Air Purifiers

[Marvin Mattelson]

Sometimes the linseed oil beads up. The Oleogel doesn't, and covers more evenly. Try it; you'll like it.

[John Reidy]

Regarding drying oils, I add a drop of Clove Oil to my palette while mixing my paints. I transfer my mixed paints to the Masterson Palette Box and store overnight in a refrigerator. I usually have 2 palettes going at once and today I used a palette that I mixed originally over a month ago. All colors are good except the white, which I don't add any clove oil to.

I do use odorless mineral spirits by Gamsol to give a final cleaning to my brushes before I use soap and water but I keep it in sealed containers to avoid the toxicity. I will look into those you mentioned, Marvin.

[Marvin Mattelson]

Hi John,

Clove oil is an archival compromise. It keeps the colors on the palette from drying out, but it also retards the drying of your painting. If you work in layers this can lead to premature cracking. Too much clove also darkens paint over time. To me nothing rivals fresh paint every day.

[John Reidy]

Interesting. I only use a drop per color string so I felt I was being safe. The colors I mentioned that have remained relatively fresh were special colors for a shirt and foliage that would require many visits with multiple drying times in between. To those colors I added just a bit more clove oil.

I didn't feel comfortable mixing and remixing the same colors but I guess I may have to change my approach. Afterall, if I can develop the original color by mixing I should be able to recreate it. I hope I am good enough to do that.