frames

gesso

Eight coats of genuine gesso made from whiting and rabbit skin glue are applied by brush to a wooden blank, after the mitre joints have been silked with neat glue to prevent them opening over time. The corners and edges of a gessoed frame have a relaxed gently curved smoothness to them, profiles continue around the structure without being interrupted by joint lines.

casein

Subsequently, having “cut” the gesso to make it smooth, four coats of casein paint are applied by brush to achieve a matte, yet lustrous finish. Casein is a milk-based paint that has been used since the time of Ancient Egypt. It gradually loses solubility in water and becomes resistant to moisture, perhaps a reason for it’s having been used on picture frames over gesso for centuries. The coloured bands between gilded sections on antique frames are generally based on casein.

finish

Sides and outer edges are finally hand burnished with a cotton pad for protection. The whole process creates an effect of great beauty and subtlety that harmonises with the textural low sheen of the paintings.