Traditional Gesso Shelf Life?

[Woodworks by John]

I recently took an outstanding workshop from Barbara Carter at the Scottsdale Artist School and am now in the process of doing a frame. I've used Dutch gold for quite a while but this process is fascinating! I would like to know from another gilding Grumbler how long can I keep gesso once it's mixed up with the rabbit skin glue? I have enough left to do at least another 16 x 20 frame but it'll be quite a while before I'll get to gilding that one. Is it false economy to try and save the material? Same goes for the gesso putty I mixed up for the inevitable, minor imperfections in my frames. As always, appreciate the advice -- John

 

[Rhonda]

traditional gesso

one week in the fridge - Rabbit skin glue is a natural product with fat and protein so it rots - You will instantly know if it is bad by a very distinct odor.

Rhonda Feinman
Rhonda Feinman Custom Frames Inc.
www.rhondafeinman.com

 

[Woodworks by John]

Gesso

Thanks for the info Rhonda, seeing how I live in Las Vegas and it's already getting warm I'll probably be smelling it soon!

 

[josephforthill]

I have had no trouble keeping it for much longer than a week in the fridge.

Worst thing, in my opinion, is like keeping milk - if you take it out, let it warm, expose to air, etc. frequently it will go bad more quickly. If I am making more than I will be using in very short term, when I mix it, I strain it into smaller jars, that way it will get used up without exposing the entire batch to warming. Nice full jars seem to keep longer.

Are you not ready to gild the second frame, or not ready to gesso? You can gesso the frame and let it sit for a long, long time without proceeding.

Joseph

 

[JFeig]

After a week or so you will also note that the gesso is more mealy than creamy in consistency.