Gamblin Oil Painting Ground is formulated to create a non-absorbent, bright white, archival-quality foundation for oil paintings. Made from alkyd resin, titanium dioxide, and barium sulfate, it produces a surface that is stiffer than acrylic gesso yet more flexible than traditional oil primers. The barium sulfate provides tooth, the titanium dioxide delivers opacity, and the alkyd binder makes the ground more flexible and faster drying than linseed oil or lead-based grounds – those can require six months to dry while Gamblin’s Ground is typically ready for paint within a week.
Because the percentage of pigments is so much higher than in acrylic 'gesso', painters need only apply two coats of Gamblin Ground instead of the recommended four coats of acrylic. The first, thin coat should be touch-dry before the second coat is applied; this should normally occur overnight. After the second coat, it is best to wait five days for the primer to dry properly before commencing with your painting. Additional coats can be added for smoother painting surfaces.
Remember that any absorbent substrate, such as canvas or paper, should be sized before the application of Gamblin Oil Painting Ground. This will seal the surface so that the oil does not leech into it or cause it to rot. You can use acrylic size, rabbit skin glue, or acrylic primer for this purpose. Gamblin recommends you use the Gamblin PVA size. Wooden supports do not need to be sized before the application of Gamblin Oil Painting Ground.
Read an in-depth Artist Review about Gamblin Oil Painting Ground here.
