Seems that first attempt wasn’t uploaded well, so I’ll try again;
I tried to make medium from refined linseed oil, low viscosity bodied oil (45 poise) and canada balsam in proportions 60 % refined oil, 30 % bodied oil, 10 % canada balsam measured by volume. All three ingredients are clear and transparent, but as I mixed them, the mixture became cloudy. Here is the photo:01.jpg I’m not quite sure, but I suppose that it shouldn’t behave like that… I then let it sit and over following four weeks, sort of sediment formed in the bottle:02.jpg
At this point, I’m not sure whether it is usable… I’m certain, that this was caused by canada balsam; when I tried Kremer larch balsam instead of canada balsam with the same proportions (i.e. 60 % refined oil, 30 % bodied oil, 10 % larch balsam), the mixture remained clear. In both cases I mixed the ingredients in bottle placed in hot water.
Do you have any idea, what happened an why canada balsam behaves like this? What should I do to prevent it?
Ivan
First, I would be remiss if I did not mention the issues about adding soft reins to oil paint. Your 10% would likely cause few issues but please read the section on adding soft resins in ourMyths, FAQs, and Common Misconceptions section of our resources section.
Before assuming that your mixture is a failure, try the following. Caution, under no circumstances heat a mixture containing solvents (Canada balsam contains its natural essential oil and is flammable) under direct heat.
Keep your jar of turbid medium in one room. Get a disposable metal container that you can boil water in. In another room you heat to boiling in this container (make sure that there is enough water to partially submerge your container of medium but not so full as to get into the jar) BUT DO NOT PUT THE MEDIUM IN THE WATER ON THE HEAT SOURCE. After the water is boiling carefully move the container to another room and place the jar of medium in the water to warm. You should have the lid just placed on the top of the jar and not screwed on to avoid creating internal pressure.
This may or may not clarify the mixture. I have seen other mixtures behave like this and have remedied this using the same method. If the mixture clarifies but become turbid again after cooling I would not use the medium.
