How and what to dilute oil paints?

Walking through the picture gallery and admiring the works painted with oil, you marvel at their beauty. "Than to dilute oil paints?" - an urgent question for any artist who decided to work with them.

Features of work with oil

With oil, everything is much more complicated than with gouache or watercolor. If, when working with these species, it is sufficient to reach the washbasin and dial running water for dilution into the jar, then in the case of oil it is necessary to prepare a special mixture or, at least, to visit the store and buy everything necessary. However, the result is worth it.

Paintings painted in oil often look more expensive, more saturated and better. So for a person who has seriously decided to master this material, nothing is impossible. And no special difficulties are foreseen. You just need to learn a simple recipe. Some artists do quite simply. The question of how to dilute oil paint for drawing, does not cause them discomfort, because they do not add anything, but write the substance in its original consistency. But this option is not suitable for everyone and only in individual works.

How to dilute the paint?

Those who are hindered by the density, still look for suitable solutions to reduce it. The most logical is to resort to oil. It is used alone as a separate solvent or in the composition of the mixture produced by painters.

In each art shop you can find a vial with special, already manufactured substances or individual elements for their reproduction. In any case, when it comes to this type of paints, it will not be possible to do without the oilseed extract , since it is in itself the basis of this material. Well sucked nuts, flax, etc. It does not smell, which is quite convenient. Other solvents do not possess this advantage.

However, like any coin, there is also an opposite, negative side: the picture will dry for a long time. Looking for than diluting oil paints, it is better to give preference to flax extract.

Preparing the "tee"

The diluent will be useful. In his role often acts as a white spirit. However, this substance alone does not apply. A combination with a special solution is necessary. With its help, wash the palette and brushes. Direct addition of it to the paint in the course of work is fraught with spoilage of tools. Canvas can wither, become yellow and grow old before time. Significant damage to the tissue is noticed. For a given substance it is worthwhile to allocate a separate capacity. The lid that has not worked before will go completely.

When giving an answer to the question about how to dilute oil paints, it is worth noting that of all the compositions the most popular is the "tee". You can make it in one action, simply by mixing the components that you find in the nearest specialized store.

The first version is made on the basis of mastic or dammar varnish used in painting, linseed oil or hemp, and also a diluent (white spirit). All components are mixed in equal parts. There is another variation of the mixture, in which the last element is changed to turpentine.

What is the purpose of painting and varnish?

Painting varnish acts as an additive used with oil paint. The main thing is not to take a cover mixture, it is not suitable for this purpose. Purpose - to protect the already painted picture from external influence after it dries. Used a varnish one year after the end of work.

Finally, the oil image is considered to be dried only after a few years. Relative reduction of surface moisture should be expected not earlier than in 3 days. It is during this period, when touching the picture, you no longer risk lubricating and spoiling it. Of great importance is the layer that was used in the course of work, and also whether the brush was dry or wet. It depends on this, when to use the varnish. Also, a significant role is played by the substance used to dilute the paint, if one has to resort to it, of course.

Which extract to choose?

Experienced artists, when asked about how to dilute oil paints, advise using a mix of hemp and flax as part of the mixture, because they are quick-drying substances that form a film that does not dissolve from an organic solvent (for example, water). In painting, materials from other plant cultures are also used.

Than it is possible to dilute oil paints, depends on their composition. As they say, a wedge kicking out. It is worth looking at the label and figuring out which oil is part of the material, choosing and adding the same. As a rule, it will be an extract of flax or hemp. On their basis, most of the colors sold in our stores are made.

As for the diluent, often in its role use white spirit and liquid turpentine turpentine. In Soviet times these and other compositions had special numbers. Evaporation of such substances occurs quickly, so they are stored in closed flasks.

Dilution with extract

If you are looking for a way to dilute oil paints at home, but do not want to bother with making a "tee", you should like the option of simply adding an extract of plant culture. It is poured into a separate container. It is best to take a liquid based on flax, because it dries faster than others. In this case, you will not feel any extraneous odors, but you will have to have patience while the painting dries. Masters of painting, telling how to dilute oil paints, advised not to abuse this way, because it is intended rather for the lazy and those who are not really in a hurry to cover their creation with varnish. When the work boils and you need free space, it's easier to make a "tee". In the case of the creation of underpainting, it makes sense to do without oil at all.

How quickly your creation dries up depends largely on the thickness of the layer applied during the writing of the painting, the temperature and humidity of the ambient air, the material of the paper or fabric and, of course, the diluent ("tee" or extract).