PLEASE SCROLL BELOW TO LEARN ABOUT THE NEW MUCILAGE
REMOVAL METHOD I CREATED IN 2018 -

THE  " CSO PSYLLIUM HUSK-WATER METHOD"

THESE ARE THE TWO CURRENT CSO METHODS OF MUCILAGE REMOVAL
both are fully described in my books

1. The 'CSO PSYLLIUM HUSK - ALCOHOL METHOD'.
This is the method I based on Pacheco's method of 1649. It uses strong alcoholic liquor of 87% Ethanol. I discovered and
pioneered the use of Psyllium Husk for use of mucilage removal from unrefined flax-linseed oil.
It takes 10 days to remove the mucilage.
Instructions are on page 38 of my book    Volume 1: Oil Painting Lessons with Rembrandt and Calcite Sun Oil

2. The 'CSO PSYLLIUM HUSK ( Velasquez-Tavenier ) AIR PUMP METHOD'.
An alcohol free method created by Daniel Tavenier ( of The Netherlands) and myself in April 2015.
It is the simplest method of the three and removes the mucilage within 24 to 36 hours.
Full instructions are in    Volume 2: Oil Painting Lessons with Rembrandt and Calcite Sun Oil



ALLBACK SWEDISH LINSEED OIL
IS NOT RECOMMENDED FOR
FINE ART PAINTING

They produce 2 kinds:
BOILED and PURIFIED

My tests used the oil right from the
container.
The water test shows the cloudy mucilage
resting on the water.

#6 = ON YOUR LEFT; Their Purified Oil
#10 = ON YOUR RIGHT: Their BOILED oil

SEE THE REPORT EXPLAINING WHY I
CANNOT RECOMMEND ALLBACK
LINSEED OIL FOR FINE ART PAINTING
BARLEANS UNREFINED FLAX OIL
#11=On your left, is the UNCLEAN oil right out of the
bottle. It is known to be full of mucilage. SEE HOW
CLOUDY  the raw unclean oil is when resting on the
water.
WATER is POLAR and draws down the soluble
mucilage downwards to rest on the water. NO
SHAKING IS NEEDED !

# 13=On your right:
Barleans oil, previously cleansed
then SUN THICKENED for 30 days.
The oil is beginning to crystalize and dry HARD as it
sits on the water. this sample has no mucilage!!
It is pure and colorless clear as GLASS--AS it is
drying on the water. Only 1/4 inch oil is resting on
the water

The book has the procedures for several methods to
remove the mucilage
The CSO PSYLLIUM HUSK -ALCOHOL METHOD is an
effective and simple method


SWEDISH ALLBACK LINSEED OIL
THIS PREMIUM OIL IS NOT RECOMMENDED FOR FINE ART OIL PAINTING
BECAUSE THEIR "PURIFIED LINSEED OIL FAILED THE WATER SEDIMENT TEST - see
photos below
THIS FINE OIL IS MADE FOR PAINTING WOOD HOUSES - TO STOP THE DECAY FROM
MOISTURE

Swedish , Allback linseed oil, is sold in the USA by ….http://www.solventfreepaint.com ... but manufactured and processed by the
Allback company of Sweden.


I have read their website carefully several times, and I have written to them for specific information.
Swedish words translated into English, as in all language translations, lose some meaning.
Example; Their website says that if linseed oil is not first purified, but is BOILED to a certain temperature, it will EXPLODE. ......Well, that’
s not true.
But, it will IGNITE. It is not that they are misleading us, just that the translation is weak.
I was able to understand the basic information their website says about their oil by applying common sense and use of my experience.

The one important question I have asked Allback, is this; ‘ What is the maximum temperature your PURIFIED oil…not your BOILED oil ---
is heated to.
This very important question is based on my research of scientific academic sources that states flax/linseed oil begins to decompose
at 230-236 degrees centigrade.
The allback company has never responded to my letters. The USA representative did respond after two letters, and would only say
that the process is patented, and they will not divulge it. This reluctance to inform the public is not helpful to us artists. My patent in the
USA is open to the public, so I do not understand the reluctance.

