Yes, you can use linseed oil intended for wood finishing in oil painting, but it's generally not recommended and here's why:
Why Artist-Grade Linseed Oil is Preferred
Artist-grade linseed oil is specifically refined and processed for use with oil paints. This process aims to:
- Control Drying Time: Artist-grade oils often have additives or processes that affect the drying time (e.g., stand oil, sun-thickened oil). Wood linseed oil doesn't have this level of control, potentially leading to very slow drying.
- Improve Flow and Leveling: The viscosity of artist-grade oil is optimized for blending and creating smooth surfaces in paintings. Wood finishing oil may be too thick or thin.
- Reduce Yellowing: Artist-grade oils undergo processes to minimize yellowing over time, which is a natural characteristic of linseed oil. Wood linseed oil might yellow more significantly.
- Remove Impurities: Artist-grade oils are purified to remove any impurities that could negatively affect the longevity and stability of the paint film. Wood finishing oils may contain additives unsuitable for archival artwork.
Potential Issues with Wood Linseed Oil
Here's a breakdown of the problems you might encounter:
| Issue | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Slow Drying | Linseed oil already has a long drying time. Wood linseed oil may not contain the additives found in artist-grade oil to slightly accelerate this, so you risk your paintings taking much longer to dry fully. |
| Excessive Yellowing | Wood linseed oil often yellows significantly more than artist-grade alternatives. This can alter the colors of your painting over time. |
| Impurities/Additives | Wood linseed oil might contain additives to help with its application on wood (e.g., driers, varnishes) that are not suitable for oil painting and may cause issues with the paint film's stability. |
| Poor Film Formation | The oil may not form a strong, flexible paint film, leading to cracking or other issues down the line. |
In Summary
While technically possible, using wood linseed oil for oil painting is generally discouraged due to potential problems with drying time, yellowing, long-term stability, and the presence of unwanted additives. Artist-grade linseed oil is refined to avoid these issues and ensure the longevity of your artwork. For best results, stick to products specifically designed for oil painting.
