Rublev Colours Lead Oil Ground: Superior Foundation for Oil Paintings

Rublev Colours Lead Oil Ground is a blend of white pigments and linseed oil for a semi-absorbent ground ideal for oil painting. Depending on local conditions, such as humidity, light, and temperature, it dries within two days to one week.

Rublev Colours Lead Oil Ground contains lead white, titanium white, and ground calcite (chalk) in just the right proportions to make a paint film that remains flexible and tough with some absorbency. We carefully chose a blend of alkaline-refined and bodied linseed oil so there is some penetration into the support to assure good adhesion and maintain sufficient holdout to establish a good foundation for paint layers. This blend of linseed oil also provides leveling, so brush, and knife marks are minimized. Rublev Colours Lead Oil Ground has a high concentration of pigments, so usually, only two coats are necessary, but more coats create a smoother surface. Apply directly onto panels or on canvas sized with acrylic dispersions, polyvinyl acetate (PVA), or animal collagen glue. Rublev Lead Oil Ground is an excellent foundation for oil and alkyd paints.

The essential characteristics that grounds should have are (1) adhesion, 2) flexibility, 3) penetration control, 4) a type of surface to which upper layers can adhere well, 5) blister and crack resistance, and 6) good application properties. Careful selection of ingredients in an oil ground is essential to impart these qualities to the ground. Ground natural calcite (calcium carbonate or GCC) in combination with lead white (basic lead carbonate) and a maximum chalk-resistant grade of rutile titanium dioxide have proven to be an excellent choice of pigments in such oil grounds.

Pigments

We make Rublev Colours Lead Oil Ground using all three white pigments; calcite (ground calcium carbonate, such as chalk or whiting), lead white (basic lead carbonate), and titanium white (titanium dioxide) in just the right proportions to make a film that remains flexible, tough and has some degree of absorbency.

The dry ground calcite in Rublev Colours Lead Oil Ground has a closely controlled particle size distribution. This grade of calcite is designed to provide the lowest possible oil absorption. It offers the desired penetration control with maximum chalk resistance. Calcite aids in forming the type of surface on grounds to which upper layers will adhere easily.

Lead white, and to a lesser degree, ground calcite, have low water absorption properties and hence develop better blister and crack resistance. Furthermore, lead white contributes to more film flexibility.

The presence of titanium white increases the opacity of this ground and provides a brilliant white surface. We have selected a grade of titanium white that exhibits good hiding, excellent dispersion properties, and excellent chalking resistance.

Does Not Contain Zinc Oxide

Many manufacturers use zinc white (zinc oxide) to get a brighter white in their white grounds and paint. Zinc oxide is not recommended in oil grounds since it tends to cause blistering and cracking in oil paint and grounds—we have not used any zinc in this product.

Vehicle

After many trials, we have carefully chosen a specific blend of refined linseed oil with heat-bodied linseed oil such that there is a limited penetration of the oil into the canvas or panel to assure good adhesion to this substrate and yet maintain sufficient holdout to establish a good foundation for the upper layers. This blend of linseed oil also provides the best possible leveling properties, so brush, and knife marks are minimized.

As part of the vehicle, Rublev Colours Lead Oil Ground contains mineral spirits to provide the right fluid consistency and to hasten drying.

Driers

A blend of cobalt, zirconium, and calcium driers has been added in precise amounts to ensure rapid drying once it is applied.

Storage

Rublev Colours Lead Oil Ground contains an anti-skinning agent to prevent skinning and drying in the can during storage. If kept tightly closed, the contents can be expected to last indefinitely, but we recommend purchasing only an amount that can be used within one year.

Directions

STIR WELL BEFORE USING. Using a bristle brush, brush the first coat of Rublev Colours Lead Oil Ground evenly across the canvas or panel. Remove any excess and smooth the surface with a brush or palette knife. Let it dry completely—hard dry. Apply at least one more coat by repeating the process. Allow the canvas or panel to dry thoroughly before painting.

Rublev Colours Lead Oil Ground can be thinned with mineral spirits, odorless mineral spirits (OMS), or turpentine if necessary. For best results, do not over-dilute.

Health and Safety

WARNING! CONTAINS LEAD AND PETROLEUM DISTILLATES. HARMFUL IF SWALLOWED. Avoid ingestion and skin contact. Wear protective clothing and gloves to prevent contact with the skin. Avoid inhaling fumes of mineral spirits. Use with adequate ventilation. Never use near children or pets. Conforms to ASTM D 4236.

DANGER
CONTAINS LEAD / CONTIENT DU PLOMB
DO NOT APPLY TO SURFACES ACCESSIBLE TO CHILDREN OR PREGNANT WOMEN.
NE PAS APPLIQUER SUR UNE SURFACE ACCESSIBLE AUX ENFANTS OU AUX FEMMES ENCEINTES.
Must be used exclusively as material for the purposes of arts, crafts or hobbies, not for use by children. Utiliser uniquement aux fins suivantes comme matériaux pour les besoins d'art, d'artisanat ou passe-temps, pas pour une utilisation par les enfants.