Williamsburg - Rabbit Skin Glue

Rabbit Skin Glue

Prime canvas for oil painting with traditional sizing

Traditional canvas preparation requires sizing that penetrates fibers without excessive stiffness; rabbit skin glue achieves this balance through centuries of proven performance. This crystallized powder dissolves in warm water to create a flexible sizing that seals canvas while maintaining its natural responsiveness under paint layers. The protein-based composition creates an effective barrier between raw fabric and oil grounds, preventing oil absorption that causes fiber deterioration over time.

Williamsburg sources genuine rabbit skin glue and processes it into fine crystals that dissolve cleanly without lumps or residue. The resulting solution applies smoothly with brush or spatula, penetrating canvas weave to create uniform protection. Beyond sizing, this glue serves as a strong adhesive for fabric lamination, panel preparation, and traditional gilding techniques where reversibility matters.

Prepare the glue by blooming crystals in cold water, then gently heating until dissolved, never boiling, which destroys binding properties. Apply warm sizing in thin coats, allowing each layer to dry before adding grounds. Artists working with traditional techniques appreciate the archival properties and working characteristics that synthetic alternatives struggle to replicate. One container provides enough sizing for multiple large canvases when mixed at proper ratios.