Left – Fumed Silica Gel mixed with linseed oil
Second from Left – Red Iron Oxide mixed with linseed
Second from Right – Red Iron Oxide mixed with Fumed Silica Gel
Far Right – Fumed Silica Gel dry
There are basically two ways to paint with oil paints. One is oil only, and the other is using solvents. These days many people are rejecting the strong odors of solvents such as turpentine and other varnishes. Many have developed allergies. The smells can sometimes be overpowering in a studio unless you have a good ventilation system. Because this medium is mixed only with oil, there is virtually no odor.
Fumed Silica Gel is a medium that is new to me, and after putting my mad scientist to work experimenting with it, I find it quite splendid. It is an absolutely weightless
dry powder and must be handled with great care. As you can see from the image above, just by moving my sample across the room to the window for photography, the powder shifted across the paper effortlessly. A good respirator must be used until it is suspended in the linseed oil.
The powder is made at very high temperatures and has the same properties as quartz. The medium is made by simply mixing with linseed or any other drying oil and will instantly create a gel and can be used right away. It is best to use as little as possible for your desired effect as you mix it into your colors. It has a similar feel and look to the popular mastic gels, but without the solvents and resulting stickiness.
Have any of you tried this medium? What were your results?
I haven’t tried it but I’ll look forward to doing so.
I love to read about your experiments but I have to say you work with a lot of dangerous materials! (Do you like to live on the edge? : ) (that was a smiley!) I love the natural resources. I like to dye with natural dyes. May I ask if you have had any health problems? I have Lupus and would be too sensitive to a lot of these things but would still try some with protectants.
I’m reading these articles. I’m a bit clueless about pigments to be honest but it is good reading this stuff..when i have extraa cash maybe I’ll try more of them out in the future. Oh, and that pomegranate looks VERY nice.
I’m glad that you have shared your experience with the silica gel. Your effects have been great and as a medium it appears to suit your personal style well. I like the silica gels too and mixed with paint they perform well. My concern is that they yellow in experiments where I have just painted out clear samples over a white ground. Again, in color mixes, this is negligible… far less than say, amber mediums. Do you have a thought on this?
Also, I suspect that fumed silica is a component of some of the commercial alkyd resins like Liquin or Gamblin’s products. His Neo Megilp was good, better than Liquin.
Natural Pigments Oleogel is the clearest and so far, nobody has mentioned any yellowing.
Please share more.
Where can I purchase fummed silica gel?
Hello Sander! So nice to hear from you again. Yes, I do like the silica gel. It performs nicely and when brushed onto the canvas it slides smoothly, but quickly developes a “tack” or “drag” on the brush. This makes a perfect surface for pulling colors together and adding paint in a wet on wet fashion. It also has a good open time throughout the painting session. I have not experienced any noticeable yellowing. Keep us all informed of your great experiments. Love hearing about them.