Re: several things...


In Reply to: several things... posted by Alfredo Echeverria Ripstein on 11/19/00 at 12:20 PM:

: I haven't been to the forum for some time now; I have been a hermit and have been painting quite a bit.

: Questions (I am certain that Mr. Howard & Mr. Morton have the solutions) :

: 1.) Cassein and cassein Paint--- I saw photographs of some A. Mantegna 'distempers' done is Cassein. How does one use it and what good is it? Can cassein itself be used as a medium and if so, what are the merits yielded by this milk-product?

Casein is an excellent medium and, fortunately, the best manufacturer of casein paints, SHIVA, is still in business. But Mantegna's distemper paintings were done with hot hide glue and pigment, not casein.

: 2.) How can I successfully remove a mistake done in oil in my underpainting? {sand paper? solvent?}
Holbein sells a paint scraper which should help.

: 3.) Once I have my black oil, what steps do I follow with mastic (which is better, mastic tears or ready-made mastic varnish?)in order to make the 'Reubens' medium or what have you...
: I know that it is supposed to 'jelly' after the correct procedure.
: Also, is it safe to cook this in my kitchen or will I inadvertantly poison my entire household as a result of these alchemical endeavours?

It's dangerous to make that stuff at home. We offer it already made up (both the black oil and the double mastic varnish -- you can't use mastic picture varnish to get the gel). Go the www.studioproducts.com and to the quick catalogue and search out Maroger's medium. It's offered as the two parts which can be mixed fresh. Dangerous stuff to make unless you're set up for it.

: 4.) What wood is best as a painting surface?

One of our partners makes cradled mahogany panels for sale to museums and restorers. Much too expensive for us mere mortals. I use cradled Masonite panels primed with five coats of real gesso (not acrylic)

: thanking you in advance,
: Alfredo E. Ripstein.

 
A. A. Art. This Site designed and maintained by Alexei Antonov
Translation from Russian Copyright (c) 1999 Vladimir Pavlov.
Copyright (c) 1999 Alexei Antonov. All rights reserved.