PLEASE KEEP THE DECOMPOSITION TEMPERATURE IN MIND AS YOU READ THIS
REPORT
This information is from academic sources and is on my website:
200 Degrees Centigrade = The Old Masters use of a goose quill to indicate SAFE heating
temperature
230-236 Degrees Centigrade = DECOMPOSITION BEGINS / Carbonization/ Reduced Lifespan
300 Degrees Centigrade = Modern Stand Oil - heated/ without Oxygen
300 Degrees Centigrade = Oil smokes and produces TOXIC Carbon Monoxide and Acrolein gas
vapors
343 Degrees Centigrade + = Oil begins to BOIL
343 Degrees Centigrade + = Oil Ignites / Catches fire
380 - 425 Degrees Centigrade= Burnt Plate Oil made by modern testing
Some websites recommend use of Burnt Plate Oil.
BURNT PLATE OIL is a very decomposed oil meant for disposable Lithography. Its true name is ‘
Lithography oil”.
Rembrandt's etching were made with Lithography Oil, and they are kept under wraps, covered, in
the shade as much as possible.


The Allback  website states they process and sell two kinds of linseed oil. BOILED and PURIFIED.

1. ALLBACK'S " BOILED"  linseed oil.
Swedish Flax oil is undoubtedly one of the highest quality oil GROWN and HARVESTED in the world. But the processing of the RAW OIL
determines the FINAL QUALITY for the needs of artists. This Allback oil is BOILED and they do not deny it. They in fact are very proud of
it, as they should be. Because its high quality BOILED OIL is made for painting houses and fences and all manner of wooden objects ,
AND... they NEVER advertise it for fine art oil painting.  Linseed/ flax oil begins to BOIL at 343 degrees centigrade. This is far above the
safe temperature of
230-236 degrees centigrade at which time the oil begins decomposition. What does ’
decomposition’ mean in terms of artists oil? This: For house painting, 50 years is an adequate life span, and no one expects more. Of
course the house is blasted by rain, sleet, sun and snow. It’s a miracle it lasts 50 years.
A Van Eyck painting left to those outrageous conditions would not fare any better. The key here is that by BOILING the oil, and causing
its decomposition, its lifespan is severely compromised. But given that its service is - 50 years, it’s a moot point. I would bet my money
that if the house was painted with Allback BOILED oil, and kept indoors next to the Van Eyck painting for 600 years, it would not come
close to the state of preservation of the Van Eyck painting.
CONCLUSION ON ALLBACK'S BOILED LINSEED OIL: : DO NOT use any BOILED linseed oil for fine art oil
painting regardless on who makes it
Science says it is severely decomposed with a shortened life span.

2 . ALLBACK'S  " PURIFIED linseed oil".
a. = The oil is pressed COLD. This is GOOD. Cold Pressed oil is great, but even gentle heat in pressing is allowable as this oil is very
TOUGH.
b. = Then it is stored and allowed to stand still. This is GOOD too , because this means it is allowed to settle the vegetable particulate
caused by the pressing of the seeds. When freshly pressed it is FULL of husk, dirt, and other sediment. Gravity will allow this heavier
particulate to settle.
c. = Then the top clear oil is siphoned off. This is GOOD. Because now the clear oil is easier to be further processed. Allback, just as
the Old Masters, learned something very important. NO AMOUNT of gravity will remove the MUCILAGE. Mucilage is a very complex
ingredient. Nature placed it inside the seed for reasons of nurturing the rebirth of the seed when it is sown into the ground. Mucilage is
INVISIBLE to the naked human eye. If you looked at a WARM glass of that clear bright top oil siphoned off the top, it would sparkle with
great beauty of transparency. BUT, it is filled with MUCILAGE. The Old Masters learned of this over centuries of oral tradition. Mucilage
will ferment, decompose, and turn the oil paint made with it, BROWN and DARK, if not removed. The Old Masters knew this and tried
everything under the sun to remove it. Some succeeded and the evidence is their 600 year old oil paintings with colors that remain
jewel-like. After the Old Masters’ demise, 19th century scholars like Eastlake, followed by many generations of other artists, all tried
their hand at cleansing the oil. Finally, industry cleansed it with caustic lye chemicals, but ruined the oil’s durability, and properties, in
the processing.

