Rublev Colours Traditional Silverpoint Ground 500g is a ready to use dry mix ground inspired by Cennino Cennini’s 15th century recipe, made to create the ideal surface for silverpoint and metalpoint drawing. Once prepared, it forms a finely abrasive, eggshell like ground that lets silver, gold, copper, and other metal points deposit crisp, permanent lines with excellent control and subtle tonal build up.

This traditional ground is formulated for the right absorbency, texture, surface hardness, and strong adhesion on paper or rigid supports such as wood panels. It contains finely ground calcite (calcium carbonate), titanium dioxide, silica, and rabbit skin glue to produce a durable surface that holds detail beautifully. Because metal particles embed into the ground, silverpoint marks cannot be smudged, and they naturally darken over time as the silver oxidises, creating a rich patina and added depth.

Ideal for

• Silverpoint and metalpoint drawing on heavyweight paper or wood panels

• Coloured grounds (tint with compatible pigment dispersions for classic Renaissance style grounds)

• Egg tempera, distemper, watercolour, and oil painting grounds (for oil, apply a thin imprimatura to reduce absorbency and help prevent sinking in)

Directions (summary)

1. Mix equal parts by volume of dry ground and warm water.

2. Stir and leave for at least 2 hours until it gels.

3. Warm gently in a hot water bath (no hotter than 65 C) until liquid.

4. Brush on thin coats, allowing each coat to dry. Apply at least four coats.

5. Sand the final coat if a smoother finish is desired. Store leftovers refrigerated and rewarm for reuse.