Now that we are entering the outdoor painting
season in Minnesota, it seems like an appropriate time to review several
paint lines that can be used “plein air”.
Several companies offer a fast drying white
in their oil paint lines, but Winsor & Newton has
a range of 42 colors in their Griffin alkyd oil color selection.
Griffin colors are manufactured from pigments suspended in oil modified
alkyd resin and solvent. They produce an extremely fast drying oil paint
that is appropriate to use alone or in conjunction with regular oil
paints. Griffin is an excellent choice for creating a finished work
in the field. Its drying time is longer than that of acrylic (plenty
of open working time) but faster than traditional oil (no messy, wet
oil paint to transport). Griffin is great for underpainting in the studio
or plein air.
Speaking of versatile paints, casein may be the most well-rounded offering in the paint department. Casein
is a quick-drying, aqueous medium that combines a milk-based binding
agent (curd derived from soured skim milk) with artists’ grade
pigment.
Casein paints may be used to create thin watercolor-like
washes, smooth, opaque layers that resemble gouache or the more textured
films usually associated with acrylics or oils. They are also appropriate
for underpainting; glazing is possible within a few hours time, so whether
you are painting outdoors and adding the finishing touches in your studio
or completing your work in one sitting, casein may be the right paint
for the job.
Egg tempera is another paint
from antiquity often used in the field for underpainting. It is semi-opaque,
water soluble and permanent when dry. Egg tempera is pigment bound by
an egg emulsion and, like casein, it is best painted on a rigid surface
and dries to a satin-matte finish. Unlike casein, however, egg tempera
works best when it is layered in short, translucent strokes rather than
longer, opaque ones.
In addition to these paints we have a comprehensive
range of materials for the plein air painter including brushes, panels
and easels. Before your next painting excursion stop at Wet Paint to
get outfitted!
You can purchase these paints right here at our Online Store by clicking on the links above!
A hotseller from Wet Paint’s selection of magazines has been PLEIN
AIR,
a beautifully designed publication that regularly sells out.
· Established 1976 · Creative Supplies for Creative People 
