People often remark how rich and lively my paint looks, how vivid the colors are, what beautiful quality the work has. It is always followed by "What kind of varnish do you use?" The answer is not in the top layer of the painting but on the bottom. Without a good foundation whatever comes on top will suffer. I don't believe in painting secrets so here is how I prepare my ground. Start with a good piece of linen. Stretch it by hand so that it is neither drum tight nor floppy. Gently heat rabbit skin glue, 40:1, 40 parts water to 1 part glue. When the glue is completely dissolved it is ready, don't let it boil or it becomes rubbery. I use 3 coats of glue to size the linen and isolate the oil ground from the fabric. The first coat can be applied warm with a large brush. Don't be stingy, you need to saturate the linen. When the first coat is thoroughly dry brush on the second coat, not hot, at room temperature. Allow it to dry then add a third coat. You are now ready to apply the lead ground. Since white lead has been banned as commercial paint you have to buy it from an art supplier or grind it yourself. I find the lead goes on easily if it is warm. I make a double boiler by putting some lead in a glass jar and then heating it in a pot of water on a hot plate. Lead fumes are toxic so do this with a lot of ventilation, I do it in my barn. Apply the lead to the canvas using a large palette knife, fill the weave and scrape off the excess. When this is dry add a second coat. Two coats are enough unless you have a very heavy weave then you may want to add a third coat. After it is thoroughly dry you are ready for the final coat of glue. Sprinkle some dry pigment (the one pictured here is terra rosa) on the surface and brush on the same glue that was used at the beginning. It's as easy as 3-2-1, glue-lead-glue. Beautiful. Now you are ready to paint a masterpiece.....