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Question:
Hi Jill - I'm having a problem with an rc mural print I'm painting w/ an electric blue oil from Grumbacher. It's a pair of legs in pants on a white seamless. There's a slight shadow alongside one of the legs and I'm getting a yellow- orange halo within part of the shadow along the blue leg. I'm guessing it's the combination of the silver in the photo and whatever metal is in the paint. Strangely enough, I clean up with (excuse this) spit on a q-tip and it does seem to have some mitigating effect on it.

I've been hand-coloring for over a decade without this occurring, but I've just started using this color (it's also occurring with an orange and a violet and I'm imagining it's going to turn out they all have the same metal in them).

What is your experience with this? And what do you recommend to seal an rc photograph if one would choose to before painting? Are there specific paint recipes you avoid? Thanks - Cali

Answer:
Hi Cali - I have never used "electric blue" paint. I have always stayed clear of paints with metals in them. When I go to the paint stores I look on the company lists and only get the most pure colors - the ones with the most pigments and the most archival ratings. Each company has print-outs with their own codes, so you might need to ask for help in how to decipher them. Then pick the colors that have the best staying power. I tend to mix a lot of colors myself so that I can get some of the stronger colors by using pure pigments. Also - about sealing paper...I just paint directly onto the surface. I do not put anything down first - or last. I also use turpenoid (a safer turpentine) to clean up messy spots. I use very little so that I do not have big splotches or an oily mess when I am done. i will also go over the area that I have cleaned with a clean - dry piece of cotton or q-tip to pick up any access turpenoid. If your paper has been fixed and washed correctly and you are using good quality paints, then you should have no problems. I hope this helps.

All the best,
Jill