Hello fellow artists!
I've been using oil paints now for 6 years or so and bought Marks Geneva line of paints a year ago... and what can I say.... I LOVE IT. Every time I use it its a delight. However I do have quite a large collection of paints from other brands, with some colors that I really like or some power-colors.
I want to use them together with the geneva paint but of course they behave differently; I specifically miss the leveling properties and the long open time on the palette in them. I thought of trying out Marks recipe of a SDM on the DMP website but it contains 10 parts odorless mineral spirits which is exactly the thing that I want to avoid.
My question now is: does someone know a recipe or have experience with a solvent free slow dry medium that acts remotely similar to the geneva paint? Key characteristic should be solvent free, and leveling surface, the drying time doesn't have to be 5 to 10 days.
thank you and best wishes
Chris
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Comments
Replace the OMS with citrus solvent (ZestIt).
or
Experiment with Gamblin’s solvent free fluid
https://gamblincolors.com/studio-safety/solvent-free-painting/
Some clove oil may extend this out to a week.
Using Mark’s SDM for a decade in a well ventilated space, mixed into paint all that is noticeable is the clove oil. I use small closed containers and only bring out what I might need for the next hour. No solvent or rags used, just paper towel and walnut oil with 2% clove oil for brush cleaning and storage immersion.
Denis
@dencal interesting you suggested zestit, I tried some of that last year and you definitely need ventilation. It may say non toxic but I had a headache within 10mins and I had the window open. Had to get rid of it the smell was so strong...
Zest-it® Solvent (Citrus Free)
Zest-it Solvent is a much safer solvent for oil painters than Gum Turpentine and makes an excellent replacement.
Ideal for those oil painters who prefer a non-citrus smell, a stronger action, slightly faster drying and a little more 'bite' to their solvent than the original Oil Paint Dilutant and Brush Cleaner.
Read more - Zest-it® Solvent (Citrus Free) and about Brush Cleaning
I just use pure walnut oil as a medium and brush dip. It adds luster to the paint, takes days to dry, has virtually no odor and has good leveling properties if you use enough of it. It yellows less than linseed oil and it's completely non-toxic - you can eat it. And it's inexpensive. I get it from our local health food store. If solvent free painting is what you're after walnut oil is great.
How well do they work? Any problems using them?
I've been using the aluminum paint tubes and they tend to be difficult to fill and messy.