Basic Material Information for Oil Paint
Materials
Paint Quality- Oil Paints are available from most manufactures in two qualities, artists' and students'. The more expensive of the two, artists' quality paint contains a higher proportion of pigment to oil whereas student's paints are bulked out with fillers. Because they contain more pigment artists' quality paints have more tinting power and you use less.
Tubes or Jars- If you get through paint quickly or are planning to work on a very large canvas it may be more convenient and possibly cheaper to by large tubes or pint jars instead of tubes. White is particularly useful to buy in a large tube.
Light-fastness- Pigments vary in their light-fastness or resistance to fading in sunlight. Paint manufacturers provide information on the light-fastness of their colors.
Pigments and Safety- Some pigments used in paints are poisonous if ingested. Paint can enter your system through your skin-- Use gloves or Barrier cream.
Palette Knifes- Palette Knives are for applying or taking off paint as well as mixing. Yu will find two basic knifes- flat and cantilevers or bent. The cantilevered types is easier to work with than a straight one because it keeps y our hand away from the wet paint.
Mixing Mediums- Paint mediums are used to improve the flow of paint and can be mixed easily and quickly. Recipes usually quote quantities in parts, and the easiest way to mix them is to take a jar o bottle with a tight-fitting lid and pour in the correct quantity of each ingredient in turn, marking the level on the outside of the bottle after each addition.
Palette Alternative- There are several alternatives to wooden artist; pallets that are both cheaper and available in larger sizes. A sheet of glass laid over a sheet of white neutral or medium toned paper is one possibility. Apply masking tape along each side of the glass so you cannont cut yourself on it. Other possiblities are Tupperware, or formica- covered boards, or the cheapo-way- foam plates.
Mineral Spirits- Mineral Spirits that has been used for cleaning brushes needn't be poured away. A mixture in a glass jar with lid can last for several weeks.
Paint Quality- Oil Paints are available from most manufactures in two qualities, artists' and students'. The more expensive of the two, artists' quality paint contains a higher proportion of pigment to oil whereas student's paints are bulked out with fillers. Because they contain more pigment artists' quality paints have more tinting power and you use less.
Tubes or Jars- If you get through paint quickly or are planning to work on a very large canvas it may be more convenient and possibly cheaper to by large tubes or pint jars instead of tubes. White is particularly useful to buy in a large tube.
Light-fastness- Pigments vary in their light-fastness or resistance to fading in sunlight. Paint manufacturers provide information on the light-fastness of their colors.
Pigments and Safety- Some pigments used in paints are poisonous if ingested. Paint can enter your system through your skin-- Use gloves or Barrier cream.
Palette Knifes- Palette Knives are for applying or taking off paint as well as mixing. Yu will find two basic knifes- flat and cantilevers or bent. The cantilevered types is easier to work with than a straight one because it keeps y our hand away from the wet paint.
Mixing Mediums- Paint mediums are used to improve the flow of paint and can be mixed easily and quickly. Recipes usually quote quantities in parts, and the easiest way to mix them is to take a jar o bottle with a tight-fitting lid and pour in the correct quantity of each ingredient in turn, marking the level on the outside of the bottle after each addition.
Palette Alternative- There are several alternatives to wooden artist; pallets that are both cheaper and available in larger sizes. A sheet of glass laid over a sheet of white neutral or medium toned paper is one possibility. Apply masking tape along each side of the glass so you cannont cut yourself on it. Other possiblities are Tupperware, or formica- covered boards, or the cheapo-way- foam plates.
Mineral Spirits- Mineral Spirits that has been used for cleaning brushes needn't be poured away. A mixture in a glass jar with lid can last for several weeks.