Maroger Medium: History, Use, and Misconceptions

• Defines Maroger Medium and its material properties
• Identifies the six base formulations described by Jacques Maroger
• Explains differences in handling, drying, and film behavior
• Establishes canvas preparation standards and common failure modes

• Never before in the history of the world, have you ever had a better selection of world class linens, now is the time to find that indescribable painting surface!

Mounting the Canvas

• The Part They Don’t Teach in Art School
• What traditional practice gets right—and what modern shortcuts often get wrong
• How to stretch your canvass like a true master!

Traditional Glue barrier

• Creates a protective barrier between the linen and oil paint

• Prevents oil penetration that can weaken the fibers over time

• Provides a firm, stable surface for controlled paint application

• Supports a smooth, glossy paint finish

Painting Grounds Overview

• Isolates the support
  Prevents oils, moisture, and acids from damaging the support and the paint film.
• Controls absorbency
  Determines how paint adheres, sinks in, or remains luminous on the surface.
• Affects handling and appearance
  Influences drag, edge control, color saturation, and working time.

Traditional Ground (Gesso)

• A foundational recipe every traditional painter should understand
• Less durable than modern grounds, but historically significant
• Requires strict control of measurements, water purity, and temperature
• Precision at every step is essential for a successful ground

Elmer’s Glue Recipe

• Provides stronger adhesion and greater durability than traditional glue methods
• Easier to prepare and apply with consistent results
• Forms a reliable barrier between linen and oil paint
• Suitable for painters seeking a stable, modern alternative to traditional sizing

Casein Ground

• Milk-based glue combined with gesso for a strong, porous ground
• Made directly from milk and prepared in the studio
• Requires several weeks of curing
• Favored by painters such as Nicolai Fechin for thick paint application

Oil Ground for Painting

• A favored ground for its balance of tooth and smooth paint flow
• Allows paint to move freely while maintaining surface control
• Preferred by painters such as David Leffel and Richard Schmidt

Rubin’s Variation No. 1 (Maroger Medium)

• One of several Maroger-based mediums described by Jacques Maroger
• Named here to distinguish it from related variations such as the Velázquez and Rembrandt formulas
• Maroger outlined six distinct base recipes, not a single medium
• Each variation differs significantly in handling and behavior

Maroger Medium: Rubens Variation No. 1

• A siccative that accelerates paint drying
• Best used when paint will be finished in one session
• Avoid adding it to all colors if paint will be kept for multiple days
• Apply sparingly, either on the palette or brush-by-brush