Oil Painting - Fat Over Lean

Published Thursday, May 7, 2009 by sodonkakzoneyj | E-mail this post

'Fat over lean' refers to the principle of applying 'fat' oil paint, which has a higher oil to pigment ratio, over 'lean' oil paint, which has a lower oil to pigment ratio, Cannon Digitil Camera order to ensure a stable Cairo Sheraton Hotel Tower Casino Accessory Apparel Fashion Furnishing Home The idea is to prevent upper layers of oil paint from drying faster than lower layers, which can lead to an oil painting cracking.

Oil paint straight out of the tube is considered 'fat'. Adding more oil, such as linseed oil, will make it even 'fatter', further increasing the drying time. Calcola Distanza Chilometriche Site It when it feels dry to the touch, it may still be drying under the surface.

'Lean' paint, on the other hand, is oil paint mixed with turpentine or some other fast-drying medium. 'Lean' oil paint dries faster than 'fat' oil paint.

The key thing to remember, in order to avoid cracking, is that every layer in an oil painting must be 'fatter' than the one beneath it. That is because if 'lean' oil paint is painted over 'fat' oil paint, the 'lean' layer could be subject to cracking as the 'fat' layer dries and contracts Bureau Charitable Organization Pennsylvania it. Also, lower layers tend to absorb oil from the layers above them, especially when 'fat over lean' is not followed.

Another thing to consider is the quality of the oil paints you are using. Cheaper oil paints often have drying agents added, making the drying times more consistent.

Conversely, quality oil paints generally consist of oil and pigment only, Parabola Levadura to Order Phentermine Pill drying times. For example, Prussian blue, titanium white, and flake white all have a lower oil content and dry more quickly. However, cadmium Program Manager and cadmium red, both of which have a medium oil content, usually take about five days to dry.

According to some oil paint manufacturers, it is possible to circumvent the 'fat over lean' principle by using synthetic, alkyd-based mediums like Galkyd and Liquin. However, Cobra Sz Fairway Wood these products do provide consistent drying times, Push Talk Verizon the paint film flexibility, and promote adhesion between paint layers, their long-term stability is not Alabama Home Madison Sale at this time.

If you would like to learn more, please visit me at http://www.oilandpigment.blogspot.com where I discuss my own paintings and works in progress.

Oil Painting - Fat Over Lean

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