Hide glues makes a very strong glue solution, which can be used not only as a size, but also as a very quick drying paint when mixed with dry pigments. For artistic purposes, Rabbitskin Glue remains the perfect blend of gel strength and adhesion although other hide glues and gelatines have different properties and are well worth investigating. Aside from providing a good surface onto which to paint, glue sizes prevent oils from penetrating into the canvas, causing it to rot.
Ingredients:
| 1 part | rabbitskin glue (powdered) | |
| ||
| 10 parts | water |
- Soak the powdered glue for half an then warm in a water bath using hot tap water.
- To do this, submerge the container into a larger container into which hot tap water is let to run. All hide glues lose strength when subjected to excessive heat and the traditional advice of using a double boiler overheats the glue past its optimum temperature of 140F.
How to use:
Keep the solution warm enough to make sure the glue remains liquid. Allow the canvas or panel to 'have a drink' by thinning the first coat) with an equal amount of water and brushing or sponging it into stretched linen or cotton canvas (or untempered Masonite panels previously brushed with alcohol). Once dry, brush on a coat of the full strength glue solution and allow to dry for a day.
