Learning to Mix Pigments and Solvents
Solvents, oil resin and pigments mixed together makes paint. The formula is generally twice as much pigment as solvent and resin. The finely ground mineral pigments do not dissolve in liquid, but float in the resin and solvent. If you want white paint, you mix powdered titanium dioxide with resin and solvent until the desired shade and viscosity are reached. This is called an oil colloid and is the primer base for any number of tints you can make.
Different Minerals Make Different Shades
There are different minerals that make other shades. Iron oxide is reddish orange, chromium oxide is blue; when combined they make any number of purple shades. Added to the original white primer base, they will tint the paint. The more you add, the darker the shade.
There are extenders that can be added to paint, including chalk and silicates. Once a batch is made to your satisfaction, you will need to keep a careful recipe of exact measurements in case you want to replicate the batch. Bear in mind that homemade paint is nothing like professional paint because most home labs do not have the professional equipment to smooth and combine the minerals and solvents properly.
Mixing Acrylic Binders
Acrylic paint requires a slightly different method of combining. For a small amount, mix the paint on a piece of glass. Use a handful of pigment and pour enough water into it to make a stiff paste. Use a grinding muller to crush the mixture into a thin blend the consistency of cream. As you work the blend, add a little more water to make the correct consistency. Use the palette knife to scrape the mixture into a heap and keep working the muller until the mixture is smooth and glossy with no grains left.
When the mixture is completely smooth, add it to acrylic binder at the ratio of twice as much pigment as binder. Mix thoroughly until the pigment is suspended in the acrylic colloid. The acrylic binder has the effect of gluing each bit of pigment into the suspension so it will not separate.
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