View Full Version : Retard the drying
I'm hoping you guys can help me here, as I'm a little nervous. Yesterday I did a 'study' of my next oil painting. I usually just do a sketch, but lately have been also colouring in photoshop trying to get everything right in my head before starting the painting, but for some reason this time, I had a wee canvas and I thought I'd do a study (well I'm pretty nervous about this painting, it's a bit above my level but I'm going to do it anyway). What I found is that I can do the painting on a small scale and in about 5 hours (which is record breaker for me just about lol) but the problem is, when I do it bigger (61cmx61cm, I should go even bigger I think the picture demands it but hmmm bit nervous there) I need the painting to stay wet. Which is unfortunate but my wet on wet ability is getting better. So I'm not going to start it until next weekend so that I have two days to do it, but I'm scared I'm not going to get it finished in two days and the painting will dry up or just get gluggy or whatever. So I'm going to use a medium, but last time I used a proper medium (not liquin), my painting turned to CHALK and that was after about 6 MONTHS of it being wet.
So please, does anyone have a good brand they recommend for me which can act as a retarder/glazer? That last one I used was Winsor and Newton, can't remember which number though. I've used Linseed oil before but I need it to dry before October. urgh maybe I should just get a slab of red bulls and make sure I do the whole thing.
inkgal8290
08-10-2008, 09:24 AM
all i know about mediums i have shared not allot ....that linseed oil ....gum turps.....damar varnish.....has possibilities but its just theory to me
Bob Abrahams
08-10-2008, 11:07 AM
Helm
It seems to me me you are endevouring to paint "ala prima" (in one go) using the wet into wet appoach.
I use M Graham oils that are made with slow drying walnut oil. To slow the drying further, I would mix a small amount of M Graham walnut oil medium.
In your case I would mix pure oil medium such as linseed or walnut (10-15%) with the paints to slow the drying time. Having done that you need to be aware of the "fat over lean" principle especially if you are painting several thick layers, to avoid subsequent cracking
Using oil medium will help to overcome the chalky look after drying. You could also consider "oiling up" the dry chalky surfaces by gently rubbing with these oil mediums. Alternatively spray or brush with retouch varnish. Retouch varnish is meant to be applied in between paint applications to restore the wet look and help with ongoing wet into wet paint applications.
I think the "wet into wet" approach calls for small size spontaneous paintings using fairly large brushes and completed in one day if possible. If not, perhaps with a little final touch up the folowing day.
In the end I suggest that you do not get hung up over a painting process because it can stifle creativity
thanks inkgal, I've yet to try damar varnish, I think I'm supposed to though!
Hi Bob, thankyou for taking the time. I was hoping to keep the painting wet because after its all painted I am going to rub back some parts of it until its nearly just the canvas showing through, but I need to have completed most of the painting before doing this. And I'm such a slow painter...
I don't usually worry too much about the process, as long as I get to the end result, its just that this is the way it is needed for this painting, although perhaps if I was a better painter I could get around it lol oh well.
I have some linseed oil so I will use that, perhaps I used too much last time and that is why it took forever to dry. Bob how long do you reckon 10-15% of the linseed oil in the paint would take to dry? I know it is dependent on weather and such. oh stuff it I"m asking too many questions lol I'll just do it. Thankyou for your time and help!
Bob Abrahams
08-10-2008, 12:36 PM
Bob how long do you reckon 10-15% of the linseed oil in the paint would take to dry? I know it is dependent on weather and such. oh stuff it I"m asking too many questions lol I'll just do it. Thank you for your time and help!
I think it largly depends on the specific colour, how much white or other slow drying paints are in the mix and how thickly it is applied.
For example I can leave some paint colours in small piles on the palette for nearly a week before they become unuseable.
In painting with 10-15% linseed oil medium, I would expect it to remain open for 3-5 days on average
Christian Medina
08-10-2008, 03:00 PM
all i know about mediums i have shared not allot ....that linseed oil ....gum turps.....damar varnish.....has possibilities but its just theory to me
I would be careful to use that concoction. The colour comes out with a pearl sheen and luminosity... but it's ten times more toxic than liquin.
true Bob. I have been using less white these days, and using the luminence of the canvas instead.
Hi Christian. I have to remember that it gives a pearly sheen..is that because of the damar?
my cat pee'd on one of my canvas' yesterday... seemed to keep it wet for a few hours until i found it... not sure i'd recommend to do it deliberately though.
heheheh perhaps not the kind of wet I'm after!
ingridr
08-10-2008, 07:34 PM
Jade it sounds like you could do with those Genesis Heat-set oils they advertise in Artist Pallete magazine. They stay wet forever until you blast them with a heat gun. You don't even ever have to wash the brushes and they stay wet on the palette. And you can be as slow with your painting as you like, and you control the drying. I've not tried them myself but I've been very tempted.
Is there anyone on AAF who has?
Jade it sounds like you could do with those Genesis Heat-set oils they advertise in Artist Pallete magazine. They stay wet forever until you blast them with a heat gun. You don't even ever have to wash the brushes and they stay wet on the palette. And you can be as slow with your painting as you like, and you control the drying. I've not tried them myself but I've been very tempted.
Is there anyone on AAF who has?
wow that sounds brilliant!
Christian Medina
08-11-2008, 10:02 AM
Hi Christian. I have to remember that it gives a pearly sheen..is that because of the damar?
Yes... but also because of the gum turps mixed. Try not to use it in your house, I recommended it. It dries overnight. If you're looking to slow the drying process... try stand oil... but it stands and you lose the brushstroke. Drying time for me was a week...
you lose the brushstroke? hmmm interesting! This has me interested.
Amanda
08-12-2008, 07:51 AM
I recommend using Langridge Painting Medium.
It is a great medium and versatile - you can mix a bit of turps/odourless solvent in to thin it down for underpainting and you can beef it up with the addition of some linseed oil to slow the drying time.
Too much linseed oil can yellow and slow drying too much but if you use this as a base and add (as Bob said) about 10 - 15% linseed you should be fine.
When I do wet in wet I schedule that for a time I am unlilkely to be interrupted and for when I have a big chunk of time.