Walnut oil M. Graham

[ReNae Stueve]

I've just received a sample pack from the M.Graham Company, along with literature about the safe use of walnut oil. I must say the color of these paints is brilliant. And the consistency is what I'd guess people would call buttery.

Anyone have any input on their products' long term quality? Or just about the walnut oil for use as a medium and brush cleaner?

I'm going to do a simple still life to see how I like the stuff. I'll add my 2 cents after I'm finished.

Thanks,

[Michael Georges]

I have several tubes of M.Graham and like them. Walnut oil dries slower than linseed and the film is reputed to be less tough. But it is also supposed to yellow less over time.

[ReNae Stueve]

Michael,

Thank you for responding. Yes I think I will like these colors. They have a strong staining power, that will be nice in glazes. Perhaps with a little lindseed based medium within my layers, the strength will be improved also. I've noticed that my other paints (W&N) all have safflower oil in them, while I was assuming that they were linseed based. This was what prompted me to try the Graham product. I'd tried Gamblin, without much complaint, but, and this may sound silly, the caps on the tubes are too small and actually break off in my hand. Not all on the colors get me too excited either. Anyway, this isn't about them. I'm 1/3 into the new still life, I won't post it here, but I'll let you know how it goes if your interested.

[Michael Georges]

ReNae:

Sure, would love to see it! Pop a pic in the email to me if you like - [email protected]

[Mary Reilly]

ReNae,
I was curious if you ever finished that still life using the M.Graham paints? Are you still using them and what is your final opinion? How about the Walnut Oil as a cleaner and/or medium? I am waiting for some sample tubes to arrive now and I thought I would do some research on this product and this is part of my "checking it out".

Does anyone else have any experience with this brand or any thoughts regarding permanency etc?
Thanks,
Mary

[ReNae Stueve]

Mary,

Yes I did finish that one. Jeez, Time flies. I had forgotten about this thread.

I'll get a photo of it and post it when I get home.

I liked the paints for use in this type of still life. The colors glowed.

[Mary Reilly]

ReNae,
Thanks for the info.
Are you still using the Graham paint or did you return to your prior brand? What are your thoughts on the Walnut Oil? Did you use it as the medium and also for cleaning your brushes? The paints that I am being sent are suppose to come with a bottle of Walnut Oil for this purpose.
I was reading Morgan Weistling's website the other night and he mentions using Graham paint. I thought that was kind of interesting as I happened across that info on his site right at the time I was trying to find out more about the paint.
Mary

[ReNae Stueve]

Mary,

Yes I am still using the Graham paints, although not exclusively. My new test paint is Cennini's.

Back to the Graham. They handled very well. The consistency is such that no medium is required, which is my goal always, to paint without mediums where ever possible. I tried the walnut oil for cleaning and conditioning and it was OK, but I have not switched, I use OMS and turps for that, with a soap brush cleaner. The tinting strength of the colors I purchased is very strong, and these hues are also very translucent. I purchased Naphthol and Quinacridone red, Manganese and Ultramarine blue and Cad Yellow Light. Using them in glazes over reflective light passages gave the area the wonderful glow I was hoping for.


I'm in Nevada right now, but when I return, I'll e-mail you a photo of the first piece I did with them. It's a white china figurine, that carries violet and orange reflective light through the shadows and the Graham really made these area sing. People have told me that it grows out of the canvas. I duno....I've been looking at it too long to tell, but the Grahams made it easy to do.

[Mary Reilly]

Thanks, your post has been helpful.

Mary