Why I built my own Shopify theme for artists
I'm Kevin Hunter, a painter. I sell originals, prints and commissions through this shop, and for years I fitted my work into themes made for fashion and gadgets. So I built Gesso: a Shopify theme for artists, photographers, illustrators and makers, shaped by the questions my own collectors ask.
Built by an artist, for creatives
A theme made from real buyer questions
When someone is thinking about buying an original painting, they don't ask about colour swatches. They ask how big it really is, how it will look on their wall, whether it's framed, and whether I can tweak it for them. Print buyers want to compare sizes and prices quickly. Commission clients need a simple way to tell me what they have in mind.
The themes I tried were beautiful, but none of them answered those questions on the page. The premium ones cost up to $400 and still needed apps to do the basics an art shop needs. I was forever tweaking my own site. Every time I hit a problem, I built a Shopify app to fix it. Then one day it hit me: why not build the theme I'd always wanted, and let everyone else use it too?
So I built Gesso around how art actually sells. Every feature started as a question from a real buyer, and this shop is where I test it first.
A Shopify theme for artists, photographers and makers
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Painters and fine artists
Sell originals and limited edition prints side by side, show sold work as a portfolio, and take commissions without endless emails.
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Photographers
Large, calm image layouts, print size comparison and open or limited editions for selling photography prints.
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Illustrators
Show series and collections, sell prints and originals, and let fans ask about custom work.
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Makers and crafters
Ceramics, textiles, jewellery and handmade homeware. The Craft room style gives a warm, handmade look for one-off pieces.
Built-in features for selling art online
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View in a room
Buyers see the artwork on a wall at its real size, or on a photo of their own wall.
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Print size comparison
Every print size shown side by side, so buyers pick the right one first time.
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3-step commission brief
A guided form that collects size, subject and budget before you reply.
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Edition counter
Shows how many of a limited edition are left.
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Sold work as portfolio
Sold originals stay on your site as proof of your work, instead of disappearing.
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Ask the artist
A quick question button on every artwork page, with topics like framing, size and delivery.
Coming soon to the Shopify Theme Store
Gesso also has search engine features built in: structured data for artworks, your business, FAQs and breadcrumbs, so Google and AI search can understand your shop. It comes in three styles: Gesso, Craft room and Print room.
Gesso has been submitted to the Shopify Theme Store and is in review now. It will launch at $220, a one-time price. Join the newsletter below to hear the day it goes live.
Questions about Gesso
What is the best Shopify theme for artists?
The best theme is one built for how art sells: big images, real sizes, room views, editions and commissions. Gesso was built by a working artist to do exactly that without extra apps.
Is Gesso good for photographers?
Yes. The Print room style is made for photography and print sellers, with print size comparison and limited or open editions.
Can I use Gesso for crafts and handmade products?
Yes. The Craft room style is designed for makers selling ceramics, textiles, jewellery and other one-off pieces.
When will Gesso be available?
Gesso is in review for the Shopify Theme Store now. It will appear there as soon as Shopify approves it.
How much does Gesso cost?
Gesso will launch at $220, a one-time payment through the Shopify Theme Store.
Does this shop use Gesso?
Yes. You're looking at it. This shop runs on Gesso, so every artwork page here shows the theme working for a real art business.
Who makes Gesso?
Gesso is made by Amethyst Apps, the studio of painter Kevin Hunter. Help and support are at amethystapps.com/pages/gesso-support.
Want to see the kind of work Gesso was built for? Browse my paintings and prints, or get in touch about a commission.