Concept · Two Paints

Two Binders

Oil paint is pigment in a drying oil, a plant oil that turns solid in air. Acrylic is pigment among tiny plastic droplets in water.

The droplets are less than a thousandth of a millimeter across. Binders in general: see Pigments and Materials.

• Linseed is the main paint oil; makers use safflower or poppy in whites because they yellow less.
• Oil paint holds few extras, such as driers; acrylic holds many, to keep the droplets apart, thicken the paint and stop mold.

See

• The Harvesters

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