Notes on thinning Linseed Paint
On the past several projects I have done with Linseed paint, I have been alternately thinning my paint with mineral spirits and Allback brand linseed oil. The batches I have thinned with linseed paint have all dried to an uneven sheen, with some random patches of the paint reflecting light differently than the rest of the piece. I have yet to have this happen to me with linseed oil-thinned linseed paint, but I have not experimented with the paint enough to be confident that it will resist flashing with only a single coat. Thus far, I have started with by thinning my first coat and then applying an undiluted second coat.
Lost Art Press recently published a piece describing the exact same experience when thinning with mineral spirits. The chronicle of their transition from milk paint to linseed paint has been a useful resource, and it was encouraging to find that this problem was not unique to my experience. I have several more linseed paint projects coming up: a stool, a cupboard, and an end table. I will keep notes of the process and write about the results in a future post.
