From Richeson: Casein (kay’seen) is a quick-drying, aqueous medium using a milk-based binding agent, and is one of the most durable mediums in history. 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.
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. 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.
Casein differs from other media, yet it shares many of the same characteristics, which make it a very versatile medium that lends itself to many techniques. Casein has the wash capabilities of watercolor, the smooth opacity of tempera and gouache, and the richer textures of oils and acrylics. Brushes dipped in casein keep their finesse, producing clear, crisp lines. Unlike oils, casein is a clean, water-soluble medium requiring no strong solvents. And because it dries quickly, it’s possible to lay on a glaze and move onto the next stage within a few hours instead of waiting for days, or even months, for oil glazes over oil to dry. In comparison to watercolors, the main advantage of casein is that it’s easily correctable. It can be removed with a cloth, brush or eraser. Artists who paint with Casein:Patty Haller, Cennino Cennini, Matisse, Ramon Shiva, Michelle Muldrow, James Gurney, Thomas Hart Benton, Andrew Wyeth
I’ve loved Franz Kline’s black and white abstracts for years. I didn’t know until recently that the forms were sparked by the shapes of a rocking chair, and that he used a projector to see his inspirations large on the wall before he painted. OMG because I use a projector too! I must be just like …
This is one in a series of posts showcasing work made by students in the League’s online classes. We have now been in quarantine for twelve months. In the last year, the League has grown in numbers, and our artistic voice as a school has evolved. We started working with Special Guest Star Fran O’Neill …
Have you ever gone shopping for easels and found the options of fall-apart folding easels vs. expensive hardwood calliopes, and thought “what the heck do artists buy?” The answer might surprise you. Many painters don’t use easels at all. For my biggest paintings, two 4x4x16” pieces of wood service nicely. They lift a painting off …
[image_with_animation image_url=”6299″ alignment=”” animation=”None” box_shadow=”none” max_width=”100%”] Sara Rahbar Wiki: Sara Rahbar (born in 1976 in Tehran, Iran) is a contemporary, mixed media artist based in New York City. Her work ranges from photography to sculpture to installation and often stems from her personal experiences and is largely autobiographical. In 1982, Rahbar and her family fled …
What is Casein?
From Richeson: Casein (kay’seen) is a quick-drying, aqueous medium using a milk-based binding agent, and is one of the most durable mediums in history. 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.
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. 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.
Casein differs from other media, yet it shares many of the same characteristics, which make it a very versatile medium that lends itself to many techniques. Casein has the wash capabilities of watercolor, the smooth opacity of tempera and gouache, and the richer textures of oils and acrylics. Brushes dipped in casein keep their finesse, producing clear, crisp lines. Unlike oils, casein is a clean, water-soluble medium requiring no strong solvents. And because it dries quickly, it’s possible to lay on a glaze and move onto the next stage within a few hours instead of waiting for days, or even months, for oil glazes over oil to dry. In comparison to watercolors, the main advantage of casein is that it’s easily correctable. It can be removed with a cloth, brush or eraser. Artists who paint with Casein:Patty Haller, Cennino Cennini, Matisse, Ramon Shiva, Michelle Muldrow, James Gurney, Thomas Hart Benton, Andrew Wyeth
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I’ve loved Franz Kline’s black and white abstracts for years. I didn’t know until recently that the forms were sparked by the shapes of a rocking chair, and that he used a projector to see his inspirations large on the wall before he painted. OMG because I use a projector too! I must be just like …
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This is one in a series of posts showcasing work made by students in the League’s online classes. We have now been in quarantine for twelve months. In the last year, the League has grown in numbers, and our artistic voice as a school has evolved. We started working with Special Guest Star Fran O’Neill …
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Have you ever gone shopping for easels and found the options of fall-apart folding easels vs. expensive hardwood calliopes, and thought “what the heck do artists buy?” The answer might surprise you. Many painters don’t use easels at all. For my biggest paintings, two 4x4x16” pieces of wood service nicely. They lift a painting off …
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[image_with_animation image_url=”6299″ alignment=”” animation=”None” box_shadow=”none” max_width=”100%”] Sara Rahbar Wiki: Sara Rahbar (born in 1976 in Tehran, Iran) is a contemporary, mixed media artist based in New York City. Her work ranges from photography to sculpture to installation and often stems from her personal experiences and is largely autobiographical. In 1982, Rahbar and her family fled …