Being more engaged with the materials is key to getting good results. We really like that this encourages artists to investigate and modify their materials rather than allowing the paint to dictate their process. We asked the Utrecht Art Supplies team a little bit about "student grade" paint. They said what makes a "student grade" paint is that aluminum stearate, the ingredient normally used as a stabilizer, is added in higher proportion so that a workable paste can be made with less expensive ingredients. Stearate is a common stabilizer added to oil paints, in very small amounts to minimize oil separation in storage. The cost savings in student grade paint comes at the expense of pigment; less of the colorful, solid component is used, and filler is added to "gel" up what otherwise would be a runny paint. The Utrecht team said that conservative use of stand oil is a great suggestion for improving handling, since stearate makes paint "short" like butter. For artists who don't have dry pigments handy to increase color strength, the Utrecht team said instead, pigment-poor paint can be blotted on cardboard or paper to increase the proportion of solids- the volume of paint will reduce, but it will be more concentrated, and then stand oil or linseed can be added to make a nice body without diluting color too much.
Yes! You brought up some more materials and techniques that I introduce to my in person students! I appreciate the thoughtful and informative comment, and I will be sure to make more videos on the topic. You’re one of my go-to sources for artist materials! 🙏
I’ve been using Blick for years. They’re great. When an art supply company is willing to provide you information and research about the products they serve, it is a great sign. It’s not required, but it says a lot about the integrity of the company.
I would agree. My core thesis with these tips is to encourage students to experience how they can improve their paint. When it’s just oil and pigment, it’s a whole new world of painting! If one were to purchase pigment to try my tips, and experience how more highly pigmented paint can really change the game, I’d hope they would just try making their own paint. I mean, you’ve already got the pigment, right? :) Thanks for the comment!
Please…EVERYONE. Purchase a white/yellow/blue/red/ochre of quality paint. Learn to mix and take it from there. The difference in student/artist grade oils can be drastic.
I always encourage my students that they should use the best materials available. Students are not always ready for this conversation. Manipulating paint with just pigment and oil is often something they can easily understand, and most importantly, it’s the best way to paint. If a student can experience these benefits, it enables them to understand why better materials are worth it. I will be elaborating on this topic in future videos. You are sometimes right that the difference between artist grade and student grade paint can be drastic. Honestly, that is entirely dependent upon which brands you are discussing. On the whole, commercial paint [both student and artist grade] utilize additives, extender pigments, stabilizers, and/or less expensive pigments to correct for mineral wobble. These forms of fillers service a myriad of complicated problems for large scale commercial paint distribution, and there are a very select few companies that actually avoid these unnecessary measures with their paint.
There are two palette knives being used here. I have a variety of brands that I use but here are what use: Palette Knife #10 (beginning of video) www.dickblick.com/items/liquitex-painting-knife-small-number-10-/ Palette Knife #16 (middle of video) www.dickblick.com/items/liquitex-painting-knife-small-number-16-/
Generally speaking, every paint manufacture is sincerely doing their best to make a product that serves the broader population well. Student grade paint, however, does has high(er) levels of additives and weaker tinting strength. I made another video about this showing some tinting strength comparisons if you’re interested. ruclips.net/video/5HwvhWZS0zU/видео.html Thanks for the comment.🙂
Good question. Students often have a hard time mentally justifying the cost difference when they are brand new to painting. This video is designed to help art students get as much mileage out of their student grade paint as possible and open their eyes up to better paint for future purchases. This question does give me an idea for another video… Thanks for the comment!
The materials are the cost of entry to this game. Price and quality don’t always align the way one thinks it should, but regardless, there are always relatively inexpensive options available.
