Alkyd paints are essentially oil paints that have had most of the linseed oil replaced with alkyd resins. This gives them a much faster drying time, which allows the artist to apply glazes over previously painted surfaces on a daily basis – something that would take weeks with traditional oils.
Winsor & Newton first introduced it’s Griffin Alkyd in 1976. Since then, the medium has steadily grown in popularity among artists due to a unique combination of qualities, notably the rapid drying time as compared with traditional oil colors.
For artists who desire the rich color intensity of oil paint, but are frustrated with the slow drying time, I would highly recommend trying alkyds. The drying time for me is just right…much slower than water based mediums, such as acrylics and watercolors, but almost always ready to be glazed over the next day. And like traditional oil paint, they have excellent blending qualities, as well as the ability to be used for impasto effects.
I was first introduced to alkyds from an article I read in American Artist magazine in November of 2001, by Robert Dance, one of the most prominent painters in the alkyd medium. If you would like to know more about the medium, I would recommend visiting his website, www.robertbdance.com
Author: Jonathan Helsley
Mining City
Having lived in uptown Butte for awhile, I frequently found myself walking past an amazing array of historic buildings. This particular day I was gazing upward at the old Metals Bank sign, just as a modern commercial jet was flying over. The juxtaposition of the old with the new was striking. I believe that the defunct bank is now home to an excellent sports bar!
Picket Pin
This lake is high up in the Beartooth mountains. I’m inspired by the beauty and solitude of this place. I can’t believe I ever got my 1985 Plymouth station wagon up here! This is one of two lakes, an upper Picket Pin and a lower.
Northwest Quintessential
30″ x 18″ Alkyd on gessoed panel. Private collection.
One of my earliest works. I’ve spent a great part of my life driving truck, especially in the Pacific Northwest. I never drove a logging truck, but in that locale, you see a lot of them! (Maybe not as many now as in years gone by).
Riverbank
One of my preferred musing locales… sitting among Cottonwood trees along a river.
Jens Blues
One of the first paintings I did when I made the decision to get serious about art. A symbolic painting… Last thing I knew, a small child was here playing on a swing. Seems he forgot his coat. He was in such a hurry to grow up. Now it’s just a memory, like footprints in the snow, but there is no treasure greater than a fond memory.
Bitterroot Valley Cottonwood
One of my earliest works. A particular beautiful old Cottonwood tree stood out to me as I walked through Hieronymus Park in Hamilton, MT.