Casein

As low as $8.80
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SKU
510-6330

Casein or milk powder is used as a binder for making milk paint and glue. Available in packages of 100 gram, 500 gram, and 1 kilogram bags. Casein makes an all natural, non-toxic, zero VOCs artistic medium and adhesive. Use it alone or mix with natural pigments. See casein paint recipes below.

Casein is a milk protein that is insoluble in water, but can be made into a water-based paint or glue by dissolving in water with an alkali, such as borax or ammonia. It makes a fast-drying paint that was used in ancient Egypt as tempera paint and widely used by commercial illustrators in the twentieth century. One of the qualities that artists value casein paint for is that, unlike gouache, it dries to an even consistency making it ideal for murals. It also works well as an underpainting for other painting techniques, such as oil painting.

Casein Lime Paint

Ingredients

100 parts by weight Casein (powder)
100 parts by weight Slaked Lime (calcium hydroxide)
800 parts by weight Chalk
1 part by weight Borax

Mix the powders together thoroughly. The combined powder can be stored indefinitely in this form and water added when needed. Once water is added, it must be used right away. To prepare the paint, add 50 parts by weight of water to 100 parts by weight of the combined powder with constant stirring. Continue stirring until the mixture is smooth and free from lumps. Next, cover the mixture with a thin layer of water and let stand for half an hour. Add more water until a workable paint is obtained of about the same consistency of house paint. It should be used without delay, as it will set hard in a relatively short time, becoming unfit for use in about twelve hours. Color pigments can be added to this mixture to make a wide variety of tints. Simply add an amount of pigment and reduce the chalk by the same amount.

Casein Borax Paint

Ingredients

15 parts by weight Casein (powder)
100 parts by weight Cold Water
5 parts by weight Borax
25 parts by weight Hot Water
50 parts by weight Chalk
15 parts by weight Pigment(s)

Place the casein in a bowl and pour in the cold water. Let it soak for at least one hour. Stir the borax into the hot water in a saucepan or pot until dissolved. Stir the casein solution until smooth and free from lumps. When the casein solution is smooth, add the borax solution to it with stirring. Heat this mixture to 82° C. (180° F.) using a double boiler for a maximum of 15 minutes then allow it to cool. Gradually sift in the chalk, mix until smooth and let stand for half an hour. Add the pigment and adjust the thickness of the paint by adding more water. It should be used without delay, as it will set hard in a relatively short time, becoming unfit for use in about twelve hours. Color pigments can be added to this mixture to make a wide variety of tints. Simply add an amount of pigment and reduce the chalk by the same amount.

Casein Borax Paint (For Artists' Use)

Ingredients

15 parts by weight Casein (powder)
100 parts by weight Cold Water
5 parts by weight Borax
25 parts by weight Hot Water

Place the casein in a bowl and pour in the cold water. Let it soak for at least one hour. Stir the borax into the hot water in a saucepan or pot until dissolved. Stir the casein solution until smooth and free from lumps. When the casein solution is smooth, add the borax solution to it with stirring. Heat this mixture to 82° C. (180° F.) using a double boiler for a maximum of 15 minutes then allow it to cool. Pre-wet your pigments with water and add the cooled casein solution to the pigment until you have the consistency you desire. Thin this paint with water for use.

As with all water-based paint, the pigment has to be wetted first. This is done by adding small amounts of water to the dry pigment. Using a palette knife or spatula, mix the water into the pigment until it has a paste consistency. Add the casein solution to the pigment paste sparingly. The casein to pigment ratio cannot be given in exact proportions. The amount of pigment varies according to the pigment. To test for sufficient binder, apply a small amount of the paint to a substrate and allow to dry. If the pigment comes off after a gentle rubbing, add more casein solution. Once pigment and binder have been combined to the desired consistency, the resulting paint can be thinned with water.

The shelf life of casein is indefinite if stored in a cool, dry location.

Physical Properties
Appearance:Off-white powder
Moisture Content:9–12%
Ash Content:4% maximum
Fat Content:3% maximum
Protein Content:82–88%
Solubility:Complete in 15% borax
Viscosity (ammonia method):700–3200 cps (15% total solution @ 25° C.)
Particle Size:30 U.S. Mesh
More Information
SKU510-6330
BrandRublev Colours
VendorNatural Pigments
Processing TimeUsually ships the next business day.

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