d. = Then, the Allback website says, the oil is ‘heated gently’ to remove the PROTEIN while it is exposed to OXYGEN. This oxygen
procedure is not explained. But, I can add my personal knowledge here. Since I have worked with the cleansing of the oil for 4 years
now. The goal is to remove the Mucilage and by heating the oil, the heat thins the oil. This certainly helps but it is not enough. Exposure
to oxygen, especially if HEAT is being applied,  is very necessary, or, the steam water vapors remain in the oil, causing and
perpetuating moisture retention and slow drying. Since Allback wants a faster drying oil, oxygen is part of the process. The Old
Masters knew this too, that the oil must be left uncovered as it is being sun thickened.
It is interesting that Allback calls the MUCILAGE, by the term, PROTEIN. Some call it BREAK, and, others call it the ‘FOOTS”. Regardless,
the Allback website says it treats the oil with several gentle heatings and does their very best to remove ALL the PROTEIN, as they call
it. Only then, do they call this oil PURIFIED.
CONCLUSION ON ALLBACK'S PURIFIED LINSEED  OIL. : Since I know the oil begins decomposition at 230 degrees
centigrade, If I knew the temperature the Allback PURIFIED oil is heated to,  I could make an informed accurate decision. Llacking that,
I cannot endorse Allback oil for fine art oil painting.
Some artists are either unaware of the decomposition temperature of oil or do not care.

TESTS OF ALLBACK HOUSE
PAINTING LINSEED OIL

The tests were started on 5/1/09 and
5/2/09.

ON 6/23/09 I placed all samples in a box
without any light.

On 9/16/09, I removed the samples and
took photos of each. This almost 3
month standing in darkness produced
the following results.

#10= The ALLBACK BOILED LINSEED
OIL fared the worst of all samples. A
thick white concentration of mucilage
sits on the water under the oil.

#6 = The ALLBACK PURIFIED
LINSEED OIL, recommended by some
websites. It fared almost as bad as the
BOILED sample. PURE white mucilage  
rests on the water.
WATER TESTS TO
SHOW MUCILAGE IN OIL
These series of tests below,
show the results of 1/4 inch of oil
resting on 2 ounces of water,
over several days.
The white paper resting beneath
the jars has 2 lines. a solid black
and a red.
WATER IS POLAR AND DRAWS
SOLUBLE MUCILAGE
DOWNWARDS LIKE A MAGNET.
The Old Masters found out that
oil standing on water ,
regardless of how long it is left
there,
will NOT remove all the mucilage
from the raw oil.
THE MAGIC OF PSYLLIUM HUSK
THERE DOES NOT EXIST ....IN ANY ANCIENT TREATISE NOR
IN ANY MODERN TEXT ....ANY MENTION OF PSYLLIUM
HUSK AS AN INGREDIENT TO REMOVE THE MUCILAGE
FROM THE UNREFINED FLAX LINSEED OIL.  Psyllium husk
was completely unknown to all the Old Masters , and
remained unknown to all subsequent theorists, artists ,
conservators and writers, including the artist-theorists of
today.

THIS IS HOW I DISCOVERED THE USE OF PSYLLIUM
HUSK FOR REMOVAL OF THE MUCILAGE FROM
THE OIL.
My doctor recommended I drink Metamusil for
irregularity. Metamusil is the brand name for a high fiber
laxative and it is pure Psyllium Husk. One teaspoon in an
8 ounce glass of water quickly expands to four times it's
size because it absorbs the water. This gave me the idea
to use it as a " mucilage remover" because mucilage is an
aqueous ingredient . To our benefit, It worked!

