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Art SuppliesSUPPLIES
- Dry pigments
- Pure cold-pressed linseed oil
- Turpentine or mineral spirits
- Glass slab-1/4" thick or more (for grinding paint)
- Carborundum grit
- Glass muller
- Mortar and pestle for (grinding pigment)
- Metal spatula
- Empty paint tubes
- Canvas or carpenter pliers
- Dust mask
- Drop cloth (optional)
Overview
For artists, making oil paints can offer several benefits. It is more economical, as one can control the quantity, avoiding waste and spoilage. Making oil paint also allows an artist to gain specific knowledge of the medium and to create paints that will meet her requirements for different projects. Read on to learn the steps to make your own oil paint.
Prep Work
Step 1
Roughen the top of the glass slab by placing a teaspoon of carborandum grit and some water to form a paste on the surface. Using the muller, grind the paste over the surface, working in a circular motion. Roughening the slab will allow the oil paint to be properly ground. When finished, wash grit off the slab and muller with water, and dry.
Step 2
Mount the glass slab to a stable surface so that it won't move around when you are grinding paint. Measure the slab, and cut a piece of heavy cardboard to the same measurements. Place this underneath the slab, and then nail wood strips around the perimeter of the slab to hold it in place.
Step 3
Lay down a drop cloth, if you need to protect the flooring below your work area. You may also want to remove your shoes before walking into other parts of your home or studio if you have stepped in pigment while creating your oil paints.
Step 4
Gather up empty paint tubes, glass bottles and jars that you will need for storing the oil paint. Place all the needed items at your work station so that you can focus on making paint when you are ready to begin.
Making Oil Paint
Step 1
Make sure that the pigment is finely ground. If you see large clumps, place pigment in the mortar and pestle and grind until no clumps remain.
Step 2
Place dry pigment on glass slab. Start with a large pile of pigment (about 1/2 cup). Form a well in the center of the pigment, and add a small amount of oil. At this point, you will be making a stiff paste, so add very little oil to start. Use the spatula to mix the pigment and oil into a paste. Scrape up the paste and move it to the side of the slab.
Step 3
Take a few teaspoons of paste and place back in center of slab. Use the glass muller to begin grinding the paint. Work in a circular motion, spreading the paste out across the slab. You don't need to apply heavy pressure, just enough to allow the oil (binder) to blend with the pigment particles to form the paint. Continue the grinding process until the paste has changed consistency and appears runny. If it is too runny, add a small amount of pigment and continue grinding.
Step 4
Test the paint on a piece of paper by taking a small amount and scraping it down with a flat paint scraper. Begin scraping with very light pressure, so as to leave a thick layer of paint, and gradually increase pressure until the layer becomes very thin. Hold the paper up to light to ensure that all pigment particles have been coated with the oil. If you can still see any particles or clumps, continue grinding.
Step 5
Repeat this process with the remaining paste. Turpentine or mineral spirits can be added in very small amounts to thin the oil paint as needed. Mix in the turpentine with the spatula until thoroughly combined with the oil paint.
Step 6
Use a clean spatula to transfer paint from slab to empty paint tubes. Hold tube at cap end and scrape paint into open end (bottom of tube). Tap tube lightly against table to eliminate any air pockets. Fill tube, leaving enough room to seal the tube shut. Fold the open end over several times, and then press with pliers to seal shut, taking care not to puncture the tube.
Step 7
Label the paint tube with the color and date of preparation.
TIPS AND WARNINGS
- TIP : Making your own oil paint allows you to experiment and create colors and consistencies not found in manufactured paints.
You can prepare the paste at any time and make your oil paints later. Store the paste in an airtight, sterilized glass jar, preferably in a cool, dark location or in your freezer.
- WARNING : Always wear a dust mask when working with pigments, so you do not breathe in the finite particles.
Store paints in a cool, dark location.
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