Glue Gesso: Rabbit-Skin Glue and Chalk for Painting Panels

Traditional gesso is animal glue and chalk: a white, absorbent ground for wooden panels, needed for egg tempera (acrylic gesso does not take it). Soak rabbit-skin glue, melt it warm in a double boiler, stir in sifted chalk until creamy, strain it, and keep it warm while you brush on many thin coats. It is brittle, so use it on rigid surfaces only. The picture: our diagram, glue and chalk to warm gesso.