smoother results with less work.

[AmatureManga]

Originally Posted by Sarcasm-hime

Gesso is a primer used for preparing artist's canvases before painting. It's white and looks like paint, but has solids in it that can be sanded. You want to apply several layers and sand with fine-grain sandpaper.

For best results, see if you can find "Hard Sandable Gesso" at an art supply store. It has more solids in it than regular gesso (it's thicker) and so you'll get smoother results with less work.

ok so how many layers should i apply before i start sanding it and should i also apply Gesso to the inside of the mask as well?

[Mehdia]

When I use Gesso, I usually do a layer, sand that, do another layer, sand, etc. til I'm happy with it. Then I paint over it as many coats as it takes and then seal it.

[AmatureManga]

Originally Posted by Mehdia

When I use Gesso, I usually do a layer, sand that, do another layer, sand, etc. til I'm happy with it. Then I paint over it as many coats as it takes and then seal it.

ok ill do that but should i also apply Gesso to the inside of my mask as well?

[animenerd93]

u dont have to but in case people are looking at ur mask or u can see parts from the sides i would

[cybernova]

Always let gesso dry properly before sanding. That's why doing layer at a time is good, a thick blob of gesso may well never dry from within, or at least it'll take several days. Invest in a good gesso, cheaper ones may take longer to dry or not properly dry at all even if you give it time. I had one jar of gesso with a 30min drying time which never fully dried. Even properly applied.