Tasha Cathey, one of our lovely affiliates, shared with us her simple yet stunning natural oil paint tutorial featuring our versatile Earth & Mineral Pigments and Refined Walnut Oil; we hope you enjoy it as much as we do!
Step 1: Gather supplies.
- Walnut or Linseed Oil
- Earth & Mineral Pigments
- Glass Palette
- Palette Knife
- Glass Muller
The dropper is optional, it just makes it easier to apply the oil. A glass palette is also recommended for easy mixing and clean up.
Step 2: Begin pouring pigment onto a glass palette.
The amount of pigment is up to you.
Step 3: Create a small crater on the top with your finger.
Step 4: Add linseed or walnut oil.
Keep it near a 1:5 ratio (oil to pigment). Each pigment will react slightly differently so add more or less oil to acquire the consistency you prefer. Some artists like their paint wetter, some prefer it to be thicker.
Step 5: Mix the pigment with the oil by pushing the pigment gently inward towards the oil drop.
Mix until it looks similar to toothpaste.
This is what it should start looking like.
Step 6: Scrape the pigment with the palette knife into a central pile and grab your glass muller.
Step 7: With your thumb up and fist laying flat on the muller mix in a figure eight pattern.
Step 8: Try different motions and patterns.
Keep the motions repetitive and revisit over areas where paint has gathered.
Step 9: Scrape the paint into a central pile and repeat process of mixing with your muller.
When it’s done, the oil paint should hold it’s shape well and stand up with good form.
Step 10: Continue mixing at your leisure.
Add oil or pigment to achieve the consistency you prefer, it’s up to you!
Finished product! So beautiful…
Step 11: Add white pigment or whatever color you prefer to this mixture to create a range in colors.
I created this palette by adding Titanium White pigment.
Enjoy! Store this paint in empty aluminum paint tubes and it will keep for 1-3 years.
Interested in more recipes featuring Natural Earth Paint products? Visit our Recipes page!
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