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Question asked 2017-03-13 10:36:30 ...
Most recent comment 2017-11-26 13:20:53
Alkyd
I looked at previous posts but still find the advice I've seen on using alkyd mediums a bit confusing and contradictory. On one hand I've read that it is best to use alkyd mediums only in lower layers because you want faster drying layers under slower drying layers. This makes sense to me. However, I've also seen recommendations from manufacturers to increase the amounts of alkyd medium in subsequent layers to maintain fat over lean (more flexible over less flexible?) but that seems to contradict the slow over fast drying concept. Ultimately, I would like to use M. Graham solvent free walnut akyd medium in the underpainting/blocking in and then straight oils in subsequent layers. Would I need to worry about a) adhesion between the first and second layers or b) violating fat over lean/ more flexible over less flexible?
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Moderator Answer
(brian baade)
You are correct about the conundrum. It is generally best to
have lower layers dry faster than upper layers and to have upper layer more
flexible and generally fatter than those below them.
I would suggest that when adding medium to a paint, as opposed
to underpainting with pre-made alkyd paints which contain a minimum of binder,
you only use it in the final paint layers. In ala prima paintings this may be
the first layer and in more complex paint layering it may be the 7th
or later layer. This also means that you should really let the lower layers dry
well before applying the final layers. You should also refrain from using poor
drying and weak film forming paints in the lower layers unless they are a part
of a mixture containing better film forming paints (ie ivory black should have
a good amount of white added to it when used in lower paint layers)
Does this
clear things up at all?
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Moderator Answer
(brian baade)
Again, you are not completely wrong about the contradiction.
Adding larger and larger amounts of fast drying alkyd mediums to subsequent oil
paint layers does mean that the top layers would dry faster than the lower layers.
In practice, this is a matter of degree. Small incremental differences will
probably not cause a major problem in terms of drying differences and the added
flexibility of the later layers would conform to the preferred practice of more
flexible on top of less flexible.
Alkyd mediums have been in use for a
relatively good length of time and the practice of judicious additions these to
traditional oil paint does not seem to have caused problems.
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Moderator Answer
(brian baade)
If you are diametrically opposed to the use of alkyd mediums
despite their good track record, there are a couple of options. Choose only paints
composed of fast drying pigments (lead white, umbers etc) or the judicious
addition of driers. I am adapting one of
my responses to another thread as it is applicable here.
I generally do not recommend that artists add driers to
their paints and mediums because it is way too easy to add more than necessary
and risk compromising your paint film over time. If you performed systematic
tests and only added just the amount necessary to make a paint that dries in a
reasonable amount of time (a couple of days) this should be safe. If it were
me, I would make up a batch (eg 8 oz) of your chosen solvent (eg odorless
mineral spirits) and add a few drops of drier. Then add this to a blob of paint
diluted in the manner that is typical for you. Test how many days this takes to
dry. If it is still too long, add another couple of drops and try again until
you figure out the proportions necessary to create a drying rate that meets
your requirements. Do not add more than necessary.
Others may have additional thoughts.
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