Alchemy at the Historic Colour Makers House
on the edge of the Lake District - 017683 53530

Oil Paint Recipe

1. Scoop a pile of pigment on your Palette.

2. Create a small hole at the top of the pile, like a volcano.

3. Add about 30% by volume of oil to the pigment or add drops of oil and start mixing. You can use a syringe or dropper to add oil or simply pour it carefully from the bottle. 

4. Mix the pigment and oil with your palette knife. 

5. Add more walnut oil as necessary until you reach the desired consistency for your paint – a thick creamy paste. 

6. To store your paint, transfer it onto aluminium foil, fold it up, and save it for your next masterpiece. 

Or put it in a small jar with a lid or scoop it into an empty aluminium paint tube. 

Note: All natural pigments absorb liquid differently and in different amounts; for example, green may need a lot more oil to make a thick paste than yellow. Add drops of oil and mix until a thick paste form – you don't want it too thin.