Rublev Colours Traditional Silverpoint Ground

Traditional Silverpoint Ground is formulated to provide the right absorbency, texture, surface hardness, and excellent adhesion to wood or paper. It contains finely ground calcite (calcium carbonate), titanium dioxide, silica, and rabbit skin glue.

Uses for Traditional Silverpoint Ground

Traditional Silverpoint Ground is best used on rigid supports like wood panels and paper. We recommend using heavyweight paper for the ground. It is also well suited for egg tempera, distemper, watercolor, and oil paint. For oil painting, we recommend applying a thin coat of imprimatura to reduce absorbency and help to prevent sinking in.

The suggested four coats yield an eggshell-like surface that is indescribable to draw on. Traditional Silverpoint Ground can be easily tinted with Rublev Colours Aqueous Pigment Dispersions to achieve colored grounds like those described by Cennino Cennini in his 15th-century treatise. Tint the ground with yellow ocher, indigo, or alizarin crimson to achieve the traditional yellow, blue, and salmon-colored prepared grounds from the Italian Renaissance.

Directions

• Mix equal parts by volume of dry Traditional Silverpoint Ground into a container with warm water.
• Stir and allow to stand for at least two hours. It will gel.
• Place the container in a pot full of hot tap water—no hotter than 65° C (150° F). The gel will liquefy. Be sure that all glue flakes are completely dissolved.
• Apply the liquid gesso with a broad brush. Allow each coat to dry.
• Apply at least four coats to produce the best surface for painting. Sand the final coat, if desired, for a smoother surface.
• The leftover ground can be stored in a jar or other closed container in the refrigerator and warmed the next day for more applications. The ground can be stored for several days at cold temperatures.