Gesso

A white paint created by combining plaster of paris, gypsum, or chalk with a white glue. It is used to prepare various surfaces for oil painting and is treated most often as a base coat, though it is sometimes left decoratively as a primary finish on wooden furniture. As a finish, it works best on porous woods and creates a chalky, gray/white tone. It may also be cast to make repeating ornamental forms in relief to be applied to wood panels, plaster surfaces, etc.