PSYLLIUM HUSK -- AS THE MUCILAGE REMOVER--began a
revolution in removing the mucilage from the unrefined
flax-linseed oil.
THE SECOND REVOLUTION was made possible by the
common acquarium electricsl Air Pump. It accelerated the
mucilage removal, taking less time.
End of page

all text and photos are copyright
protected
by
Louis R. Velasquez

THE SUPERIOR OIL OF
THE OLD MASTERS
THE FRESH PRESSED AND
CLEANSED OIL WILL BE BRIGHT
YELLOW, THIN, AND IS VERY SLOW
DRYING

THE OIL CAN NOW BE THICKENED
BY EITHER SUN EXPOSURE, OR,
THE AIR PUMP METHOD. THIS WILL
BLEACH THE OIL AND IT BECOMES
A FASTER DRYING OIL

SEE my FREE Youtube videos
Search for

CSO VELASQUEZ

April 19,2015 copyright Louis R. Velasquez, San Diego, California, USA

MY WORK TO REMOVE THE MUCILAGE FROM THE UNREFINED OIL
In the beginning, I focused on improving the successful 17th century recipe by Francisco  Pacheco, published in 1649.
Pacheco, was the teacher of the great Spanish painter, Velazquez. Judging by Velazquez well preserved paintings, Pacheco's recipe has
proven to be archival.
The importance of mucilage removal - was well known to all the Old Masters for over a thousand years. Numerous recipes exist in ancient
texts, of methods intended to remove the mucilage. Most do not work, and for various reasons-  the least effective is the "water washing"
method.
in the 1600's, Pacheco solved the " water washing" method, and he did it by using a liquor high in ethanol ( 87% ).
His recipe contained very little water for cleansing 16 fluid ounces of oil (  approximately 1/3 fluid ounce of water).
Pacheco knew nothing of Psyllium Husk and its powerful ability to absorb water.


BY A QUIRK OF FATE, I discovered PSYLLIUM HUSK for efficient removal of the mucilage.
This water absorbing material has proven to be indispensible for mucilage removal.
It is now is used in all three of my CSO oil cleansing methods.

THE 'CSO PSYLLIUM HUSK- ALCOHOL METHOD'
For many years, I was content with my modern CSO PSYLLIUM HUSK- ALCOHOL method , which I based on Pacheco's 1649 recipe.
I eliminated Pacheco's use of Lavender flower buds - and replaced it with Psyllium Husk . My method was efficient, easy to do,  
and resulted in a "solvent-free oil". Pacheco's oil contained Spike solvent which was excreted from the lavender flower buds by the ethanol.

A REQUEST FOR A NON-ALCOHOL METHOD
As years passed, I received numerous inquiries from artists around the globe, basically complaining that alcoholic liquor was prohibitively
expensive in their countries. From early 2014, to early 2016, I began testing and searching for a  "non-alcoholic" way to remove the mucilage.
I enlisted the help of some fine artists I had met via my website. I must acknowledge them because their concerns and hopes inspired me to
break out of my passivity.  Without their help, suggestions and ideas, the new non-alcohol methods of mucilage removal would not exist
.

THE AIR PUMP  (  Use of this new apparatus was first posted here in  2012 then in  2015 )
During this period, a difficult problem persisted that needed to be solved. This was related to the fantastic development of using an
aquarium air pump to thicken the oil so it would be a faster drying oil. The problem with the " Air Pump" method was that it was useless if the
air was humid. Artists in wet humid northern areas, or artists in hot muggy humid areas like Florida, could not use it because the air pump
would pump moisture from the humid air, into the oil. This created a very slow drying oil. I had no solution to the problem except to tell artists
to use it only in areas with dry air.

In April 2015 , my friend Daniel Tavenier , a resident of The Netherlands,
conceived of a new idea to absorb any moist air pumped into the oil jar by the air pump. He theorized adding some dry Psyllium Husk to the
oil jar containing the previously CLEANSED oil. His theory was that if any moisture was pumped into the oil jar, by the air pump, the husk
would absorb it. It was a brilliant idea!  

Daniel's idea inspired me to wonder whether the UNCLEAN oil ..could possibly be CLEANSED of mucilage by adding Psyllium Husk and using
the air pump together.  On April 19, 2015, I conducted two concurrent 24 hour tests , one with dampened husk and the other with dry husk.  
After 24 hours passed, the oil was filtered and tested for cleanliness. The test using dry psyllium husk proved to be effective and the test
using damp psyllium husk failed. My photographs show the results. The new method is named the "CSO Psyllium Husk (Velasquez- Tavenier)
Method", in recognition of Daniel's original  idea.

