Rublev Colours Canada Balsam is a pale yellow, syrupy oleoresin with a faint greenish cast, tapped from the balsam fir (Abies balsamea) and related species. It dries to a clear, transparent film and remains amorphous when dry, meaning it does not crystallise with age. This long-term stability helps maintain clarity and optical quality in finished films.
In traditional painting practice, Canada Balsam is valued as a plasticising resin for varnishes and paint mediums, helping improve flexibility and handling in resin and oil varnish mixtures. 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 (following traditional methods). Because it dries clear, it is especially useful when you want a transparent resin with reliable ageing behaviour.
Canada Balsam is also widely used in scientific and optical applications, including microscope slide preparation and precision optical assemblies, where stable optical properties are essential.
Key features
-
Dries to a clear, transparent film
-
Amorphous resin - resists crystallising over time
-
Plasticising resin for varnishes and oil painting mediums
-
Pale yellow, viscous liquid with faint greenish cast
-
118ml (4 fl oz) glass bottle
Storage and clean up
Store tightly closed in a cool, dark place. For hands or tools, dissolve residue with a little vegetable oil first, then wash with warm water and soap.
