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Question asked 2023-04-03 10:46:33 ...
Most recent comment 2023-12-31 21:39:48
Paint Making
Dear members,
Every time I am making Ultramarine paint with my students, it turnes out too long, or too short. There seems to be no middle ground. It either is too stringy or too gum like.
When adding a little chalk, it suddenly turnes into gum when you press. And when leaving it, it just runs/ flows. Weird behaviour. And I don' t know how to solve this.
I already am using linseed oil with 2-3 % aluminum stearate, but it doesn' t seem to help. Also chalk doesn't do it, nor added beeswax. When adding more pigment it even becomes more runny.
I know "it is a property of the pigment" , but there has to be a way to make it yourself properly, right? What am I doing wrong, what might help?
Thanks in advance.
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Moderator Answer
(mkinsey)
Some pigments do naturally produce "long" paints, and without the advantage of manufacturing processes that yield a uniformly "buttery" body, handmade paints do have different properties by comparison. Many artists actually enjoy that difference! It sounds like you might be adding the stearate to the oil before introducing pigment. You might have better results blending the aluminum stearate with the pigment first so the amendment can more thoroughly coat the pigment and impart more shortness. You might also want to let each batch of paint rest for a while so the gel effect can develop. Hope this helps!
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