High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! Rabbit-skin glue is a sizing that also acts as an adhesive. It is essentially refined rabbit collagen, and was originally used as an ingredient in traditional gesso. In traditional oil painting as practiced by the Renaissance painter, skin glue was used to coat the canvas. This is necessary because the linseed oil that forms the base of most oil paint contains an acid, linolenic acid, that will over time destroy the canvas fibers. In traditional oil painting as practiced by the Renaissance painter, skin glue was used to coat the canvas. This is necessary because the linseed oil that forms the base of most oil paint contains an acid, linolenic acid, that will over time destroy the canvas fibers. Manufacturers of rabbit, and cow & horse hide glue recommend dissolving at 140-145F.