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Trade Secrets: The ‘Doratura Cremonese’ ground method

2025-02-14T08:00:00

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How to make and apply a ground coat with a deep golden yellow colour

By Pietro Fioramonte

Luthier based in Mittenwald, Germany

Preparing wood for painting, as described by Cennino Cennini in his 15th-century book Il Libro dell’Arte, involves several important steps to ensure the surface is ready to be worked on. While this could be achieved by sanding and scraping, it could also mean applying a ground layer, typically made from a mixture of chalk and rabbit-skin glue, which creates a suitable base for applying varnish…

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