Acrylic formulas: Use equal parts acrylic white or acrylic gesso and zinc oxide powder, by volume. Mix it thoroughly, then add enough water to make it the consistency of half-and-half or light cream. Apply one, two or three coats, as above, to stretched paper or panel.

Can you paint over silverpoint?

You do however need to prepare some sheets of paper on which to work before you can begin. There are various available recipes to help you make your own primers for metalpoint of all types, and there are ready-mixed drawing grounds available to buy that you can then paint directly onto your surface.

What is the ground in drawing?

Short for 'background', a ground is the very first layer of paint (or other wet medium) applied to an artwork. It is an undercoat, which can either be covered entirely by subsequent media, or left visible in the final work. Using a ground has several practical advantages, as well as some important aesthetic ones.