Re: stabilizer other than wax

In Reply to: stabilizer other than wax posted by tom on 09/19/00 at 2:05 PM:

: thank you. but i am interested in something other than wax, since even a small amount of wax seems to effect the quality of the oil paint. i read in some old manuals that green earth is both inert, low or no tinting strength and serves this purpose, so i will try your formula and the green earth and compare. thank you.

You had mentioned before that you wanted either 1. a source of pure aluminum stearate or 2. a different additive that may bring about similar result? You may find a source of aluminum stearate from a local artist's paint manufacturer, you may be lucky and even get a free sample. Aluminum stearate is a soap made with tallow treated with alum. It acts as a colloidal agent in linseed oil and is used in production oil paints to help prevent oil separation. I agree with you about the wax. Green earth is just another pigment and a very stable one, a grity silicate and even though it has a weak colour it still will produce an undesirable colour effect. Too much of any additive to oil paint is bad unless it is part of big production companies - this helps save $$$ and gives a uniform product to the consumer. If this is what you desire it is better to buy comercial oil paints. Your answer may be no to that. My recommondation would be to try finding a high quality cold pressed linseed oil, or make your own (starting with cold pressed flax oil found in local health food stores). The reason is the iodine number of this oil is high and will wet your pigments well and will hold your pigments in a paste form longer. There will always be some exceptions when it comes to some pigments but then there are so many to choose from or at least limit yourself to. Also it is better if you are going to make your own oil colours to make small amounts at a time - unless of course you are planning to start up your own business and then maybe all that I have offered here is of little use :-) Happy mulling.
 
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