Thinners

Refined linseed oil

The linseed oil is extracted from the mature seed of flax. The seeds are grinded and pressed. Basically there are two ways to produce linseed oil: hot and cold. For the purposes of painting the cold produced linseed oil is the best. It is clear or light yellow in color, and has very specific smell. The linseed that was produced via hot extraction has heavier smell, and has darker color – deep yellow to light brown. The refined linseed oil is very suitable for the production of oil paints, emulsions for tempera paints, thinners and for the preparation of classical primers and oil varnishes.

Quick drying linseed oil 

The quick drying linseed oil is refined linseed oil mixed with siccative. In small quantities it may be used for dilution of the oil paint to get the desired consistency. When mixed with the paint the drying period is shortened. It may be found in the constitution of many primers and emulsions.

Working ferniz – medium 

While working with oil paints it is recommended to use working ferniz in order to dilute them. This medium contains basic thinner for oil paints and linseed oil, which protects the colors and softens the unwanted effect of the basic thinner. The working ferniz is not the final varnish, and it is not suitable for cleaning the brushes and the palette knifes. This medium is used to dilute the paints up to the desired consistency, betters the drying process and adds gloss and transparency of the oil paints.

White alcohol – deodorized 

This is a thinner for oil paints, without color and smell. The deodorized white alcohol is mineral turpentine, made from petrol distillates, that is extremely well refined product. It may be used as substitute of the turpentine oil. The difference is that the smell of the deodorized while alcohol is definitely not that strong as the one of the turpentine oil and the color is very clear. The white alcohol is neutral to the oil paint – it doesn’t make any difference, as it doesn’t form any tarring. Because of the removal of the aromatic hydrocarbons, the deodorized white alcohol cannot be used to make varnishes. It doesn’t dilute resins such as dammar resin and mastics. The deodorized white alcohol can be used for dilution of the oil paints, cleaning the brushes and for removing layers of not dried oil paint layers. It is preferred by painters who can’t stand the smell of the turpentine oil.

Turpentine
Balsamic turpentine oil

The balsamic turpentine has very characteristic pleasant smell. It is made by distillation of raisin, which leaks from the trees. This diluter for oil paints fastens the drying process, as it loses part of its essential oils. It successfully dilutes raisins and balsams. It may be used as final varnish in combination with dammar raisin. During the working process the balsamic turpentine oil may be used for dilution of the oil paints, cleaning the brushes and for cleaning semi dried layers of oil paints. It is ideal to make varnishes and fernizes from dammar raisin and mastix.