Sts-Seraphim-and-Herman

This icon is painted on a plastered river rock using Keim mineral paint. This icon stays outside and withstands all weather conditions.

Keim mineral paint was developed in 1878 by a scientist named Adolf Keim. The invention came in response to a request by King Ludwig I of Bavaria, who wanted to make outdoor frescoes similar to those in Italy, but needed a new technique to withstand the much harsher climate of his region. Keim paint is made of liquid water glass and mineral pigments. The paint bonds to mineral substances such as rock, brick, and plaster, rather than forming a thin skin (as is the case with latex paint). This means that the paint does not peel, and is truly as durable as the surface on which it is painted.