About the Oil
in Oil
Paint
LINSEED OIL
Linseed oil is the most commonly used
oil. It comes from the pressed seeds of the flax plant (linun usitatissimum).
It can be processed in a variety of ways to suit the artist’s
needs: cold pressed linseed, refined linseed, stand,
and sun-thickened linseed oil. The chart below shows the differences between the varieties. Overall, linseed oils are
known for their durability. Although over time, with the exposure to
light, the painting film may yellow and become brittle.
| |
Cold
Pressed |
Refined |
Stand |
Sun-thicken |
Made
by |
Crushing
flax seeds under
great pressure;
most pure |
Steam heating
seeds before pressing; less pure |
Heating
oil to about 300C (570F) in the absence of oxygen |
Mixing equal
parts of water to linseed and end by exposing it
to light for several weeks |
Cohesion |
low to medium |
medium to
high |
medium to
high |
medium to
high |
Dry |
quickly, compared to other linseed
|
|
slow |
medium |
Property |
medium light-bodied |
|
heavy-bodied;
good leveler (enamel-like) |
medium-bodied;
good leveler |
Color |
yellow |
pale yellow |
yellow |
yellow |
POPPY SEED OIL
Poppy seed oil is extracted from
poppy seeds. It is pale in color and will not yellow with age. Because
of this quality it is used as a binder for whites and light colors.
Gamblin has manufactured a white called radiant white that uses poppy
oil. Blockx is the only line that only uses only poppy oil as the binder.
It dries very slowly (15 to 20days), which is why it isn’t generally
used for all color.
WALNUT OIL
Walnut Oil is made from pressed walnuts.
It is a non-toxic, non-yellowing slow drying oil. It can be used to
clean brushes instead of turpentine. Graham uses walnut oil as the binder
in all of their oil paints. Graham oils are inexpensive so it is great
for those persons wanting professional quality paint with out the price.
SAFFLOWER OIL
Safflower Oil is pressed from the
seeds of the safflower plant (Carthamus tinctortus) found in the Near
East and commercially grown in North America. Safflower oil is a drying
oil. This oil is most commonly seen in white paints because of its pale
color and it’s higher resistance to yellowing than linseed oil.
Some have said that safflower oil becomes more brittle more quickly
than linseed oil.
SPIKE LAVENDER OIL
Spike Lavender Oil is not to be confused
with lavender oil, a flower essence used in perfumes. Spike Lavender
is distilled from a broad-leafed variety of lavender. It was first produced
in the sixteenth century at about the same time as turpentine was introduced
and for some time was used more widely than turpentine. It’s properties
are very similar to turpentine, however it has more of a tendency to
gum or oxidize. It has a slower evaporation time, is a good leveler,
and has a glossy finish. It is ideal as an ingredient in a varnish and
for delicate painting techniques.
Related Articles:
About
Mediums for Oil Paints
Professional
Oil Paints at Wet Paint
Top
· Established 1976 · Creative Supplies for Creative People 
