The use or non use of mediums

[Sharon Knettell]

I distinctly remember that Mr. Harding warned me against using mineral spirits (Turpenoid or other similar thinners). He said that he only uses them to clean the built up pigment in his paint mixing machines. It is the most powerful of all the solvents for that purpose.

Now I only use the highest quality refined turpentine.

The reason Mr. Harding went into paint making was he was a portrait painter himself and was disturbed by the low quality of the materials available as well as the general ignorance of what actually went into creating archival work .