Mead Gardens

8x10 inches
oil on panel
500.00
silver plein air frame

Purchase at: www.lindablondheim.com


Painters Tip




Solvents and Thinners


A thinner is mixed in the binder to improve the flow of the paint. Solvents are used to clean paint off brushes and to thin paint during the lean step of a painting.


Solvent is also used to thin out portions of a painting in the early stages, allowing removal of areas which are undesired.


Too much thinner in a medium can leave the paint film weak and prone to cracking.


The measurement of solvent to binder depends on the absorbency of the surface, how much manipulation of the paint you desire, and the amount of glazing, reworking the surface, and layering of paint, and finally, the quality of the paint.


Solvents:


Distilled Turpentine- This is a very popular long used diltillation of resin from pine trees. It's strong odor can be unpleasant and many painters have begun using substitutes to avoid the fumes.


Artist Mineral Spirits- A petroleum product which shares many similarities with
turpentine.


Household White Mineral Spirits- Best for using as a brush cleaner, not for painting mediums.


Odorless Thinners- are now very popular because of health concerns. My favorite one is Weber Turpenoid in the blue and white can.


More on mediums tomorrow.........