Cold Pressed Linseed Oil
Natural drying oil used as a traditional binder for grinding oil colours.
Has increased wetting power and imparts flexibility to paint films.
Made by crushing the flax seed under great pressure. Low yield of oil from the seed using this extraction method.
Removes the pronounced stroke to the brushmark, so that strokes of different directions and application do not show a marked ‘suede’ effect.
Constituents
Linseed Oil. Extracted from Flax seed (Linum Usitatissimum) using cold pressing method.
Product code:
001
Cold Pressed Linseed Oil Product Information
Product Application
Langridge Cold Pressed Linseed Oil is recommended for the grinding of oil colours. It may also be added to oil colours and oil mediums at the discretion of the artist.
Cold Pressed Linseed Oil has greater wetting power than refined linseed oils and is therefore recommended for hand milling of oil paints. In theory, a higher level of pigment can be mixed with cold pressed linseed oil than other oils. Cold pressed linseed oils create a flexible paint film longer than any other artists’ drying oil. For more information on the grinding of oil colours.
Cold Pressed Linseed Oil adds a loose, slippery quality when added to oil colours and mediums. It is recommended however, that the use of linseed oil, whether cold pressed or refined, should be used sparingly to extend oil colours as it is prone to yellowing more than other oils. If wishing to employ glazes or washes Langridge recommends the use of Stand Oil, a virtually non-yellowing oil as the basis for painting mediums.
The paint film will stay open and is easily moved or reworked for up to 24 hours.
Langridge Cold Pressed Linseed Oil should be considered a ‘fat’ medium. It should not to be excessively used in underpainting if oil colours with no additional medium are to be applied on top.
Dries to a gloss finish.
The Drying of linseed oil films
Linseed oil is the most widely used oil because when dry it forms the toughest, most resilient paint films.
Linseed, like all artists’ drying oils, harden by absorbing oxygen. As it oxidises, it also polymerizes at a molecular level being changed into a non-reversible film.
Apparent darkening of oil paintings kept in dark storage
When a painting has been stored for a period of time in darkness the artwork will darken. This can be reversed by re-exposure to sunlight. Exposure to sunlight will not reverse the long term effects of oil paint films darkening. Reversal of darkening takes between 3 months and a year depending on type of light exposure (natural, fluorescent, indirect). Do not over-expose artwork to excessive light for long periods of time as non-lightfast colours may fade.
Thinning
For best results thin with Distilled Gum Turpentine. However, Langridge Low Toxic Solvent Solvent or Solvent 75 may be substituted. Due to the lower solvency action of the latter solvents, an increase in ratio compared to turpentine may be required. Over-thinning with solvents can lead to the partial destruction of the paint film. Langridge recommends a dilution rate of no more than 30%.
Appearance
Langridge Cold Pressed Linseed Oil is a golden colour liquid with characteristic linseed odour.
The colour of the oil will slightly effect the oil colours with which it is mixed.
Clean Up
Clean brushes with any artists’ solvent (eg Gum Turpentine, Low Toxic Solvent, etc.).
For further washing apply a small quantity of Marseille or other pure olive oil soap and massage the bristles of the brush to release any remaining colour. Wash thoroughly in warm water. Leave to fully dry before using for oil colours.
Drying Times
12-24 hours to touch dry.
Full film drying 3-6 months