- Water-soluble
- Quick-drying
- Excellent adhesive qualities
- Use on almost any grease-free surface, including canvas, board, wood, gesso, paper, cement, plaster, and glass.
Until the advent of acrylics, caseins, which use a milk-based binder, were used by most artists. Once again artists are discovering the variety of effects that can be achieved through the use of Caseins. They can be applied in any manner, from impasto to thin watercolor-like washes. Though naturally matte, caseins can be brought to a satin sheen by buffing with a soft cloth, or for a gloss finish, the painting can be varnished.
Caseins may be used to successfully produce a painting with the transparency of a watercolor, the smooth opacity of tempera and gouache, the heavy textures of acrylic and oils, or anything in between. Caseins are water-soluble, but they dry rapidly and become impervious to moisture. They can be superimposed repeatedly without lifting or pulling the underpainting. All Shiva Casein colors are chemically pure pigments and are permanent to light, gases, alkalies and acids.
- What brush should I use with Casein and how should it be cleaned? - You can use almost any kind of brush depending on the effect you want to create everything from stiff white brushes to soft hair watercolor brushes, oil brushes, Chinese brushes and fine points for tempera style. Because it dries quickly, Casein can be hard on brushes, so make sure you clean them thoroughly with gentle soap and water or a commercial cleaner when your painting day is over.
- What kind of water should I use with Casein? - Some people recommend distilled water, but ordinary tap water seems to work just fine.
- Is Casein archival? - Yes. Properly done and with a protective varnish, Caseins can last longer than oils, especially oils on canvas. They will not crack or yellow and are perfect for art restoration.
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Caseins can be applied in any manner, from impasto to thin watercolor-like washes. |
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