Sheppy Glutina D3 may be used as a replacement for Fish glue for many applications, but as it has slightly different characteristics, a small test area should be treated first to ensure that it is a suitable replacement for a particular application.

From ancient and medieval records, fish glue was both a common and important adhesive for many special applications; adapted by artists, it was used from the time of ancient Egypt to twentieth-century France, in painting media, coatings and grounds, in the gilding of illuminated manuscripts, and in pastel fixatives.

Art Restoration

Gesso is different from paint. Generally, it's thinner and creates a slightly rough surface when you apply it. Originally, gesso was a mixture of calcium--like chalk--in a thin base of animal glue. When you see religious paintings and icons on wood, they were probably painted over gesso. The gesso kept the paint from sinking into the wood too much, and it made the paint stick better if the wood surface was really smooth. But, gesso changed in the 20th century.
In 1955, Liquitex (an acrylic paint company) developed the first water-based acrylic gesso. It provided a consistent and inexpensive primer layer for both acrylic and oil paintings. In recent years, some artists have begun to question whether or not acrylic gesso is the right product to use under oil paint. While this isn't an issue for most people working in art journals, it's something to think about if you're also working with oils.

Glutina D3 is a specially formulated animal glue which will remain liquid at normal room temperatures. In temperature conditions below 10°C (50°F) the glue will go into a weak gel, and this gel becomes progressively stiffer as the temperature drops. However, it will return to a liquid state if it is gently warmed to approximately 16°C (60°F). Ideal storage should be ambient temperatures of 16-21°C (60-70°F) and off concrete floors to prevent the adhesive taking up the cold floor temperature. Care should be taken not to over-heat, otherwise the glue will become too thin and will have to be allowed to cool before it will return to its normal viscosity.

FOR HEALTH AND SAFETY DETAILS, PLEASE SEE LEAFLET NUMBER ADH/1A

REF: LEAFLET TECHNICAL/D3