[Woodcarver] Boiled linseed oil and artist oil

[ellenwoodarts]

In reference to using boiled linseed oil to finish your carving.
Look at my web site at: www.ellenwoodarts.com. Go to my "gallery" and look at picture "one", which is the Voyageur.
I finished the Voyageur using boiled linseed oil and artists oil paints to do a staining process.
When you start this process it must be completed in one setting. (The boiled linseed oil should remain in a liquid state while your are doing this process.) If the boiled linseed oil sets up before the project is finished, the paint will set on the surface of the wood rather than penetrating into the wood like a stain.
Totally saturate the carving with boiled linseed oil. Keep putting on the boiled linseed oil until the wood will not absorb any more.
When the wood is totally saturated, so it will not absorb any more linseed oil, wipe off all the excess linseed oil which is setting on the surface. The wood must be saturated, but you don't want the linseed oil to puddle on the surface of the wood. (Surface must remain moist, but not puddling with the linseed oil.)
In saucers (one saucer for each color you will use) pour a small amount of linseed oil in the center of the saucers. On the edge of each saucer, put a dab of the artists oil color will use. 
Mix a small amount of the artists oil with some of the linseed oil to make a stain.
Paint the stain on carving. Being the wood is saturated with the boiled linseed oil, the color will penetrate into the wood slightly, but you will find very little bleeding to take place.
On the beard, mustache and eye brows I let the stain set a few minutes, then wiped some from the surface so I would get some highlights on the hair. Doing this makes the hair look more natural.
I didn't need to add color to the face. I find the boiled linseed oil gives it a natural flesh color without the need to add additional color. 
I like the results because it allows the wood grain to show through the stain.
Contact me if you have any questions.......
Ev Ellenwood
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