What kind of tube oils for decoys?

Mark Vanderhoof

Mark Vanderhoof

Active member
hi guys, im considering switching over to oil paint for my decoys. i have no experience with tube oils. is there a certain type or brand you recommend? i plan to use rustoleum white and black, some FME and tubes to mix up colors. any advice you have would be appreciated. thanks, mark
 
HI Mark miss you and all my friends here. What I have done over the years is start with flat rustoleum white and black as base or base coats. ( ooh wait I always sealed cork or wood with quality spar varnish than several thin coats of gesso than finish with acrylic or oil) Any artist oil can be used or have larger amounts mixed at hardware store if doing a large amount say can head color. Mixing and blending will be a breeze the tradeoff is that it will be days to dry depending on how thick is the paint. Many professional carvers use ronan rather than tube colors. I have always preferred using oils for my decoys that I expect to see hard real life use. Hope to see some of what you have been up to.
 
I use Ronan to block in the colors after priming/sealing with thinned linseed oil. I've used Windsor Newton Griffin Alkyd (Fast Drying) and Old Holland tube oils. I've tried Gamblin oils in the past, but found that the paint has some sort of wax additive that left a sheen on the finish. Try the Windsor Newton Griffin stuff and maybe a few Old Holland colors to see how you like them. You can usually find OH tubes on ebay for cheaper.


Best,
Nate Grace
 
I like Williamsburg and Daniel Smith for my finish coat. Ronan primer coat and Gamblin for my base coat.
 
Hi Mark,
I use the flat Rustoleum for base colors and Grumbachers Pre-Tested tubes. Even if you paint a little fat the oils will dry to the touch in a day or two. I like to use the Daniel Smith Painting Medium for oils and alkyds because it's in a tube and helped me with mix proportions when I first started. Once you get used to the oils you will find painting is much more relaxed and enjoyable.
Good luck, John
 
Can anyone tell me how guys like Geoff Vine manage to have zero brush marks in their paint? Is it just proper thinning and brushes or is the brand of paint?
 
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