I've been given oil and turpentine in order to dilute some oil paints. I've been told to mix the (linseed -- I think) oil with turpentine to the paints.
Why don't I just use only turpentine to dilute them?
Please help.
2007-08-17 00:48:38 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Arts & Humanities ➔ Visual Arts ➔ Painting
turpentine will break down oils to thin out the paint. linseed oil makes it more oily and thus has the effect of thinning it out. I usually just use the linseed oil to thin my paints out. Use very very little amounts.
anthony pittarelli
2007-08-17 01:03:06 · answer #1 · answered by Anthony Pittarelli 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
just to add to all the correct info you already have from the other answers:
Linseed oil is an adhesive. It gets the pigment fixed to the canvas because when it dries it works like a resin.
Turpentine helps the oil to oxidize faster (to dry).
If turpentine is abused it can thin the oil excessively and your paint won't adhere (but it will dry very fast).
If oil is abused it will take longer to dry and it may crack.
Anyways, most painters make a mix in a bottle of turpentine with oil.
If you are painting alla prima you won't have much problems, but if you want to put one layer over another, then you will have to remember the fat over lean rule. i.e. your first layers must have more turpentine than oil. Your top layers must have a little more oil.
Personally I prefer using Liquin as a substitute for oil, it's more flexible and dries faster. Little turpentine has to be added. And it is a powerful binder.
good luck.
2007-08-17 04:44:29 · answer #2 · answered by cesar 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
you can use just turpentine to dilute, however, linseed oil keeps it more flexible, and lush if you are using very thin glazes, you can add lots of other stuff too! Damar varnish which is a resin you can disolve in turpentine which will speed up paint drying and add shine to your paints when they are dry, or clove oil (which smells like dentists) which will slow down paint drying, you can also use white spirit instead of turpentine it doesnt smell so good and is less oily. I would say if you are using quite thick paint then just try turpentine, but i am sure you will find your own formula. happy painting.
2007-08-17 01:43:44 · answer #3 · answered by thierrylatortoise 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
linseed oil can increase gloss flow and transperency and can slow or speed up the drying rate depending on what kind u use. turpentine mixed with linseed oil is packaged as artists painting medium and is made by several companies
2007-08-17 08:40:10 · answer #4 · answered by Zetsu 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The oil paints are made with pigment bound in bases, one of which is boiled linseed oil. Too much turpentine will change the nature of the paint into something poor quality, and will not keep the pigment bound into a base. it will look dull and flat. if you are just playing around, it's fine. if you want to make something of quality, especially if you want to a. sell it, b. have it last; you need to work with quality materials.
2007-08-17 04:49:51 · answer #5 · answered by Crocus 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You have gotten really good answers so far, I thought I would just add that it also depends on the consistency of the paint as it comes from the tube.
My titanium white tends to be quite chalky, if I thin with the linseed oil, I get better results than the turp. A little trial and error will help you as well.
2007-08-17 02:04:28 · answer #6 · answered by Joseph G 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