Casein Painting

I've created this page because so many want to know more about casein painting. And while I enjoy sharing, I will just point people to this page if they want to learn the process. It's very simple. I'm still a novice but have figured out how to make it work.  Here are my notes:

Items needed:

• Borax (I use hand soap powder)

• Water

• Milk Protein (I like Ricotta Cheese- I've used milk powder from bulk isle as Carnation is too coarse-I've made curds by adding vinegar to milk-I didn't care for that- And Cottage Cheese takes more work to smooth out)

• Pigments (found at Guerra Paint in NY) If using dry pigments get a dusk mask with NIOSH N95 rating

• Optional- Slaked Lime (Lowe's/Home Depot- It only comes in a 50lb bag)

• Paper ( I use the coated paper made for acrylic and oil by Cason or Gesso'd Masonite Panel)

• Palette knives and brushes

I mix borax and water in a squirt bottle and test for grittiness by squirting a little on my fingers. I add water until it's all in suspension and not gritty.

Next with a pallet knife, I mix the milk protein with the borax water. I mash down while mixing to get a very smooth texture. Add the borax water until you have the consistency you want for painting. Too thick an application generally cracks as it's drying and it will take a few days to dry. I recommend a consistency like gravy. Just add more milk protein if too thin. After mixing a big pile of that, I split it up on a white plate and use a pallet knife to mix pigments in. I have dry pigments and some that come mixed in water (they can grind the pigments more finely and there's less inhalation hazard).  Add the borax water as needed. Interestingly, if you want to wipe the paper/panel and start over, you can just squirt the borax water on it and it will dissolve and allow you to wipe off the surface. It will remain stained.

Finally, once I added slaked lime a half teaspoon to a tablespoon of the mix. I painted a gesso'd  panel and when it dried it was solid and impervious to water.  I think that version could be used outside. 

Interesting facts..I've learned the Casein was used as the glue that held the first wooden/canvas aircraft together. Casein is why Elmer's glue has a cow on the label. And the Quakers used it for painting furniture.