FAQs

By: Genesis Artists Supplies Pty Ltd

How do I clean up?

 

Palette: Remove the paint with a palette knife or spatula. Then use a window cleaner or alcohol and soft cloth to wipe the glass clean.

 

Hands: Soap and water.

 

Clothing: Wash as normal. Applying some spot cleaner, pre-wash, or dish soap directly on the paint spot usually removes all of the stain. After the paint is heated into clothing, however, it does not wash out.

 

Brushes: Many artists don’t clean brushes; it is not necessary if you paint with the same colours! Soap and water, rubbing alcohol or solvents such as mineral spirits can be used.

 

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What medium do I use with it?

 

Genesis® Oil Paints have many properties inherent in the chemistry that allow them to be used without traditional mediums. Genesis® Thinning, Glazing and Thick mediums can be used to alter the performance of Genesis® Oil Paints. Most traditional mediums are not needed with Genesis® Oil Paints and many are not chemically compatible.

 

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What is the price for a full system? How much are individual colours?

 

Genesis® paints typically retail at prices similar to other artist-grade paints. Because they don’t dry on your palette, there is little waste–a very substantial part of the "cost" of other paints.

 

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How is it for travelling? How do I dry it in the field? What kind of electricity do I need for drying?

 

Genesis® Oil Paints work well for travelling because the systems are designed for portability. Drying systems are available for a 240-volt electrical service. For field work, you may be interested in a portable generator, found here on our products page.

 

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When transporting a Genesis® Studio Box, will the jars fall out of the trays?

 

The jars fit snugly in the trays and won’t come out under normal use. If the Genesis® Studio Box stands on end or upside down, the jars may dislodge. Put the lids back on for travel and place bubble wrap or similar filler between the jars and the top of the box to hold them in place for extensive travel. Studio Boxes are not designed for airport baggage handling.

 

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Will Genesis® Oil Paints work on acrylic gesso? Do they work on wood?

 

Applying Genesis® Oil Paints to acrylic surfaces works well. Genesis® Oil Paints work well with primed hardboard surfaces. Abrasion and proper drying are required. Some hardboard performs better than others and adhesion varies with board quality. Genesis® Oil Paints work well on most primed woods.

 

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Can I mix it with oils?

 

No. We have not found an oil that mixes with Genesis® Oil Paints.

 

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Can I mix it with acrylics?

 

No. As with oils, we have not found an acrylic that mixes with Genesis® Oil Paints.

 

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Is it water soluble? Is it water or solvent based?

 

Genesis® Oil Paints are neither water nor solvent based, but solvents may be used to thin and clean. They are only water soluble with soap and water for clean up.

 

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I like to paint on a large surface - 6' x 6'. How do I dry it?

 

You can choose to work with the Genesis® Drying Gun, although it will take a long time to dry a large surface. A radiant heater is recommended to dry a large canvas, call us to discuss the process.

 

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Do I have to use solvents? What solvent is required for cleaning brushes?

 

No solvent is required. You can use various Genesis® Mediums to alter the flow characteristics. Rubbing alcohol is an excellent cleaner, or warm water and soap such as Dawn® dishwashing detergent. Of course, it is not mandatory to clean brushes because the paint won’t dry on them.

 

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I am allergic to solvents - Can I use Genesis® Oil Paints?

 

Yes because there are no solvents in Genesis® Oil Paints.

 

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What kind of canvas can I use?

 

Primed cotton or linen.

 

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Is it archival?

 

The carrying medium and pigments were developed to give Genesis® Oil Paints strong archival qualities.

 

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Is it lightfast? What are the lightfastness ratings?

 

Pigments are selected for their very high lightfastness ratings.

 

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If I get primaries and secondaries, can I mix all of the colours myself?

 

Yes. All of the line is available in single colours, as well as in colour systems.

 

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How long does it take to dry?

 

Usually minutes. Actual drying time depends on the thickness of the paint and the surface on which it is applied.

 

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What is the difference between Genesis® Oil Paints and alkyds or water-miscible oil paints?

 

The basic nature of the paint is different. Genesis® Oil Paints use a non-drying base medium The others are based on different chemistries that require various amounts of evaporative drying.

 

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Is the Genesis® Drying Gun safe to use as a hair dryer?

 

No! The drying gun emits considerably hotter air that a hair dryer.

 

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How can I get a full Genesis® Studio System?

 

Buy one of the complete systems or purchase individual components to grow your system over time.

 

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After drying, are Genesis® Oil Paints soluble in appropriate solvents?

 

The drying process is not reversible. Some solvents will dissolve Genesis® Oil Paints, but they cannot be re-dried later.

 

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To what does it adhere strongly? Are there supports - or undercoats - to which adhesion is poor?

 

As with most paints, Genesis® Oil Paints adhere best with a primed substrate. Prepare smooth surfaces with an abrasion to maximize adhesion. See your manual for details.

 

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How can I describe the medium to jurors and customers? How do I classify it when entering a show?

 

Genesis® Oil Paints are a new type of paint known as "heat-set artist oils". For jury purposes, artists simply classify them as oils.

 

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Can I use a Genesis® Drying Gun on a large canvas?

 

Yes, but it will take some time. The Drying Gun is especially useful for drying small er areas of a large canvas without drying the whole surface. Some artists prefer the Drying Gun even for larger works because they dry their work as they go. You may prefer a full-canvas Genesis® Drying Box that dries the complete canvas at one time. Refer to the drying instructions section of the Genesis Oil Paints instructions for more details.

 

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Why is it sold in jars rather than tubes?

 

Tubes are required for paints that dry when exposed to the air. Often, it is difficult to know exactly what the colour in the tube looks like. On the other hand, jars are easy to open and allow you to see the colour you are buying or have in storage. Better yet, jars allow you to use all of the paint you have purchased and can be reused to store custom blends you want to keep. Because Genesis® Oil Paints stay wet in the jar, there is no waste.

 

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Can I use rabbit-skin glue to size my canvas?

 

No. Rabbit-skin glue is not compatible with the Genesis® Paints.

 

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Do I need to varnish to protect my work when it is complete?

 

Genesis® Oil Paints do not require a varnish. Do not apply solvent-based varnishes to protect finished work because they will dissolve and destroy the dried paint, leaving the finish tacky and unable to be dried. Use Genesis® Acrylic Varnish if a varnished surface is desired for protection.