Painting Question

[mikeg]

Hello folks,

I've got a question about painting. ??? I read in one of Pete LeClair's books that he dips or paints his figures with tinted boiled linseed oil before painting. In his book, Mike Shipley paints then dips.

I was wondering, if I dip my figure in the boiled linseed oil first and let it dry, will the paints run less and cover more evenly when I paint?

I do have some sealer I can use but I'm wondering about the boiled linseed oil. I've also heard about soaking the figure in water but it takes me a while to paint so I'm afraid it would dry out before I finished.

Thanks in advance,
mikeg

Mike, I've dipped before painting and after painting for pretty good results. *I don't use this technique very often (because of the smell and 'cure' time) but I do like the look it gives the carving---much richer look, especially if you buff it with a brown paper bag when it dries a bit. *

I think you'd be ok painting within a week of the pre-treatment. *It does hold the moisture at least that long. *It's doesn't necessarily keep the paint from bleeding, but it slows it down. *

I've also tried wetting down a carving with water before painting (I sprayed it instead of dipping it) and like the look *I got when using water based paints. *It seemed to take less paint to get the color I wanted since the wood was already wet. *It does seem to paint more evenly when the wood is already wet. *

I don't know anything, other than a stop cut, that will prevent paint from bleeding. *So try dipping a carving, wiping it dry (and disposing the wipe rag properly cause it is extremely flamable), letting it dry for *a week or so in a well ventillated area, then buff it to a fine luster by using a wadded up brown paper bag. *

Donna T

A question?? You dip your carving in water, or spray it with water, dosent this raise the grain and the imperfections in the wood?? Something you might like to try, TK Sealer, it comes in clear and white. dosent raise the grain, and paint goes on over it evenly. A tough sealer, with a little bit of texture to it. I believe that the texture is responsible for keeping the paint from sliding around. I'm not sure about using it over an oil base like linseed oil. Hope this helps. Hugh

[mikeg]

Between this forum and the woodcarving mail list I've gotten similar answers. I think I'll just use the sealer and paint it. I'll save the expirimentaion for another time. I don't want to mess it up since it's for the ornament swap.

And Hugh, yes, dunking it did raise the grain on the one I've tried it on but not too badly.

thanks for the input though.

mikeg

[mikeg]

I forgot my other question about linseed oil. How do you clean it from brushes? The can I bought doesn't have cleaning instructions!

Once again,
thanks,
mikeg

Clean linseed oil from your brushes with turpentine or paint thinner. Then, if you're energetic, wash the brush gently in soap and water.

I don't know how healthy this is, but have been doing it for years and hasn't killed me yet. I don't use brushes, just get some in the palm of my hand and rub it on the carving. Wash my hands and I'm done.