Being more engaged with the materials is key to getting good results. We really like that this encourages artists to investigate and modify their materials rather than allowing the paint to dictate their process. We asked the Utrecht Art Supplies team a little bit about "student grade" paint. They said what makes a "student grade" paint is that aluminum stearate, the ingredient normally used as a stabilizer, is added in higher proportion so that a workable paste can be made with less expensive ingredients. Stearate is a common stabilizer added to oil paints, in very small amounts to minimize oil separation in storage. The cost savings in student grade paint comes at the expense of pigment; less of the colorful, solid component is used, and filler is added to "gel" up what otherwise would be a runny paint. The Utrecht team said that conservative use of stand oil is a great suggestion for improving handling, since stearate makes paint "short" like butter. For artists who don't have dry pigments handy to increase color strength, the Utrecht team said instead, pigment-poor paint can be blotted on cardboard or paper to increase the proportion of solids- the volume of paint will reduce, but it will be more concentrated, and then stand oil or linseed can be added to make a nice body without diluting color too much.
Yes! You brought up some more materials and techniques that I introduce to my in person students! I appreciate the thoughtful and informative comment, and I will be sure to make more videos on the topic.
You’re one of my go-to sources for artist materials! 🙏
well its super super cool that blick itself is here to comment
I’ve been using Blick for years. They’re great. When an art supply company is willing to provide you information and research about the products they serve, it is a great sign. It’s not required, but it says a lot about the integrity of the company.
No nonsense. Straight-forward. Great tips.
🙏
Great tips. Your videos are kicking ass.
Thanks, my friend. I learned from the best.
Good video! Though for the cost of student grade paint and dry pigment, you can just get better paint
I would agree. My core thesis with these tips is to encourage students to experience how they can improve their paint. When it’s just oil and pigment, it’s a whole new world of painting!
If one were to purchase pigment to try my tips, and experience how more highly pigmented paint can really change the game, I’d hope they would just try making their own paint. I mean, you’ve already got the pigment, right? :)
Thanks for the comment!
Please…EVERYONE.
Purchase a white/yellow/blue/red/ochre of quality paint. Learn to mix and take it from there. The difference in student/artist grade oils can be drastic.
I always encourage my students that they should use the best materials available. Students are not always ready for this conversation. Manipulating paint with just pigment and oil is often something they can easily understand, and most importantly, it’s the best way to paint. If a student can experience these benefits, it enables them to understand why better materials are worth it. I will be elaborating on this topic in future videos.
You are sometimes right that the difference between artist grade and student grade paint can be drastic. Honestly, that is entirely dependent upon which brands you are discussing. On the whole, commercial paint [both student and artist grade] utilize additives, extender pigments, stabilizers, and/or less expensive pigments to correct for mineral wobble. These forms of fillers service a myriad of complicated problems for large scale commercial paint distribution, and there are a very select few companies that actually avoid these unnecessary measures with their paint.
That’s a nice palette knife….can we get a link or brand name?
There are two palette knives being used here. I have a variety of brands that I use but here are what use:
Palette Knife #10 (beginning of video)
www.dickblick.com/items/liquitex-painting-knife-small-number-10-/
Palette Knife #16 (middle of video)
www.dickblick.com/items/liquitex-painting-knife-small-number-16-/
@@OilandEarthStudio thank you! i missed these replies before,
Glad to be helpful 😊
please tell me winsor and newton isnt student grade...
Winsor & Newton is a professional grade oil paint. Winton is their student grade line.
@@OilandEarthStudio I always knew newton was the guy i could count on
I don't know, in my experience, Gamblin 1980 is easily as good as some artist grade brands...
Generally speaking, every paint manufacture is sincerely doing their best to make a product that serves the broader population well. Student grade paint, however, does has high(er) levels of additives and weaker tinting strength. I made another video about this showing some tinting strength comparisons if you’re interested.
ruclips.net/video/5HwvhWZS0zU/видео.html
Thanks for the comment.🙂
Why not buying professional color in the beginning?
Good question. Students often have a hard time mentally justifying the cost difference when they are brand new to painting. This video is designed to help art students get as much mileage out of their student grade paint as possible and open their eyes up to better paint for future purchases. This question does give me an idea for another video…
Thanks for the comment!
They are not inexpensive!! Even student grade paint is expensive these days😂
The materials are the cost of entry to this game. Price and quality don’t always align the way one thinks it should, but regardless, there are always relatively inexpensive options available.