The "CSO PSYLLIUM HUSK-AIR PUMP (Velasquez-Tavenier) METHOD"
is a NON-ALCOHOL, mucilage removal method of historical importance . It was developed jointly with my friend, Daniel Tavenier, a master
artist and master teacher, resident of The Netherlands.  For years my own research has been  to produce the finest Flax seed oil for oil
painters. To do this, I had to find a safe and efficient way to remove the mucilage from the unrefined, food grade, cold pressed flax seed oil.
The very same high quality oil the Old Masters had.
PLEASE WORK TO STOP PIRACY OF BOOKS, MUSIC,
POETRY
and all forms of INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
Discuss this with family, friends, students, kids and neighbors

THE SIMPLE FACT IS: PIRACY IS THEFT !
It is distressing to me that my books and DVDS are being PIRATED on the
Internet .

I BELIEVE IN SHARING -
BUT NO BUSINESS COULD EVER SURVIVE IF EVERYTHING WAS FREE
TO THE PUBLIC
I have always encouraged all artists to SHARE the CSO KNOWLEDGE they
learn about
EVERY ARTIST deserves to know about this wonderful extraordinary SAFE
method that uses no hazardous or dangerous materials--while-- allowing
artists to MASTER THE OIL PAINTING MEDIUM -- and duplicate the truly
magical oil painting effects we see in the paintings of Rembrandt,
Velazquez, Rubens and many other Old Masters.

FOR YEARS I HAVE POSTED MY CSO OIL CLEANSING METHODS -FREE
TO THE PUBLIC.
I have also posted FREE videos on YOUTUBE - including two of my FULL
LENGTH videos.
[ locate them by typing in:  CSO VELASQUEZ ]

I ENCOURAGE ARTISTS TO BUY MY BOOKS-
Then to share IN PERSON - the great knowledge they have learned.
FREE digital giving away [ file sharing] is simply wrong.

CLEANSING ARTISTS FLAX- LINSEED OIL OF MUCILAGE
The safe removal of the mucilage is the most important requirement of oil painting
Today we have "THE REBIRTH OF THE OLD MASTERS' SUPERIOR OIL"
SCROLL BELOW TO LEARN ABOUT THE NEW METHOD OF MUCILAGE REMOVAL,
" THE CSO PSYLLIUM HUSK WATER METHOD",  I DEVELOPED IN 2018

COMING SOON A NEW DVD DESCRIBING THIS NEW METHOD

For many years I posted full instructions here on how to remove the mucilage from the oil.
I have removed those recipes and the complete information is now to my 2 books:
VOLUME ONE
and VOLUME TWO
" OIL PAINTING LESSONS WITH REMBRANDT AND CALCITE SUN OIL"



_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

THE TWO CURRENT CSO METHODS OF MUCILAGE REMOVAL

1. The 'CSO PSYLLIUM HUSK - ALCOHOL METHOD'- [NON AIR PUMP].
I based this method on Pacheco's method of 1649. It uses strong alcoholic liquor. I discovered and pioneered the use of Psyllium Husk for use
of mucilage removal from unrefined flax-linseed oil. This method requires 10 days to remove the mucilage. FULL instructions are on page 38 of
my book, VOLUME ONE : OIL PAINTING LESSONS WITH REMBRANDT AND CALCITE SUN OIL"

2. The 'CSO PSYLLIUM HUSK ( Velasquez-Tavenier ) AIR PUMP METHOD'.
This method was created because of the prohibitive cost of  liquor in some countries.
This alcohol free method was created by myself and Daniel Tavenier of  The Netherlands in April 2015. It is the simplest method of the three and
removes the mucilage within 24 to 48 hours.
Please see full instructions in my book: VOLUME TWO:OIL PAINTING LESSONS WITH REMBRANDT AND CALCITE SUN OIL"

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
 

COMING SOON--A NEW DVD

DEMONSTRATING THE NEW METHOD OF MUCILAGE REMOVAL,
" THE CSO PSYLLIUM HUSK WATER METHOD"

I CREATED THE NEW “ CSO Psyllium Husk -Water Method” in May 2018.
it is copyright protected, to ascertain it is my creation
I give all persons worldwide, permission to use and share this method  at no cost.
Best wishes Louis R. Velasquez  San Diego, California, USA   

Posted on my website January 1, 2019

——————————-

“THE CSO PSYLLIUM HUSK- WATER METHOD”
THIS METHOD REQUIRES A CRUCIAL SECOND STEP , TO BE FULLY EFFECTIVE

RECIPE:  “ CSO Psyllium Husk - Water method”.


