Linseed Paint and Oil: A Practical Guide to Traditional Production and Application
By: Michiel Brouns
Michiel Brouns knows linseed oil paint. As the proprieter of Brouns & Co, a U.K.–based manufacturer of traditional linseed-oil paints, Brouns is globally regarded as an expert in his field. And in his decades of work in historic building preservation (he has done work in Windsor Castle and Woburn Abbey, among many others), Brouns rediscovered the virtues of natural linseed-oil paint. Rather than coating and isolating wood in petrochemicals (which leads almost inevitably to moisture issues and rot) as modern paints do, linseed-oil paint creates a breathable protective layer that is ideal for longevity. In fact, some structures in Europe still have surviving painted surfaces that are over 500 years old. It doesn’t require priming or undercoating, and is sourced entirely from natural materials.
We are pleased to offer Brouns’ new book, Linseed Paint and Oil: A Practical Guide to Traditional Production and Application, in the M&T store. It is a thorough look at linseed-oil paint: what it is, how it functions on a molecular level, how to use it, and how it can play a pivotal role in making building more sustainable. Brouns has traveled extensively, spreading the word about the virtues of linseed paint and educating consumers about their options when it comes to wood protection – he even stopped by the M&T shop in Maine back in 2022 for a visit. He is passionate, articulate, and optimistic, and his writing reveals these qualities to his readers. The book is filled with beautiful photos alongside practical insight, and is valuable to anyone who wants to learn more about a greener, longer-lasting, and more effective wood finish.
7.5" x 9.75". Softcover. Published by The Crowood Press, Wiltshire, U.K. 2023. 112 pages.
