Paint pigment use

[J.M.]

I recently bought some natural paint pigments from Crazy Crow, to try to make some parfleche and to decorate some rawhide sheaths I made. I got the pigments, but they do not come with instructions on how to mix and use them. Can anyone tell me what to use to mix them (water, oil etc,) in what ratios and the best way to use the pigment? Also, what is the best way to seal it to protect it? Thanks!

 

[blacksmithshoppe]

I just use boiled linseed oil to carry the pigment, it will take a month to six weeks to dry but hang in there as it will dry. Mixing is a trial and error kind of thing, start mixing until you get the consistency you want to work with. You will need it thick enough to hold on to whatever you are painting without running off. As for storage I just keep it in a sealed container, a zip lock bag would work fine.
Jeff

 

[Harddog]

If you are going to use boiled linseed oil as suggested, go to the craft store or artist's supply and buy a small bottle of Japan Dryer. A little Japan dryer added to the linseed oil will make it dry much faster.

Randy Hedden

 

Rabbit skin glue can be bought at most art supply stores and is basically the same thing the old NDNZ used to size the pigment to rawhide or leather articles. Mix the dry pigment with the rabbit skin glue and paint it on using bone for an applicator. This is real general but you can research this and do it the old way if you care to go to the trouble to research it. Looks real great when you get it finished.