Oil paints - gloss problem

[DaveCox]

Why do my oil paints sometimes dry gloss, and sometimes matt? I've painted part of a figure today, and using the same colour mix on the sleeves, one is drying matt and the other gloss. The figure is currently under a halogen lamp to help drying, but it's puzzling me why this is happening!

 

[Einion]

The oil paint gods are fickle - that's about as good an explanation as any!

For the same mixture on different areas minute differences in the absorbency of the undercoat, the thickness of the oil coat and oil content in the original nut of paint might be at fault but it's hard to see how these could have as profound an effect as we see at times.

Einion

 

[elvis]

:lol: dear Dave, if you don't used some medium for diluation the oils, you will have always a problem. I used always in my oil mix the medium is call Sansodor, of winsor e newton. ciao from Luca

 

[Kisifer]

I will agree with Luca. I also use Sansodor from W&N and never had problem with glossy finish.

Xenofon

 

[DaveCox]

Thanks for the help so far. Luca - I always dilute the oil paint so that it is broken down a bit, never use it direct from the tube.

 

[MikkoH]

Also if you put figure in owen thats abt 50 celcius oils usually dry satin finish. Atleast my does.

 

[Kandor8]

Hi Dave,

Depending on the oil content in each individual tube of paint can determine how matt or gloss your finish will be. If a tube of paint has a heavy oil content I squeeze the amount I need on an index card or some other absorbant surface and let it set for a while - half hour to an hour so that excess oil will be drawn off. Also, I always use Dorland's Wax Medium, add to taste with turps, and you'll usually have a nice matte finish. Like Einion said earlier, oils are fickle. I have known some painters who apply Dorland's AFTER completeing the figure and it has dried
to acheive a flat finish, which can work, I just don't subscribe to that technique. Just avoid clear matte coatings unless it is designed for oils. If you use a water based or a clear flat lacquer coating you'll get some interesting effects, but NOT one you'll want.

Best!
Ric

 

[Roc]

I use the same method that Mikko uses and it works for me too.

If the problem still persists I give the entire figure a mist of Dullcoat by Testors.

Cheers
Roc.

 

[garyjd]

You may even try putting your paint on a paper palette as it should draw out some of the oil and it may also shorten the drying time on the piece.~Gary

 

[DaveCox]

Thanks for all the tips - I'll try some of them out next time and see which ones work for me.