Gesso is wonderful stuff. Paint this nearly-indestructible acrylic stuff on virtually any surface and you can paint on it. Canvas, board, masonite, newspring, paper mache, you name it. And one of the joys of being an Art Student is learning all of the how it is done stuff. But Gesso is tough stuff, don't use that good $35 red sable brush, or let the stuff dry on it. You can just toss it, cuz' that stuff ain't NEVER comin' out.