whiting and RSG

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simoonez
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whiting and RSG

Post by simoonez »

Hi folks,

We're just making some attempts to mix gesso with rsg and whiting that I received through buying retiring framers stock. They're unmarked in terms of supplier and I'm not sure how old they are.
My questions so far..
Can rsg in granule form go off?
Are different products of greater or lesser quality? particularly whiting - isn't it just chalk?

The main problems we're having is that rsg doesn't seem to be absorbing water very well in the initial soaking phase, and the mixes we're doing to the same (measured) recipes aren't consistent to each other.

Lastly, where do the gilding folk on here buy their materials? We're not talking gold at the moment we're trying to get gessoing to a certain level then go on gilding courses.

Many thanks in advance
Simon.
vintage frames
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Re: whiting and RSG

Post by vintage frames »

Hi Simoonez. Here's what I know, so far. RSG should keep in granular form for a few years at least. The longer it keeps the more moisture it loses so that may be a problem or over time it may have chemically degraded. Anyway, first try to soak it overnight, mix it on a 40gr RSG to 700ml water and then heat it to 70deg for use.
You're right, whiting is just chalk but selected and sieved for use as gesso. Make your gesso by adding say 300gr whiting to 300ml hot RSG. Stir - not whisk - until smooth. A useful trick is to set the gesso aside for some hours and then reheat to 70deg. That way the whiting seems to combine better with the RSG.
Goldleafsupplies have a very comprehensive list of raw materials. I get mine from Habberley Meadows. Prices are the same across the board and same for gold.
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