Arts >> Art >> Art Supplies

How to Make Oil Varnish

An oil vanish is used by artists to provide a transparent protective finish for their work. For years, linseed and tung oil were used for the curing oils and natural resins like pine and gum were added along with solvents like gum turpentine and mineral spirits for thinning purposes. Today, the first step is to make a basic damar concentrate, to which linseed oil and pure turpentine are added to achieve the final oil varnish.

Things You'll Need

  • Damar crystals
  • Pure gum turpentine
  • Cheesecloth
  • String
  • 2 wide-mouth glass jars with lids - 1 quart
  • Boiled linseed oil
  • Wood stir stick
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Lay a double thickness of cheesecloth on a flat surface.

    • 2

      Place 1 lb. damar crystals on the cheesecloth. Pull up the edges, making a bag, and tie securely with string.

    • 3

      Fill a wide-mouth glass jar with 1 quart of pure gum turpentine. Set the cheesecloth with the damar crystals into the turpentine. Put the jar lid in place and secure tightly.

    • 4

      Wait 3 days for the crystals to completely dissolve, slowly moving the bag around in the turpentine each day to speed up the dissolving process.

    • 5

      Remove the cheesecloth bag, containing any remaining residue, from the jar and discard.

    • 6

      Pour damar concentrate mixture carefully through a double layer of cheese cloth into another wide-mouth jar, filtering out any remaining impurities. The solution should be the consistency of honey. If it is not thick enough, set the jar aside, without a lid, in a well-ventilated area until more turpentine evaporates.

    • 7

      Add 1 part of the damar concentrate to 1 part boiled linseed oil and 1 part pure gum turpentine. Combine ingredients thoroughly using a wood stir stick.

Art Supplies

Related Categories