[Rod Lamkey]

Thanks, Juan, for the information about shellac. I've been telling people that their portraits will last 'for generations',. As I've only used shellac to cut down the absorbency of traditional gesso so far, the paintings I've done to date will probably last.

Meanwhile I find myself between two schools of thought: some friends insist that traditional gesso, with rabbit skin glue, is the only way to go, while everybody else says that acrylic gesso, with titanium white, is just as permanent. The traditionalists imply that acrylic gesso may not be archival.

You cleared the air to my satisfaction and I know what to do. Now I am wondering about various kinds of plywood, but I'll add a different post, for that..
Thanks again, Juan.

Rod