paint mixtures

Danny · #1 01-17-2005, 04:40 PM

I'm a decoy and bird carver.When I see directions on mixing colors they usually give percentages of each color.Which is the best or accurate way of doing this so that particular color can be repeated at a later time?

Hugh · #2 01-17-2005, 05:26 PM

Danny, I have painted for quite a few years, and to repeat a mix, is very difficult, if not impossible. My system for mixing paint, is to mix enough to do the job, and mix extra. After I mix my paint, I store it in film canisters, with the top on, I work from the cannister and use a piece of glass with a white cloth under it for a pallett. With the cover on the cannister and a little retarder added, you can keep it for quite awhile, certainly for as long as your painting your carving. Having said all of this, I see postings about measuring paint with an eye dropper, drop by drop sounds painstaking, but I sounds like it could be an accurate way to measure the paint. It is my opinion that the paint mix given for a particular application is approximate at best, and is meant more for a guide than for an exact mix. Good reference is the key to mixing your colours. Hope this helps

Cut_Fingers · #3 01-17-2005, 05:27 PM

Danny - look under the forum "Animal & Bird carving" & see the thread "New Demo for Bird carving" or something like that. It may address your question.

Danny · #4 01-18-2005, 07:02 PM

Thanks for the reply.I'm going to get some retarder and use it in the paint mix.What I would like to find is how do you physically make up a mix such as 70/30? I read that you can make up the different ratios by using the paint in the size of chocolate chips.Such as 7 of one color and 3 of the other.This is fine only if the paints are by the same manufacturer and the tubes are the same size.I'm wondering if there are any other methods?

Nancy_G · #5 01-18-2005, 07:35 PM

Danny - no matter the size of the paint tube or the brand, couldn't you squirt out 7 "blobs" the size of a chocolate chip (or chocolate kiss) of one color..... then 3 "blobs" the same size of the next color? Scoop all 10 blobs (100%) up with a pallet knife, popcicle stick, anything and mix together in a film canister or tiny Tupperware container. Mix in the retarder and you're ready.

Nancy_G · #6 01-18-2005, 07:37 PM

However ----- Brand name colors DO vary, can even vary widely. What one brand calls (for example) "Raw Sienna" sure is not an exact match for another company's "Raw Sienna". If you're looking for exact matches you do need to stick with the brand name the pattern maker is talking about.

Plain_Ol_Ed · #7 01-18-2005, 08:18 PM

My guess is, your pursuing an impossible dream. Even the manufacturers can't get the same consistent color from batch to batch. Mother nature doesn't do any better. Go out a shoot two of any bird or animal of your choice, Lay them down side by side and carefully compare colors. They're not the same, close, but not the same. I guess what I'm tgrying to say is, get as close as you can, and be happy because you did just as good a job as nature.

jamesfa · #8 01-18-2005, 09:08 PM

i started to add my 2 cents but realized the paint and paint mixing is a complicated subject.if you read the tutorial that was mentioned you'll realize that the author devoted 13 pages to painting black.
Hugh suggestion of using a piece of glass over a white background is something i have seen many bird carvers do.if they are trying to duplicate a certain color they will slip a sample under the glass and mix until they have the desired mix.

i have some notes somewhere from a seminar i attended on painting if i can find them i'll let you know and i can try get you some copies.

Frank

Danny · #9 01-19-2005, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Plain_Ol_Ed

My guess is, your pursuing an impossible dream. Even the manufacturers can't get the same consistent color from batch to batch. Mother nature doesn't do any better. Go out a shoot two of any bird or animal of your choice, Lay them down side by side and carefully compare colors. They're not the same, close, but not the same. I guess what I'm tgrying to say is, get as close as you can, and be happy because you did just as good a job as nature.

Ed,
I had to smile when you suggested that I go out and shoot some birds.I live in northern New jersey and I just can't do that.I know that Ernie Muehlmatt said that what ever your bird looks like ,that some where in this world there is a bird that looks just like that.
What I have been trying to do is keep a note book with a record of the paint mix that I use with a patch of the paint on the page.
I was just looking to see what other carvers are doing.I appreciate all the replys.Thanks again ,Dan

Danny · #10 01-19-2005, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nancy_G

Danny - no matter the size of the paint tube or the brand, couldn't you squirt out 7 "blobs" the size of a chocolate chip (or chocolate kiss) of one color..... then 3 "blobs" the same size of the next color? Scoop all 10 blobs (100%) up with a pallet knife, popcicle stick, anything and mix together in a film canister or tiny Tupperware container. Mix in the retarder and you're ready.

That's what I've been doing.I just wanted to see if there was another technique.I haven't been using retarder but now I will.
Thank you for the reply,Dan