It dates all the way back to prehistoric times.

A Cork artist who paints with an ancient medium made from milk will exhibit his work at Ireland’s premier art fair next month.

David Goldberg, a former barrister from Douglas, used his retirement to concentrate on his life-long passion for art.

Now he’s about to show the results at Art Source at the RDS from November 9th-11th, having become the only artist in the Republic of Ireland to use casein.

Stone Age artists often used milk (possibly even human milk) in their cave-painting. It was also popular in Egypt 3,000 years ago and used in Etruscan art 1,500 years ago.

It might sound like an odd choice, but casein is actually fast-drying, durable and permanent.

“It is the world’s oldest medium but very few use it any more as it’s very hard to work with,” said David who now lives in Dublin.

“Sometimes you get a whim and I went with it and started working with casein and I just loved the quality of the results on landscapes and still life.

“It’s difficult to use and to control as it dries almost instantly but the results are beautiful,” he said.

Over 15,000 people are expected to view exhibits from artists across all genres at the biggest art event of the year which features over 175 contemporary artists and galleries over two floors at the RDS.

Irish art lovers will also have the chance to get their hands on 100 pieces of original artwork for €100 – as well as unique works by Andy Warhol.