Rabbit Skin Glue

Glue Size Rabbit skin glue granules Water Double boiler (or similar) Soak the granules in cold water for at least 2 hours. A guideline for proportions would be: Canvas sizing             1 : 30  (granules : water) Chalk ground              1 : 15 Half chalk ground Heat the soaked solution in the top chamber of the double boiler until the size has melted (no granules are visible). Take care not to overheat and cook the solution, the lower part of the boiler should only brought to a simmer. Apply to the support, hot for hardboard, plywood and MDF; blood temperature for canvas, Read more

Grounds

  Egg / linseed oil emulsion Ground for canvas and panels I Egg Raw linseed oil Water Titanium white (or other) pigment Rabbit skin glue solution (1:30, glue to water) Sized panel (1:15 solution) or sized linen (1:30 solution) Break the egg into a glass jar and shake. Mark the level on the side of the jar and double the existing level with the oil. Again mark the level and double the quantity with water and shake to form an emulsion. This will store for 1 week in the fridge. Put some Titanium white pigment onto a glass slab and Read more

Surface Preparations

Chalk ground for panels   3 parts whiting 1 part Titanium white pigment (Optional) 3 parts glue size (1: 15 water)   Sized panel (1:15 solution)   On a glass slab form a well in the centre of the whiting and add the glue size, gradually folding in the powder and work with a palette knife until a firm but glossy paste is formed. If the mixture is too dry it can be adjusted with a small addition of 1:15 glue size, if too wet a small quantity of whiting can be added. The stiff paste can be stored in Read more