Mixing two products to make something better

Creating and maintaining a blog was something I never considered and yet with every art project that I unravel and complete; I learn so much about new products and even old ones that I reinvent to use in unorthodox ways just to solve some creative problem.

I'll begin with the central element of my art business: Water-based oil paints. I've only been able to locate one manufacturer (Windsor Newton) and this product line has become the backbone of my artistic career.

I was a serious and long time user of artist oil paints and it was a fellow artist and friend who suggested I switch over in 2004. I was invited back to participate in the 2005 International Trompe-l'oeil Festival in Lodi, Italy and needed to transport my paints and brushes. This was post 9-11 and flying overseas with oil paints and solvents just wasn't going to work so I needed an alternative quickly!My friend suggested water-based oil paints and after testing them I was pleased with the quality and consistency but there was one serious drawback. The dry time took forever...seemingly longer than with traditional oil paints.

The Italian Festival was also a painting competition of three timed trial days to produce your best art piece and I had no time to waste with a product that wouldn't dry.So, I used my 'maverick' sense and mixed the water-based oil paint with Benjamin Moore's latex glazing liquid. It worked like a miracle. The latex glazing liquid accelerates the dry time sufficiently without compromising the qualities of the paint. Obviously the more glazing liquid you add the thinner the density becomes - for wonderful glaze work. Or simply just a little to speed up an opaque color layer. Afterwards...a clear application of the glazing liquid makes for a nice varnish top coat. I've also learned that both products not only 'pair well' but dry with a wonderful flexibility. My original art at the Festival was on a large canvas that was rolled up and flown home to Chicago. I have since unrolled and hung the canvas up to not only admire my art but to continue to evaluate the pairing of these two unwitting products. It works like a charm!   (http://www.coggart.com/lodi05.html)

Since 2004...all of my art projects have been rendered with this coupling. I've also used Behrs Latex Glazing Liquid with my Windsor Newton water based oils. Consistently achieving exactly the same positive results. Quick dry time, extremely durable finish and unaltered quality in pigment tonality.