PART ONE : PROCEDURE:


PART TWO= CRUCIAL STEP
THIS METHOD REQUIRES A CRUCIAL SECOND CLEANSING TO BE FULLY EFFECTIVE


PART THREE: TESTING THE CLEANLINESS
To test that the oil is cleansed and contains no mucilage, place the lid tightly and place the jar in the refrigerator. Leave it there for 2 to 3  hours. Clean,
mucilage-free oil will remain crystal clear and fully transparent in the cold refrigerator no matter how many hours it remains.  HOWEVER, Do not leave the
oil jar in the refrigerator longer than needed because moisture condenses inside the jar. A mucilage free oil will remain beautifully transparent over the
years. One drop rubbed onto  a white ceramic plate shows the oil has no yellow color.

IMPORTANT:
All jars of linseed oil, whether cleansed oil or oil containing mucilage, will be completely transparent in hot temperatures. Oil that has not been cleansed
will become hazy and cloudy when it remains in the refrigerator for many hours.
A cleansed mucilage-free oil will remain crystal clear , 100% transparent in the cold refrigerator.
Different producers of unrefined, raw, flax/ linseed oil produce oil with varying amounts of mucilage. Some oils are more clear or more cloudy than others
when in the cold. Their Quality control is a difficult issue.


Louis Velasquez -
Posted on my website on January 1, 2019
In May , 2018 Initially ,
I shared it with a few friends
with a CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENT
I created THE NEW
“ CSO Psyllium Husk -Water Method”.
in May 2018
it is copyright protected,
to ascertain it is my creation
I give all persons worldwide,
permission to use
and share this method at no cost.
Best wishes Louis R. Velasquez
San Diego, California, USA   
January 1, 2019

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


FRANCISCO PACHECO : VELAZQUEZ' TEACHER
THE SEARCH FOR PERFECTION
Even though an Old Master once wrote that it is not possible to remove 100% of the mucilage, I have never stopped seeking a method that will
remove 100% of the mucilage
from the Flax-Linseed oil. However, there are too many uncontrollable variable factors that interfere with this goal becoming a reality. Even my
tests of modern Alkali Refined linseed oil bought at any Art supply store, have detected some degree of mucilage in that modern product.

----------------

My original CSO method of removing the mucilage
was based on the 17th century method of Francisco Pacheco ( published in 1649).
As you know, Pacheco was the teacher of Spain's great painter Diego Velazquez.
Here is Pacheco's method, word for word, as published and written in Spanish:

LIBRO TERCERO, CAP. V:
“Tomese una redoma de vidrio - y a una libra de aceite de linaza limpio y claro se le echan tres onzas de aguardiente fina, que llaman de
cabeza, y dos onzas de alhucema, o espliego , en grano, y póngase al sol fuerte quience días, meneándolo dos veces cada dia, y de esta
manera queda claro y purificado, y colándolo en otro vidrio …".


ENGLISH TRANSLATION:
BOOK THREE, CHAPTER FIVE
“Take a glass flask – and to a pound of linseed oil that is clean and clear, add to it three ounces of fine quality liquor spirits, that is called ‘from
the head’, and two ounces of Lavender, in seed, and place it in very strong hot sun for fifteen days, swirling it two times each day, and by this
method, it will become clear and purified, and filter it into another glass..”


PLEASE SEE MY FREE YOUTUBE VIDEOS ON HOW TO USE THE AIR PUMP TO THICKEN THE OIL. THICKENING THE OIL CREATES A
FASTER DRYING OIL  TO LOCATE THOSE VIDEOS ON YOUTUBE, TYPE IN   'CSO VELASQUEZ, AIR PUMP OIL'