White Spirit and Distilled English Turp Question

[KeithP]

Folks-

I would like to reduce glossy appearance and thin down my artist oils...

I have seem some discussion here and elsewhere on the use of White Spirits, Artist White Spirits and/or English Distilled Turpentine.

I have looked them all up on various manuf webs and they all appear to have slightly different characteristics.

Can any one tell me which is best for reducing oil gloss, quicken drying and good thinning properties?

I will be "on vacation :lol: " for a few days. Hopefully, I can have some input by the time I get back...

Thanks!

Keith

 

[Hardy]

Hi Keith, Daler-Rowney turpentine. It works superbly, but stinks.

 

[KeithP]

Thanks, Hardy. That was quick.

I had seen your earlier articles mentioning Daler - Rowney. Unfortunately, I cannot locate that particular brand of turp here in the US. Seems to be local to the UK... WN has the Artist White Spirits, tho...

Keith

 

[Hardy]

Would not like to import the stuff its like rocket fuel . I cannot comment on WN turps as I have not used it.

 

[Roc]

Hey Keith, personally I dont use thinners to thin my oils, I use oils straight out of the tubes, thinners break down the pigments.

I you're looking for a matte finish, put the figure in the oven or a crock pot.


Take care and have a great vacation.

Cheers,

Roc.

 

[KeithP]

Roc-

Thanks!

I find that my wet on dry does not come off the brush as well...
And, some of the "blues" are a bit more shiney...

I do use a dry box with a 60 watt bulb. Makes a big diff in the matte-ing...

I will have a nice vacation when my wife decides she is done packing and I can load the darn car :lol:

Keith

 

[Einion]

Keith, if you buy artists'-quality turpentine there should be no difference between brands.

BTW turpentine, English distilled turpentine, turpentine oil and turpentine essence are the same thing, just in case you see it named differently; it should look exactly like water. If you do want the real thing don't buy the hardware store variety, it's not the same as the refined product sold for artistic use. If you buy it in a clear glass bottle store it in a cool dark place, it goes off when exposed to light.

I would strongly advise you to use mineral spirits though, particularly if you paint in your home. Some people are allergic to the aromatic fractions of turpentine and you can build up a sensitivity to it over time if you're not currently - Hardy, if your studio smells when you're using it your ventilation isn't good enough Ventilation when using a solvent should move air past you, then the work, not past the work towards you, and you should aim for about a half-dozen room volumes of air to be exchanged per hour minimum. It really helps to cap your turps when not actively using it.

Another reason to prefer mineral spirits is that it helps to ensure a matt finish, a modest addition of turpentine actually increases gloss in oil paints (and enamels). For my money I would also soak out excess oil (unless you're using certain ultra-pigmented, v. expensive, brands) and speed-dry using heat as a general principle if you want to avoid having to use a matt overcoat.

If anyone is particularly worried about solvent vapours look for a low-odour solvent, usually sold as OMS or Odourless Mineral Spirits, they are far safer to use. Although they dry slower and are not quite as effective they should work fine for our types of application.

Originally posted by Roc@Sep 3 2004, 06:54 PM
...thinners break down the pigments.

Sorry Roc, turps or mineral spirits don't actually break down any pigments, they dilute the binder.

Einion

 

[Guy]

I use W/N Turp and Floquil Diosol, which do have some fumes. When we moved into this house 2 years ago, I had to install a ceiling fan and an exhaust fan in the window to pull the fumes out. At first my wife couldn't sit here in the den but now with the ceiling fan on low and the exhaust fan on low while I am painting, she has stated she doesn't smell the fumes.

 

[KeithP]

Thanks for all the great info.

This is about the only aspect of the hobby I dislike. The occassional volatile solvent from GS or green putty. I guess I better put that fan it, too...

I wish I was better at the acrylic stuff... :lol:

Ths again for the help. It's appreciated!

Keith