Grinding Your Own Oil Paint

Gr 9 Up—This is an excellent introduction to the topic. Organized by chapters, the program covers materials and tools, safety issues, an overview of and specific procedures for grinding five different paints. Host Sharyn Pak Withers speaks slowly and clearly, with pacing that allows for following along or pausing. Unfamiliar terms, such as "polymerization," are displayed on the screen as Withers explains them in detail. She encourages viewers to record processes on a recipe form available to download from the DVD or on the distributor's website. Throughout, Withers demonstrates the importance of writing down your processes, as it can help make future paint grinding more efficient and help viewers achieve consistent colors and textures. It is especially useful when determining how many drops of oil to use, although environmental factors, such as humidity, also play a role. There are a series of "Did you know?" segments that include interesting facts about oil paints—Did you know pig bladders were primitive containers used to store paint? Not only does Withers show how to store paint in a tube and seal it with pliers, she explains why tubes are superior to jars (less oxygen to dry out paints). After an initial investment in supplies, Withers maintains that grinding your own oil paint is actually less expensive than purchasing it in an art store. This DVD will appeal to painters looking for more control over pigments and textures or those who are not afraid to roll up their sleeves to save money in the long run.—April Everett, Rowan Public Library, Salisbury, NC