Gesso typically takes anywhere from several minutes to several hours to dry, depending on the climate and the type of gesso being used. If the air is dry, the gesso will dry faster. Generally, if thin layers are used and left to dry overnight, it should be dry enough to work with the next day. If thicker layers are used, it may take up to two days for the gesso to be fully cured. Additionally, if an acrylic-based gesso is used, it may take longer to dry than a traditional PVA-based gesso.