[Squint]

Any suggestions on how and how much to thin alkyd paints.

Squint

[mark yundt]

I believe most of them thin with mineral spirits,,or turps. Naptha will also do most Oil/alkyd paints. Not sure what your doing so I can't really suggest how much to thin it.(spray,,brush,,wash etc.) Get it to the point where it has the consistency you are looking for and give it a test...let it dry and see how it works for you.

[Squint]

Thank you Mark. I sure did leave a lot out in my question. I did pick up a bottle of paint thinner that does't have too much of a smell.I am painting a Parula warbler and using brushes. I am not sure if I should mix in small plastic containers or use a pallet.
Squint

[mark yundt]

Well..your choice really.If you think you can paint it at one sitting a pallet will work fine,,that way you can keep adjusting the colors and blending as you go.If you can't finish it all at once,,keep some of the primary colors you are using ,assuming you have mixed some special colors,and keep some in containers so you don't have to hunt for that color again.Oils and alkyds are nice in that respect,,when they dry they generally keep the same color as when they were wet,,whereas with some water based,,the dry paint doesn't really match the wet color you are mixing and it can be tougher to get a perfect match at a later date.

What I have done is make the proper color,,put it in a small bottle and just put what you need on a pallet as you are applying paint.You can thin and mix right on the pallet,,apply to the bird,,and you're good to go. I'm sure you are aware that birds aren't a constant color.There are changes in values tones and hues as the color spreads across the bird,,and transitions into other colors as well.Premixing the main colors goes a long way to solving these problems.
I haven't painted birds using alkyds,,though it probably won't be too much different than the artists oils I have used,,but completly different than the water based I generally use. The oil based is really nice for birds as it gives you plenty of blending time and good control of really thin "wash" type coats.
I've got plenty of "one other things" to offer. To hold the bird while painting I would epoxy a small screw in the end of a dowel,,say a half inch one,,and screw the bird on to this holding stick through one of the leg holes. Don't know how yours is,,but it's something to consider. A wet piece is hard to hold or put down,,this way you can just stick it in a mug or something as it's drying,you take a break or mix/open more paint.

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

the nice thing about oils, is you can put a damp paper towel over the paints on your pallet and put it in the refrigerator.....will be good to use the next day.

[Just Carving]

Just curious, what is the drying time of oil paints in comparison to craft store acrylic paints? If I'm in a hurry, will a blow dryer speed up the drying time of oil paints?

[Squint]

Hi Just Carving
I am comparitively new at painting but from what I have read Alkyd will dry in days rather than weeks with artist oils.A hair or blow dryer will hasten the drying time but I have no idea how fast. I have painted with acrylics but these old fingers do not work fast enough. --Squint

[Squint]

Thank you guys for your input. I have learned a lot in just the nfew days I have been on the board. I have been a subscriber to Carving Ill. for about 5 years and have all but a few copies. Squint

[mark yundt]

Well,,it'll depend somewhat on how much you thin the paints,,but I think the alkyds should dry even faster than what you anticipate.

Yes,,oils do take some time,,but with thin coats,,and on wood,,much of the oil is drawn out fairly quickly. Drying agents can also be added to speed it along as well.Consider an oil based wood stain,,they dry pretty quick.Some paints are near that consistency when used.
Acrylics seem to dry as you're using them at times. Depends on the heat an humidity. Some pro bird carvers actually have painting rooms to control these factors...climate control! But you can use mediums to extend the drying times of acrylics making them act more like an oil paint. One other thing,,some paints have different drying times,,or it seems so to me. Some of the craft type paints flash quickly. Maybe that 's because of the nature of their use.But artist types seem to give you a bit more time to play. Maybe they just have a bit more medium mixed in at the factory.