Casein
(kay'seen) is a quick-drying, aqueous medium using a milk-based
binding agent, and is one of the most durable mediums known
to man. Nine thousand year old Casein cave paintings have
been discovered in Asia, and later, the medium was used
by Byzantine, Roman and Renaissance artists including the
Old Masters. In 1933, Casein pigments in tubes were developed
by Ramon Shiva who relied on the expertise of the artists
who used them to help perfect his high-quality paints.
Today,
Jack Richeson & Co., Inc. manufactures Shiva's Casein
colors and is dedicated to bringing back the original quality
and formulation of the pigments. Known for their versatility
and array of capabilities, Casein paints can be used to
create a variety of effects from the rich opaques of oil
to thin watercolor washes. Casein paints may be applied
to almost any rigid, non-oily surface such as canvas panel,
illustration board, heavy watercolor paper, plaster, metal,
wood, masonite, or canvas, or linen mounted on masonite.
And they can be reworked or layered repeatedly and be used
for underpainting.
Because Casein has an exceptional integrity of color and
always dries to a perfect matte finish, it is unexcelled
for art reproduction. The velvety matte finish can also
be buffed to a satin sheen or varnished to produce a resemblance
to oils. Over time, Casein pigments become resistant to
moisture and as history has proven, the medium has a durability
and permanence which has easily stood the test of time.
Commonly
asked Questions regarding Casein Paint
What kind of brushes should I use
with Casein and how should I clean them?
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. Or, if you really want to
get crazy, use all of them together. 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.
Can I mix and match Casein with other
media?
You can use Casein directly with watercolor, gouache and
acrylics. With oils, use Casein for underpainting or apply
it after you've applied an intermediary varnish.
How can I paint impasto when it's
not recommended for Casein?
Casein paints are in fact fine for a moderate impasto. To
achieve a heavy impasto, it is recommended that you paint
your impasto texture first, using thick gesso and a rough
bristle brush. Then paint with Casein on top in the normal,
liquid way.
If Casein is opaque, how can it be
used for washes?
Casein is opaque, especially when white is added. However,
when it's diluted with water, it can be applied in translucent
layers, creating a gauze-like effect.
When Casein dries, the values sometimes
seem slightly different from when they were wet. What can
I do about that?
Mix the color you want and apply a swatch on the area you
want to paint. Then use a hair dryer to dry the Casein quickly.
If the color's okay, go ahead. If not, remix it and try
it again until you're satisfied. And don't worry that you
have swatches with the wrong color, because with Casein,
it's as simple as painting over all the areas you've tested.
After you've painted with Casein a while, you will learn
which colors lighten and darken by instinct. And remember,
sometimes happy accidents "wake up" a painting!
Sometimes when I use layers of Casein,
the colors seem to look muddy. Why is this happening?
Applying too many layers of color or not allowing them to
dry thoroughly may mute or muddy colors. Speed up the drying
time with that handy hair dryer.
What is halftone black?
Even though Casein colors like titanium white and ivory
black are opaque, halftone black is finely dispersed, allowing
your underpainting to show through. When applied over another
color, the color changes with incredible results. For instance,
when you put halftone black over burnt sienna, you'll get
a beautiful purple. Halftone black is also great for shading
over flat areas of color.
I've heard that you should add white
to Casein when using it as a wash. Is this true?
Adding a touch of white to your Casein colors will help
you control your washes. Five percent white will make washes
lighten gradually from opaque to transparent instead of
changing too rapidly. Try it, you won't believe the difference!
Can I use Casein for Fresco painting?
For Fresco painting, Casein colors are thinned with water
and applied to cement or lime walls, either wet or dry.
The color should be of thin consistency.
Can Casein be used with resist-ink?
Some of the most exciting textural and tonal effects can
be achieved using this technique. Basically, it involves
nothing more than brushing waterproof black ink over a Casein
painting. The greater the variety of surface textures, the
more intriguing the results. Making sure the paint is completely
dry, fill a soft brush with the ink and stroke it over the
picture. It can be very black or diluted to different intensities.
While it is drying, the ink will be absorbed into the areas
with the thinnest coats of paint. The more thickly laid
textures will repel it. When it has dried, run it under
the faucet with cold water and allows the ink to wash off.
It will leave a mottled half tone effect.
I've decided I don't like something
in my painting. Can I change it?
That's
the beauty of Casein. It's correctable! Rub or scrub the
area with a damp cloth, paintbrush, or an eraser. If it's
dry, with a mixture of ammonia and water (one part ammonia
to nine parts water.)
What if I want to use a color that's
not available in the Shiva line?
It's
simple. Mix Shiva Casein Emulsion with powdered pigments:
Spray some water on your palette and scoop out the pigment
with a palette knife. Mix thoroughly into a paste and add
a few drops of Shiva Casein Emulsion. Mix again, and you're
ready to paint.
What kind of varnish should I use
with Casein?
Varnish
is a matter of preference. Shiva Casein Varnish or a gloss
varnish will intensify the color. Using a matte acrylic
varnish will preserve that “authentic Casein”
look.
What's the best way to apply varnish
to Casein?
If you
brush varnish over a painting with delicate glazes, some
lifting may occur, especially if your brush is too course.
If you've painted relatively thick, brushing on varnish
will work if you're careful. However, the easiest way is
to use spray varnish or Shiva Casein Varnish in a spray
gun or an aerosol can. Start the spraying process before
the nozzle is over the area to be varnished and apply it
in a diagonal direction over the painting, spraying in light,
quick trails. Let it dry and repeat the process until you
have the effect you want. When spraying varnish, open a
window and always wear a HEPA rated double filter air mask.
When you're finished, leave your studio until the fumes
have cleared out.
Does Casein Emulsion increase adhesion?
Does it affect drying time?
Casein
Emulsion does have an effect on Casein paints as it increases
adhesion and slows down the drying time.
Are Casein paints soluble with alcohol?
No, not
with alcohol. However, you can easily lift up mistakes by
using ammonia. Generally, a 1:9 ammonia and water mixture
will be what is needed.
Download
complete Casein How To Guide
Click
here to view Color Chart
Casein Medium
