Oil paint mixed with Sand?

Question

Can anyone tell me if i were to mix sand with my oil paint would it stay fixed on the canvas? Also does anyone know of anyother mediums that i can use to thicken paints, other than the more expensive meduims in the Art shops. I like to bring lots of different thicknesses on whilst using a painting knife!

Answer 1

Yes you can mix sand with oil paint.
Try adding fullers earth to thicken paint or even polyfilla.
I have used all and with a bit of messing about they work well!
Hope this helps?

Answer 2

Been done and works just fine.

Try adding bitumen/tar to your black paint..or better the other way around. Works like a charm though I would not recommend using any favorite brush.

Sawdust is also a great and above all cheap thickener...use in moderation though it is pretty powerful stuff. Plaster of Paris (or any other kind) You need to work REALLY fast. It sets almost faster than you can paint. Mix it on your canvas.

Mixing oils and acrylics can be done but it isn't paint anymore...as you are going experimental..give it a try. Stay of the water and thinner on this one. Just use the ready made paints or it will become a dripping mess of colorful vomit.

Also many stuff from your kitchen can be used.
Flour, breadcrumbs, rice (uncooked), potato starch, you can even use Jello (powder) to mix in with your acrylics..Makes your painting smell really nice. :)

And yes, I did all of that.

Answer 3

Yes you can .Oil paint is more akin to coloured glue,you can use anything light enough with oils,Isaw a good picture of some rocks using a pair of tights to simulate the rocks,adding sand will give you texture and interest to your work,Try other ingredients ,cloth,rice,dried leaves etc,,,
A pallet knife is a wonderfull tool,it can produce so much more than a brush,I have used a knife in a lot of my work and sold it quite succesfully.you can use anything to get that feel you want,try diferent sizes of knife,old kitchen knives are good.the prongs of a fork,your fingers,potato printing or the pther end of the paint brush.
I have seen pictures done with oils dripped into a water bath and the canves drawn up from underneath allowing the paint to find its own place.A Spanish artist Juan Diaz uses this to good effect.
Build up your work slowly adding layers as you see fit,it may be expensive but it is worth it.
Try adding acrylics or even bog standard emulsions,they are quite cheap.
I have more paint in the mixing tray than ever gets to the canvas,and I am building the mixing tray up over several years into a work of its own right,
Try anything you will always find new ways of working with paint if you have the courage to try,after all iy is only paint.

Answer 4

There is this problem with drying but yeah I tried many of these experiments. Usually I take a picture if it is any good or interesting. I even tried food coloring and tears. My face was the 'canvas'.

Answer 5

yes you can, that is what suede effect paint is. you could try other mediums such as shoe polish insted of paint for a whole different texture. also plaster added to your paint or sawdust, ive tried all these with different results.

Answer 6

Do NOT "Try adding acrylics or even bog standard emulsions,they are quite cheap." as Phil above suggests. This idea is quite ridiculous.

You can add sand, ground glass or sawdust to your paints.

Answer 7

why mix it when you can use sandtex exterior paint which come in a variety of colours

Answer 8

soap powder , mud, animal dung! seen it all!!