PRODUCT INFORMATION SHEET

oil Primer

Product Description

A traditional linseed oil based oil primer. Produces a high quality white surface with good tooth and flexibility for oil painting.

Product Code: 0025

Constituents: Refined Linseed Oil, Titanium Dioxide Pigment, Calcium Carbonate, Cobalt Octoate.

Product Application

Langridge Oil Primer needs further dilution for easy brushing out. Add Artists’ White Spirit to Oil Primer in proportions of 1:2 till a thin cream consistency is obtained. Oil Primer is supplied in a form that needs further dilution to prevent dropping out of the pigment whilst in storage. It is important not to use Langridge Oil Primer undiluted as the resulting film will be too fat and lacking proper tooth.

Because of a high titanium white pigment content, Langridge Oil Primer has excellent hiding power. Langridge recommends the application of two coats for a complete prime and for maximum brightness.

Before applying an oil primer the support must be ‘sized’ to reduce absorbancy. If over absorbant, the linseed oil in the primer will soak into the substrate leading to two major defects: The support, especially if canvas, will be acted upon by the oil, which is acidic, leading to embrittlement. The canvas can, in a short period of time, lose its’ flexibilty and start to crack, especially on stress points such as the edge of the stretcher frame. Secondly, the oil, having soaked into the substrate, will leave the primer underbound. There is not enough oil to completely bind the pigment, creating a priming ground that will draw oil from all oil colours applied on top. The primer, whether oil or acrylic, is the foundation of the whole painting. If the foundation is faulty all painting applied on top of it will be compromised.

After applying a sizing agent such as rabbit skin glue, gelatine size or diluted archival EVA the canvas fibres will have swelled due to the sizes’ water content. The swollen fibres will tend to give the surface a rough, abrasive surface. If wanting a smoother surface, lightlysand using a flat faced pumice stone. Pumice is less aggressive than commercial abrasive papers which have the potential to cut and weaken the canvas fibres. Once lightly sanded and wiped down with a dry cloth, proceed with the application of Oil Primer.

How to apply an oil primer to a canvas

Lay the painting flat, face up, on a table. Position it so you can see light reflected from its surface. Pour some primer into a clean bowl. Load the varnish brush, then squeeze it against the inside of the bowl so that it holds a minimumof primer. Begin application at the middle of the painting, brushing out the primer in all directions from the centre across the whole painting. Work methodically so that the surface receives as thinand even coating as pos- sible. Be sure all parts of the surface are receiving an equal coating. After the entire painting has been primed remove it from the table and lean the painting against a wall, face in, to finish drying. Dust in the air cannot settle on the surface of the painting leaning face in, but be careful not to stir up any dust in the vicinity of the painting. Discard any working primer left in the bowl. Working primer should be considered contaminated and should not be returned to the stock container.

ADDITIONAL PRODUCT INFORMATION

WORKING PROPERTIES

Thinning
For best results thin with Distilled Gum Turpentine. However, Artists White Spirit or Langridge Low Toxic Solvent may be substituted. The use of the latter solvents will tend to reduce the fatness of stroke and the oil film will dry with less richness due to the partial destruction of the paint film.

Appearance
Langridge Oil Primer is a white colour paste with characteristic linseed oil odour.

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
48 hours to touch dry. Any airflow over the surface will evaporate the solvent more rapidly which will reduce drying times
Full film drying 3-6 months

Available in:
500ml (0255), Litre (025L), 4 Litre (0254)