Painted this one a year ago, so I can't remember too much about what I did. Tree leaves seem flat, but at least there's depth to the overall scene and some reflections in the water. I'll take it for my second attempt.
11x14 canvas; water-mixable oil paint
Hello, Voy Kay. I can't compare regular oil paint to what I use, since I've only used the water-mixable. I did do a lot of research before making my first purchase, and it seems the WM paints have come a long way since they were first introduced.
I use linseed oil in place of paint thinner. A 50/50 mix with white makes up a Liquid White alternative. If I want Liquid Clear, I just wipe on plain linseed oil. Then, throughout the painting process, I use an eye dropper (filled with linseed oil) to thin paints that will be going over thicker paint (i.e. the yellows and greens that go over the dark color of a tree).
Cleaning brushes afterward is as simple as washing them in dish soap and water. When necessary, a more powerful cleanser (I use Soft Scrub) can be used.
One thing I have noticed: When using hog hair bristles, once I get them wet (water), they're done. Can't use them until they've been cleaned and allowed to dry while wrapped in a paper towel (for re-shaping purposes). I believe water and hog hair bristles do not play well together; therefore, I mostly use synthetic bristles which can be washed, dried, and used again during a session.
I started out with Mont Marte paint (less expensive), but now that I've gotten a bit better, I'm using Winsor & Newton's Water-Mixable paint. It's thicker right out of the tube and can be thinned with the aforementioned linseed oil when necessary.
Hope I answered your questions, Voy Kay.
Regards.
Dear Alex, VERY satisfactory and helpful reply! Thank you so much for your effort!
Happy painting and till next creation!
Glad I could help, Voy Kay. And my next creation will be posted tomorrow (one a day for the next 9 or 10 days). I don't want to overwhelm people by posting my (cough-cough) "masterpieces" all at once. Too much laughter causes side aches. 😁
SPOILER ALERT: The next painting has a cabin in it.
Hi Alex, do you have trouble getting all the linseed oil out of your brushes using water only?
I have to revert to white spirit occasionally to get the brushes properly clean which kinda defeats the object of using WM oils, it's most frustrating.
I'm not exactly sure, Tel (on getting the linseed oil out of the brushes). They look and feel clean, but sometimes I wonder if there isn't some residual paint or linseed oil deep inside the bristles. As I wrote above, I use Soft Scrub when I think the dish soap isn't doing the job. I might have to try a non water-based cleaner to see if I notice a difference.
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How does that water-mixable oil paint handle Alex? Does that need a precoating (liquid white or clear) as well?
How easy do the brushes clean?