Description
M Graham Walnut Oil
Walnut oil is a natural oil that does not evaporate or remove essential oils from the artist brushes. The addition of M Graham walnut oil to oil paint will slow drying, enhance flow, and increase sheen.
Sizes:
- 4 oz (plastic bottle)
- 8 oz (plastic bottle)
- 32 oz (metal container)
Find M. Graham Walnut Alkyd Medium here.
About:
Walnut oil has a unique refractive index. Colors ground in this fine medium are more jewel-like and bright.
This medium is designed to augment the special nature of M Graham oils, but it is completely compatible with other artists oils and mediums.
Walnut oil does not yellow as much as other oils. This is especially important in whites, blues, and yellows. It does dry a bit slower than linseed oil. Based on environmental factors and paint film thickness, about 20% slower.
If you want your paint more fluid or creamy, then add a small amount of medium as in 1 – 3 drops per inch of extruded paint and mix it in. You can always add more, but do so in small amounts until you get the desired consistency. There is not an exact measurement or rule as every artist and technique is different. However, we do caution about adding too much as your paint can become too thin and oily.
It is important to realize that the masters did not have petroleum based solvents. Because of that, they had to clean their brushes with, in most cases, walnut oil. And you can too! Wipe the excess oil paint off your brush with a rag or paper towel. Dip your brush into a container of walnut oil. Then, using your rag or paper towel, wipe the paint off the brush. Repeat this process until the paint is removed. Be sure to wash your brushes with warm water and a mild soap like Dawn, Pink Soap, Murphys Oil Soap, or any brush soap at the end of the day. If you leave oils in the brush, it will dry and then the brush is unusable.
Continue to use this medium over and over again until it will no longer slide the paint off the brush. The main difference between walnut oil and solvents is that a solvent dissolves the paint. Conversely, walnut oil makes the paint slide off the bristles of the brush. Cleaning your brushes this way is safer for you and the environment, as well as being easier on your brushes.
For oiling out, we recommend using walnut oil instead of alkyd. After the paint has cured (dried), take a soft cloth and apply a very thin layer to the surface, wiping 90-95% off. You want to leave a very thin, even layer.
Find out more about M. Graham’s Green Story and Environmental Commitment here.
Safety & Handling:
We recommend laying out your rags and towels in a single layer until dry. Once dried they can be disposed of.
