The use or non use of mediums

[Anthony Emmolo]

Hello Lacey,

You asked me about my drying time not using a medium. Basically I've been just softly dry brushing whites over colored surfaces much the way a lady may build up foundation when applying make-up. Gradually, the paint gets thicker in some areas where I want more white, and is left slightly thinner in other areas where I want the background color to show through more. Done this way, my drying time is about two or three days in the thicker areas. I loosen things with a bit of turp when needed.

By the way, I'm not familiar with OMS. What is it? Do you know any corner shops in Shanghai, China that supply it?

Anthony

[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 .

[Lacey Lewis]

Anthony-

Thanks for the info on drying time! And, OMS is Odorless Mineral Spirits, which Sharon just mentioned in her post. (Thanks, Sharon!)