Oil washes, a beginner question...

Greg

Member since
May 2013
From: Indiana, USA

Oil washes, a beginner question...

Posted by Greg on Thursday, October 3, 2013 11:24 AM

I am new to oil washes.

I notice when mixing my washes, the artists oils seem quite resistant to mixing with the mineral spirits I am using to thin. As a brain graphic example, if I put a glob of artist's oil on the end of a toothpick, then stir that in a palette cup of mineral spirits (for a very small amount of wash), the glob never completely goes away.

Is this normal? If not, could it be the thinner I have one hand? FWIW, I am using both Windsor and Newton and Master's Touch artists oils, and Masterpiece odorless mineral spirits (all from Hobby Lobby).

OTOH, if mixing a larger batch, I use my handy-dandy electric stirrer and that works better.

If this is normal, that's fine. Would just like to confirm if possible. Or if there is a different thinner and/or mineral spirit I should be using?

TIA!

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JOE RIX

Member since
August 2009
From: MOAB, UTAH

Posted by JOE RIX on Thursday, October 3, 2013 11:39 AM

Hey there Greg, Funny I should find your post here as I just posted a bit on using oil washes over on the 190 GB. Anyway, my experience with mixing artist's oils with Turpenoid (similar to mineral spirits) is that indeed, the glob does not fully dissolve. So, I would say, yes, that is normal.

"Not only do I not know what's going on, I wouldn't know what to do about it if I did". George Carlin

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Nathan T

Member since
March 2010
From: MN

Posted by Nathan T on Thursday, October 3, 2013 11:44 AM

It sounds like you are using the high quality Windsor and newton oils, which have a fine pigment and should dissolve ok. I find that I do have to mix the oil glob of paint up really well with a larger brush, then keep re-stirring it from time to time to keep it mixed up. I wouldnt' even consider using a lesser grade oil paint, such as student oils.

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Greg

Member since
May 2013
From: Indiana, USA

Posted by Greg on Thursday, October 3, 2013 7:53 PM

Thanks for the confirmation all is well Joe, Nathan. I will stop fussing now. :)

Must have just missed your post over in the 190 GB, Joe. On my way over now......

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hypertex

Member since
October 2010

Posted by hypertex on Friday, October 4, 2013 10:32 AM

Yes, it is normal, but it has nothing to do with the pigments. The thinner dissolves the linseed/safflower oil in the paint. In my experience, the odorless spirits don't dissolve the oils as well as the smelly spirits do. I still use the odorless spirits though, as the leftover glob isn't a big deal to me (and smelly spirits give me a headache).

Chris