Thank you, Mr. Bingham and Mr. Mattelson, for your help! Those are the authoratative answers I was looking for.
So, what are ya'll using for grounds now? I brought home a big bucket of white ground and I notice it's made with alkyds too.
I order Titanium white from Sinopia for egg tempera, so could it be mixed with linseed oil for grounds over size on linen, or is only white lead suitable for that purpose because of its drying properties? I am so messy I am afraid of lead carbonate powder in my studio even though I know it is historically the best. And I don't even think Sinopia sells it anymore. Another website states that painter Odd Nerdrum uses chalk in linseed oil for grounds, but wouldn't that crack?
Thanks again for your help, and best,
Julia Morgan Scott