You can use white acrylic paint instead of gesso, but it will not have the same properties. Gesso is a thicker, more viscous substance that helps to prime surfaces and provide a smooth surface for painting. White acrylic paint is thinner and will not provide as much coverage or help to prime your painting surface.
- Begin by gathering your supplies
- You will need white acrylic paint, a paintbrush, and a surface to paint on
- Pour some of the white acrylic paint onto your painting surface
- Using your paintbrush, spread the paint around evenly
- Let the paint dry completely before continuing to the next step
- Once the paint is dry, you can begin painting on top of it with any other colors you like!
Can I use White Acrylic instead of Gesso? Q&A by Mont Marte
Can White Paint Be Used in Place of Gesso?
Yes, white paint can be used in place of gesso. Gesso is a type of paint that is typically used as a primer for painting. It is made with a combination of chalk and gypsum, which gives it a white color.
White paint can be used as a primer, but it will not have the same properties as gesso.
Is White Acrylic Paint the Same As Gesso?
No, white acrylic paint is not the same as gesso. Gesso is a type of primer that is often used as a base coat for painting. It helps to create a smooth surface and allows the paint to adhere better to the surface.
White acrylic paint can be used as a primer, but it will not have the same effect as gesso.
What Can I Substitute for Gesso?
If you’re a painter, chances are you’ve used gesso at some point. Gesso is a white paint mixture that’s often used as a primer for paintings. It’s also sometimes used on its own as an opaque paint.
But what if you’re out of gesso and need to use something else?
There are several substitutes for gesso that you can use depending on what you have on hand and what effect you’re going for. For example, white acrylic paint can be used as a substitute for gesso.
If you thin it out with water, it will have a similar consistency to gesso and can be used in the same way. You can also try using white tempera paint or even diluted glue as substitutes for gesso.
If you want to make your own gesso substitute, mix together 1 part white paint (acrylic, tempera, etc.) with 1 part plaster of Paris.
Add water until the mixture has the desired consistency and use it just like regular gesso.
Can You Use Acrylic Paint Without Gesso?
Gesso is a white paint mixture traditionally used as an undercoat on canvases and other surfaces before painting. It helps to prime the surface, making it smoother and more even for the paint to adhere to. However, you can use acrylic paint without gesso if you wish – the paint will just have a rougher texture and may not go on as evenly.

Credit: www.jacksonsart.com
Can I Use House Paint Instead of Gesso
Gesso is a specialized type of paint that’s often used as a primer for paintings. It’s usually white or off-white in color, and it has a slightly chalky texture. House paint can be used instead of gesso, but it’s not necessarily the best choice.
House paint is thinner than gesso, so it may not provide as good of a foundation for your painting. It can also be more difficult to control the thickness of house paint, which can lead to an uneven surface. And because house paint comes in a limited range of colors, you may not be able to find a shade that closely matches your canvas or supports your desired color palette.
Conclusion
If you’re wondering whether you can substitute white acrylic paint for gesso, the short answer is yes! Gesso is simply a type of paint that’s usually white and opaque, which makes it ideal for prepping a surface before painting. However, any kind of white paint will do the trick if you don’t have gesso on hand.

Emma, the founder of The Info Book, started with a passion for Blogging in 2013. She has continued her passion for Blogging and desire to improve her skills and wanted to share her journey and helpful knowledge with other like-minded individuals.
She launched The Info Book as an outlet for those interested in learning more about topics like automotive, sports in hopes that other’s can take what she learn and apply it for themselves!