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Eco Gesso Kit

Our Eco Gesso Kit is the world’s first eco-friendly, petroleum-free and vegan gesso for artists - made with earth and mineral ingredients and plant-based binders. This gesso is professional-grade, archival and based on time-tested Renaissance recipes.

Regular price
$44.95
Regular price
Sale price
$44.95
Shipping calculated at checkout.
Description
  • Makes 50 fl. oz. of gesso (enough to prime about 10-15 medium-sized canvases).

Learn about the History of Gesso HERE

Learn how to Prime & Stretch an Eco-friendly Canvas HERE

 

Technical Data

Packaging:
This kit is packaged in a 100% post-consumer recycled paper box. Post-consumer recycled paper eliminates the need to cut down new trees to create paper as it utilizes pre-existing material, and it can be recycled again for use in other products. Gesso mix comes in home-compostable bioplastic.

Directions:
For our tutorial on how to mix our Eco Gesso, see the Video Tab.

Safety & Quality:
Made in the USA. Free of nuts, dairy, and gluten. Cruelty-free. Not intended for consumption.

Shipping & returns

Eco-Friendly Practices

We are a small, woman-owned and run business operating out of a solar-powered facility in Southern Oregon. We also double as a used packaging drop-off site for local residents and businesses. We use 100% post-consumer recycled packaging, home compostable paint pouches and recyclable glass and aluminum bottles for our products.

We give back by donating to "One Tree Planted" and "Rogue Climate" every month and continue to donate to various humanitarian and environment causes throughout the year.

Generally, all orders are shipped using zero-waste packaging and materials. Our shipping department uses paper stuffing and biodegradable paper tape, with the exception of shipping glass, as noted in the product descriptions for products made of glass.

Return Policies

We offer full refunds on any defective or damaged products. We also offer full refunds (less shipping costs) on elective returns if the product is in re-sellable condition and the return has been made within 3 months of the purchase.

Shipping Policies

Free Standard Shipping on orders above $100 for U.S. customers.

Orders containing in-stock items are typically processed within 2 business days from when we receive the order during operating hours. If a purchase contains out-of-stock or pre-order items, we will ship the order once ALL items are available and it can be fulfilled completely. Once an order is shipped, you will receive a confirmation email with tracking information; please save this email in case of any issues with your order.

After a package leaves our facility, it becomes the responsibility of the contracted carrier to get it to you. Any issues or problems that arise must be resolved with them directly. For USPS orders in particular, we've be instructed that it is best for the recipient to first speak with their local post office regarding any concerns.

Additionally, you can monitor your shipment or file a claim for lost mail with each of the carriers we use: U.S. Postal ServiceUPS, or FedEx.

We work hard to ensure orders are processed and received as quickly as possible, but unfortunately, we're unable to locate lost or delayed packages. We recognize errors happen and ask for your patience in those circumstances, but we will not ship replacement items or issue refunds until a formal determination is made by the carrier. Please use the resources outlined above to seek resolution if needed.

 

International Shipping

If you’re ordering from EuropeCanadaAustralia or New Zealand, please click the appropriate link to visit the distributor for your region. We normally ship USPS International for international orders, and the order typically takes 2-3 weeks for delivery. Due to global constraints, shipping times may vary, and additional delays can occur due to customs inspections. Since we never know if a package will be held at customs, any import fees or taxes applied to the delivery must be paid by the recipient.

PRODUCT FAQs

After the first coat of methyl cellulose, why is my canvas wrinkly / wavey? 
It's normal for the canvas to look loose at this step, this next step of applying the "Gesso Mix" will tighten up the canvas. If it's not as tight as you want after the second step has dried, spritz water on the back of the canvas and it will tighten further.

Can I skip the first coat of methyl cellulose? 
The first coat of methyl cellulose is really just designed to seep into the fibers of the raw canvas to give another layer of protection since if oil paint touched raw canvas it would eventually rot/mold. If you’re painting on wood or a pre-primed surface, then you don’t need the first coat of methyl cellulose.

How much coverage does the gesso kit have?
The full kit is about enough for 10-15 medium sized canvases, so you can half or quarter the recipe for smaller applications.

After it dries, it is chalky, why?
That's a sign that there's not enough Methyl Cellulose glue in the mix. That's the glue that keeps it all together. For the ones you've already gessoed, you can brush on one more layer of the clear methyl cellulose on top and let dry overnight. For any new canvases or panels, be sure to brush on a layer of the glue first, let dry, then when you mix up the gesso mix, add one or two more tablespoons of the Methyl cellulose glue to the mix then it calls for. This recipe is based on a Renaissance recipe when they preferred a more absorbent surface because the paint would bond to the top layer of gesso rather than sitting on top which is what we’re now used to with acrylic gessos. 

Is it archival? 
The gesso has incredible longevity and is very archival and non-yellowing.

What is the shelf life? 
The mixed Methyl cellulose in a glass jar has a 1 year shelf life if uncontaminated and kept at room temperature. The mixed gesso has a 6 month - 1 year shelf life once mixed.

Is the gesso absorbent? 
Our gesso is a replica of gesso made during the renaissance. They preferred that the surface was slightly absorbent so the first layers of oil paint would seep into it a bit and fully bond instead of just sitting on top which is what we’re used to these days with Acrylic Gesso (plastic). If you’d like it less absorbent you can add another layer of methyl cellulose on top OR you can add more methyl cellulose into the gesso mix, for example 6 or 8 Tbsp. 


Components of the Eco Gesso Kit including the box, Gesso Mix, Methyl Cellulose and instruction booklet
Eco Gesso Kit
Eco Gesso Kit
How to Prime Your Canvases with the Natural, Non-Toxic Eco Gesso Kit
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Customer Reviews

Based on 5 reviews
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T
Tr
Still trying

While I love the notion of vegan gesso, I'm still not 100% convinced. My first go was with a wood panel, and then I painted with oils. The paint acted very strangely and also took a very long time to dry. I'm going to keep trying because I do want it to work for me. Next time I will use less medium and see what happens.

P
Pauline K.
i tried just a couple of colour and love it already the colours are wonderful

just love how i can handle the product the hand cleaner is very good.i can not wait to experiment with the colour they are different then the tube colours

M
Maria J.
gesso

Easy to mix up :)

T
Tom K.
Like it so far

would get again

V
Vikram I.
Amazing find!

pigments are great ... earthy. Love the whole range of products (from fabric, glue to pigments)

Why Natural Earth Paint

  • SAFE
    &
    SUSTAINABLE

    Free of heavy metals, solvents, parabens, phthalates, formaldehyde, additives, petroleum-based dyes and nano-particles.

  • ZERO WASTE
    &
    ZERO WORRY

    100% solar powered facility, 100% recycled and biodegradable packaging, and zero-waste shipping option available.

  • INNOVATIVE
    &
    UNMATCHED

    Proud to be the most innovative eco-business in art supplies. We have a whole line of products that you can’t find anywhere else.

  • PROFESSIONAL
    &
    HIGH QUALITY

    The highest quality pigments, organic ingredients, and hand-crafted in small batches. Pure earth pigments make the most luminous paint available anywhere.