Thinner for oils. Need help!

[Miltiades]

Which one would you offer ?
I can't figure out which one's worth buying ?


Regards
Ralph

 

[thegoodsgt]

What do you need the thinner for? I ask only because we generally do not thin oils when applying them to a figure. Follow Shep Paine's advice, "Spread it out, don't thin it out."

 

[Einion]

Ralph, any white spirits/mineral spirits can be used to thin oils. If you work in an enclosed space I'd recommend giving serious thought to the low-odour type (often sold as odourless mineral spirits or OMS, although there is still some odour).

You can buy perfectly good ones of either type in DIY/hardware stores but if you have trouble locating any where you live and have to go with something made for artists then W&N's Sansodor or D-R's Low Odour Thinners are likely to be the most commonly available in the UK.

If you would prefer to go with turpentine it can be worth buying one marketed for artists; although good ones can be found in the hardware store problem is you usually aren't able to open the container to have a look and a sniff before you buy.

Follow Shep Paine's advice, "Spread it out, don't thin it out."

Lots of modellers today use a diluent for oils, both to help prevent brushstrokes as well as to help achieve a matt finish. High-end oils in particular can be thinned like enamel paints and used similarly, with similar quality results.

Einion

 

[geaugan]

Let me clarify. I pulled out Shep'sa book. What he actually says is: "without controlling the consistency, you can't control the paint." "If the paint is too thick it will be reluctant to leave the brush, and if it is too thin it will run all over the place." If it is just right it will flow smoothy from the brush like ink from a pen." 'When you have acheived the proper consistency, you can maintain it by occasionally adding a bit of thinner to compensate for evaporation. " As far as what to use ? Einion knows his stuff!

 

[pkess]

I never use a thinner with oils. Straight from the tube over an acrylic base.

 

[lscrep]

Drying oils

I went to Walmart and bought a small slow cooker or crockpot. Cost $10.00. I just started using it to dry flats and figures. At low setting temp 150 degrees base on my thermomter.
a couple of hours for a flat and its dry , time is based on size of figure etc. This was far cheaper and easier than making any one of the various drying box plans I have seen, and then when hungry I can start a meal in it while I'm painting, and eat when done.

 

[Miltiades]

Thanks for supporting me