Lead white gesso 500g

Lead Oil Ground is a blend of white pigments and linseed oil for a semi-absorbent ground ideal for oil painting. It dries within two days to one week, depending upon local conditions, such as humidity, light and temperature.

Lead Oil Ground contains lead white,  and ground calcite (chalk) in just the right proportions to make a paint film that remains flexible and tough with some absorbency. We carefully chose a blend of alkaline-refined and bodied linseed oil so there is some penetration into the support to assure good adhesion and yet maintain sufficient holdout to establish a good foundation for paint layers. This blend of linseed oil also provides leveling, so brush and knife marks are minimized. Rublev Colours Lead Oil Ground has a high concentration of pigments so usually only two coats are necessary, but more coats create a smoother surface. Apply directly onto panels or on canvas sized with acrylic dispersions, polyvinyl acetate (PVA), or animal collagen glue. Rublev Lead Oil Ground is an excellent foundation for oil and alkyd paints.

The important characteristics that grounds should have are (1) adhesion, 2) flexibility, 3) penetration control, 4) a type of surface to which upper layers can adhere well, 5) blister and crack resistance, and 6) good application properties. A careful selection of ingredients in an oil ground is essential to impart these qualities to the ground. Ground natural calcite (calcium carbonate or GCC) in combination with lead white (basic lead carbonate) and a maximum chalk-resistant grade of rutile titanium dioxide have proven to be an excellent choice of pigments in such oil grounds.