Giving Spotlight: One Tree Planted
In an effort to spread the word about the incredible organizations we give back to and the work they're accomplishing, we're introducing our Giving Spotlight blog series. This month's spotlight...
I used less dust in my clear gesso recipe than called for, as this was the first time experimenting with it. I am pleased to find that gripping power appeared to be there for oil painting.
Initially I used too much medium. Painting was still sticky after a few days even after using a heating tool. I then used much less and got a nice shiny surface. So I would say it’s a very good product, I just had to learn to use it correctly!
The easiest way I can describe my paints made with refined walnut oil is that they smell like salad instead of toxic waste. Being around commercial oil paints bothers me in a matter of minutes, but my natural earth oil paints do not bother me at all. The refined walnut oil is very good quality and mixes easily with pigments to make paint or thin already mixed paint. I am very happy with it and use it every day.
Eco-solve works great as a thinner and brush cleaner without nasty fumes. I cannot use mineral spirits because the fumes knock me out, but I can use eco-solve with no problems. I am so happy I found Natural Earth Paints because everything I have used so far works amazingly well and does not bother me in any way.
I didn't think I would ever be able to use oil paints because the fumes from commercial paints are more than I am willing to deal with. A few weeks ago my art teacher discovered Natural Earth Paints and sent me a link to check them out. After watching all the videos and purchasing pigments, oil and eco-solve I am happy to report that I love these paints. I really like being able to mix my own paints because I can make them however I want them to be, and adjusting them after they are made is super easy. I am obviously new to oil painting, but after two paintings I am very happy and looking forward to many more paintings to come.