What do you use to thin your oils?
I wouldn´t like my figures get a shiny surface and some oil mediums seem to have that effect..

Toni

Toni - I use Turpenoid. I don't really get a lot of sheen when Turpenoid evaporates.

Gunnie

When I got my oil paints from the art store, I got some that could be thinned with water and cleaned up with soap and water. They are still artist's quality (the actual name is Windsor & Newton Artisan) and I have not had problems with them, though I have only used them once. I know that probably doesn't help you, but if your figures do get shiny, can't you just spray them with dullcoat?

Nic

Envar,
Try mineral spirits.

What little artist oils I have used I have thinned with odorless mineral spirits.

Hi,

For painting oils and for cleaning my brushes I use terpentine oil. I buy it in artists store.
But Cpt. Folgore is right- to clean your tools you have to use water with soap.

Hope it helps,

Michal

I suggest that oil paint should be thinned for application with a painting medium. The best for keeping a matte finish is Grumbacher Painting Medium No. 1.

Turpenoid, Mineral Spirits, Benzene, Xylol, Toluol are used for cleaning up oils.

Bob,

You're right. There are special products- dedicated for special use (e.g. dissolving oils). But are they worth their price? I have to save my money
If I buy terpentine oil- I can use it not only for cleaning my brushes, but also for: dissolving oils and mineral enamels like Humbrol, preparing filters and washes.

Michal

There are chemistry reasons for using a painting medium. Paint is made up of three elements: pigment, vehicle and medium. In oil paint the medium is linseed oil and the vehicle is mineral spirits or equivalent. By using thinner to reduce paint you are actually reducing the amounf of medium or binder the paint has. If you mixed pigment with thinner only when it dried the pigment would flake off. Use of a painting medium disperses the pigment better and produces an evenly pigmented transparent glaze (filters) which still retains a high binder content. Also, painting medium serves to reduce brush strokes and produces an even consistency to the paint.

Painting medium will last a long time for miniature work so the cost is relatively small considering how long a bottle will last you.

Hi Toni - I apply my W&N oil's straight from the tube ( no thinners ).
I find the finish it just right this way for skin tone's.
I don't have no problems with brush marks either, but I also believe that
is in part to quality oil's and good brushes also.
.......The only time I use thinner's ( Turpenoid or Mineral Spirits ) is
for washes. I also know a Master Modeler who thin's his oil's with regular
Testor's Enamel Thinner ( not the airbrush thinner ).
ALSO - somtimes I will brush on, one thin coat of Testor's Dullcote, over
my oil painted face's, if I think neccessary, after the oil has dried for 48 hrs.
- ralph

Bob,

If my work can suffer because of spending few $$$ less- I will test painting medium I will use it for painting my Warriors figures for Leo :-) I hope you will see my work soon.

Regards,

Michal

Michal, use it sparringly and you should have good results.

Hi Bob

Greetings from Rochester!
How was the club meeting?

Which oil medium gives the dullest/mattest finish? I always forget, and still haven't bought any!

Andy

wow alot of differant replies, i use odourless paint thinner, drys matt and never penetrates the undercoat. Just ask the dude at the art store about what you want and what your using it for, they should have half an idea.

Andy,

Hey there! Are you all moved in? Did your models make it undamaged?

The club meeting went well and we had large turnout considering it was a holiday weekend.. Enjoy the warmth of summer in Rochester 'cause six months from now you'll be freezing your you know what off.

Grumbacher Painting Medium No. 1 is the mattest. It also smells good too.

Hi Bob

We're in temporary accomodations right now. Our closing date will be some time in the next couple of weeks. So the packed stuff is in storage, and I prefer not to think about it!

I'm working on a Wolf Napoleonic figure and the Academy Honey now. I think I'm going to miss Hobby Lobby! The sales were great, and Michaels is good for art supplies/paints, but provides no model kits. The hobby shops here in Rochester are not good for figures.

As a note to all, for figure selection and availability Phil's Hobbies is great! You don't know how good you have things until you leave!!

I'm enjoying weather in the 70s and 80s with cool nights, how's your air conditioner doing!

We bought skis and snow shovels at a garage sale yesterday! So we're getting ready for the winter already!

I will remember, Grumbacher oil medium #1...

Andy

See, as a die hard modeler you should have picked the city with the best hobby shop and moved there instead

I guess you can always purchase online.