Rublev Colours Canada Balsam is a pale yellow, viscous oleoresin (with a faint greenish cast) sourced from the balsam fir tree (Abies balsamea) and related species. Famous in both traditional painting practice and optical work, it dries to a clear, transparent film and remains amorphous as it ages, meaning it does not crystallize over time. This stability helps preserve clarity and optical quality in finished films.

For painters and varnish makers, Canada Balsam is valued as a plasticizing resin for oil paint varnishes and paint mediums. It can help improve flexibility and working properties in varnish and resin mixtures, and it can also be used as a varnish component when diluted with compatible solvents such as spirits of gum turpentine, lavender spike oil, or a small amount of denatured alcohol (as used in traditional recipes).

Beyond fine art, Canada Balsam is widely used for microscope slide preparation and precision optical assemblies because its refractive index is close to glass when prepared in appropriate solutions, supporting clear, high-detail viewing.

Key features

• Dries clear and transparent

• Amorphous dried film - resists crystallizing with age

• Plasticizing resin for oil varnishes and paint mediums

• Pale yellow liquid with faint greenish cast

• Size: 59ml (2 fl oz) glass bottle

Storage and clean up
Store tightly closed in a cool, dark place to maintain essential properties. To remove residue from tools or hands, dissolve with a small amount of vegetable oil first, then wash with warm water and soap.