The Beginning...the Gesso

I purchased  pine board and  cut the wood into a 7.5 X 10 inch panel.   Following the directions from "The Painter's Manual" I set about making a traditional gesso to paint  on the boards.  Using rabbit skin glue and calcium carbonate ( powdered marble) I made a large batch of gesso and applied several thin layers, waiting for each layer to dry before the next layer was applied.  When the board was sufficiently covered and dry, I gently sanded it down removing any bubble marks and general uneveness

                                                                   Rabbit Skin Glue

                                                                   Powered Marble

                                                       The Above Two Combined=Gesso

                                            Painted Board  with picture of icon to be copied.