There are many uses for both reversible and non-reversible mediums in decorative painting. A reversible medium can be taken back to a glaze with water (or alcohol like shellac). Non-reversible mediums are far more common and are permanent (unless a solvent is used to remove). Reversible Mediums: Gouache Glaze = Gum Arabic + H2O + […]
Japan Drier
Japan drier is a chemical used to aggressively speed up the dry time of oil-based paint and glaze. The drying process is actually a chemical reaction that produces an organic plastic when mixed with a drying oil. These driers are derived by ions of certain metals such as: cobalt, iron, or manganese and prepared as […]
Spontaneous combustion of Linseed Oil
This is an example of spontaneous combustion of linseed oil. This cotton glove, that was soiled with linseed oil and paint thinner, was thrown in the trash on a jobsite which ended up being a perfect opportunity for a fire to start. When linseed oil oxidizes (dries), it creates heat when it is mixed with […]
Linseed Oil
Linseed oil is an essential oil for the traditional decorative painter who uses an oil glaze. Linseed (or Flax) is a sicative oil – meaning it will eventually dry. Walnut and poppy oil also fall into this category. Most other oils like olive, peanut, etc. will never dry, and therefore, they are not useful for […]
Turpentine
Turpentine is an organic product that is steam distilled from the resin of pine trees of many varieties. The better resins come from the Eastern Seaboard English Pine because of the saltiness in the air. Producing turpentine: A pine tree is stripped of its bark in a V-shape. The remaining trunk will begin to secrete […]
Follow Us