Q:I wish to use Casein or Casein Silverpoint on wood panel for bole/gilding application and egg tempera painting of icons. Which is the better product for this application?
Asked by: Judy
- 5/21/2018
A: While most gilders prefer a traditional chalk ground made from chalk and rabbit skin glue, the Silverpoint Ground would be better suited as a substrate for bole, since it dries harder and is more absorbent.
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7 of 7 Customer(s) found this Answer helpful.
Q:How is casein gesso better than casein paint (such as Shiva titanium white), when preparing a ground for silverpoint (on paper)? Thank you.
Asked by: GH
- 11/21/2017
A: Shiva Casein Paint does not dry to permanent finish, whereas our Casein Gessoes do.
This ground also contains Zinc White, which allows for the tarnish marks that are left when a silverpoint comes in contact with the surface. Shiva Titanium White does not contain Zinc White.
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5 of 6 Customer(s) found this Answer helpful.
Q:Should I prime birch wood panels before applying the ground?
Asked by: Kathie Kane
- 8/27/2016
A: There is no need to prime the panels, but they should be sealed with a layer of shellac or PVA, in order to prevent uneven moisture absorption on the rest of the panel.
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4 of 4 Customer(s) found this Answer helpful.
Q:I have both of your casein gessoes for experimenting with grounds for watercolor on 300lb watercolor paper. Both seem pretty resistant to absorbing watercolor with much beading up. Am wondering how to make your dried and cured casein gesso more absorbent for watercolor.
Asked by: MissSallyAnn
- 10/27/2021
A: You can make the gessoes even more absorbent, by thinning the gesso with 10-20% water before application.
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4 of 4 Customer(s) found this Answer helpful.
Q:Hello,
I'd like to order Casein Absorbent Chalk Gesso and I just wanted to make sure if it's safe to ship this product in winter due to freeze/thaw conditions.
And the second question is whether you recommend to size the wood panel with Gac 200 or any other sizing medium.
Thank you!
Asked by: Vika
- 1/15/2021
A: All of our Casein products are not affected by freezing temperatures. We always recommend sealing any type of panel, before applying the ground.
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3 of 3 Customer(s) found this Answer helpful.
Q:Can you use the casein gesso in place of a traditional gesso for the base layer with bole and gilding over top for a frame?
Asked by: Kathy
- 3/12/2022
A: While we always recommend a traditional chalk ground, made with rabbit skin glue, we have some customers who use this silverpoint ground as a substrate successfully.
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1 of 1 Customer(s) found this Answer helpful.
Q:Hello,
Reading this gesso goes on any surface, just to avoid lots of errors, does it go on the Aluminium panels as well
I am always looking for lighter working surface because of arthritis
Thank you
Asked by: Madeleine
- 7/27/2022
A: The gesso should stick to the aluminum, IF the surface has been degreased and has a slight amount of tooth to it.
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Q:Any chance you could make this ground in black? Please??? I hate using acrylic gesso as a ground and I am limited to how much time I can spend drawing in metal point by my full time job. Although I would love to try creating my own archival black ground suitable for creating work to (try to) sell, I just don't have the time right now.
Asked by: Trish
- 2/4/2023
A: Our black gesso also responds to silver point abrasions.
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Q:I have stretched linen canvas over panel and plan on using the casein silverpoint gesso on this surface for silverpoint technique. Do you recommend applying PVA size or similar before building up the gesso?
Asked by: Mac
- 6/23/2023
A: We always recommend sizing with rabbit skin glue or PVA as a good practice.
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Q:The SP Ground has an incredible surface for Carbon pencils. I have had tarnishing reactions with silver, where an area around the mark has tarnished and discolored, that have not happened when drawing with aluminum wire. The paper the ground was brushed on was Plike by Neenah, I have not tried on Arches hot press or the like. Are there any known reactions with Carbon Black pencils?
Asked by: Steve
- 8/13/2023
A: Pretty much anything that comes in contact with the ground will leave some sort of mark. The silverpoint, however, leaves a mark that continues to tarnish with time. A carbon black pencil will mark, but not tarnish later.
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Q:Hi can I tint chalk ground casein gesso for silverpoint?
If with what? Pigment powder?
Thanks
Asked by: Bernadette Raho Jeavons
- 10/20/2023
A: Yes, you can add colorant to the gesso. Either Pigment that has been dispersed in water, or you can add watercolor. We do not recommend adding acrylic colors.
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Q:2 questions.
1. For silverpoint drawing, how long should the chalk gesso cure before it's hard enough to draw on.
2. I purchased the silverpoint chalk gesso from you about 5 years ago. I finally opened it today and stirred it. The gesso had separated from the liquid and I can't break up the lumps. Do you have any suggestions for me to make the ground smooth?
Thanks for your help.
Asked by: Sherry
- 1/2/2024
A: 1. You should be able to draw on the ground within 24 hours of application. 2. After 5 years the product is considered expired.
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