FAQs
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QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
I am doing a science fair project involoving different types of popsicle sticks, and I was wondering what types of chemicals/ products are placed on the sticks, or what makes them different from other popsicle sticks.
Forster wood products are not treated with any chemicals. The following link provides additional information and tips for crafting with our wood. http://www.loew-cornell.com/education/tipsandtechniques/producttipslisting/11/index.html
I purchased forster jumbo craft sticks. Can these be used in food? eg popsicles, ice cream scoops. Are ther any toxic chemicals or preservatives used in the production?
Although Forster Craft Sticks are not treated with any chemicals or preservatives, they are not considered to be food quality and are not manufactured in an environment for food safe products. For more information on working with Forster wood crafts please see "Forster FAQ's" under the "Education" link on our web site.
I just purchased your Brush Cleaner for Acrylic Paints, but it does not have any instructions for use on it. Do I use it full strength or do I mix it with water? If I mix it with water, how much water? If I use it full strength, do I need to rinse the brushes after cleaning them with the solution?
Generally Brush Cleaner for Acrylic Paints is put into the brush full strength. Be sure to stroke the brush hair in its natural direction to work the cleaner through the bristles. The brush should be rinsed thoroughly after cleaning to remove all paint (and dirty cleaner) If desired, 'clean' cleaner can be put into the brush as a sizing agent to keep brush heads in shape during storage and travel. Just be sure to rinse out before your next painting session. For more tips on brush care, visit: http://www.loew-cornell.com/education/tipsandtechniques/producttipslisting/9/index.html
I have your oil color Vermilion and I was wondering if it contains lead?
All Loew-Cornell paints are tested for lead and other heavy metals and considered to be non-toxic.
What are brushes called scrumblers?
Although sometimes referred to as scrumblers, I believe the brush you are referring to is a natural bristle round usually known as a 'Scumbler' after the haphazard technique of moving paint around on the surface. This is often done with thick paint or applied in layers, putting a lighter color over a darker color so the darker color shows through in varying amounts and can create texture and depth in a painting. A scumbler brush has a broad, round point as opposed to a fine point. You can see Loew-Cornell's scumbler brush (series 2014) by clicking on the following link: http://www.loew-cornell.com/products/flashpaper/56/index.html
I have your watercolor pad, rough surface, 25 sheets,90 lb. #339. Do these sheets need to be wet and stretched before using? –Jan
While stretching is optional, because this is a light weight paper, it will tend to wrinkle particularly if you are painting washes, or other techniques which use a fair amount of water. You may be more pleased with your final result if the paper is stretched before painting.
I just bought Item 385, the paint saver palette. How do I make this into a wet palette for acrylics?
To make a paint saver palette, put a damp, thin sponge cut to size in the tray section of your palette and then cut and place a sheet of deli wrap on top. Another alternative to the sponge is to fold and/or cut layers of paper towel to size. Commercial sponges and palette paper for making wet palettes are also available at arts and crafts retailers and on-line.
Can I tie-dye your canvas tote bags?
The canvas tote bags are 100% natural cotton canvas and can be tie dyed. The bags feature polyweb handles which do not absorb the dye very well. They will be a much lighter color or you can protect them from the dying process to keep the original color. Some additional tips: Tie dye will be more vibrant on the white tote bags than the natural canvas. Because the canvas bags are a fairly heavy material (as opposed to a t-shirt where a certain amount of dye easily soaks through, it is important to make sure you get your dye into all the creases of your bag when it is bundled with elastics.
I purchased white transfer paper, #394. I am wanting do decorate a ceramic plate by copying some wording onto the plate. I read that I could print it on the computer, use transfer paper to put it on, and then seal it with something. But I'm not sure how to use the transfer paper. It says that it is waxless, greaseless, and erasable on sealed surfaces. But I'm clueless as to how to use it.
I think there may be a little bit of confusion regarding transfer paper and what it can do. Transfer paper such as Loew-Cornell's is used to put a pattern onto a surface that will be painted or otherwise decorated. It is not a "final" design. To transfer a pattern, you would put the paper white side down on your surface and then position the pattern (in your case lettering) on top. It helps to secure each in place with a light adhesive tape so they don't move. Then using a stylus, dull pencil or other blunt point trace over the pattern lines. This will in turn 'transfer' white pattern lines onto your surface. Remove the transfer paper and pattern and you are ready to work on your surface design. After painting, pattern lines can generally be removed using a white eraser and light pressure. (Be sure to test first!)
I just bought some colored craft sticks and I was wondering if they were safe to bake cookies on?
Forster wood products are manufactured for use in craft projects. While the dyes and stains sometimes used to color the wood are non-toxic, Forster wood products whether natural or stained, are not recommended for use with food.
I purchased a Berry Maker set. Any additional hints on uses?
Berry Makers are an easy to use tool that can save a lot of time when painting berries. The "Education" link on our web site includes a tips and techniques sheet of ideas for the Berry Makers. http://www.loew-cornell.com/education/tipsandtechniques/producttipslisting/4/index.html
I bought a package of soft pastels, the 24 basic colors. The number on the box is 885. I need to know the exact color of each piece of chalk. Can you tell me the names?
Thanks for your inquiry. We are pleased to let you know that a complete color identification chart can be found at the following address on our web site. http://www.loew-cornell.com/education/tipsandtechniques/producttipslisting/10/index.html Look for more color charts to be added soon.
I purchased the 12 acrylic color set in a purple box. Are these paints water based or will I need some sort of cleaning solution for my brushes? For some reason when I purchased them I thought they could be mixed and cleaned up with water, was I right?
Acrylic paints are water soluble and this ease of use is one of the properties that make them so desirable to artists. For best results we recommend that you use a mild soap or brush cleaner formulated for acrylic/waterbased paints in addition to water to clean your brushes and other tools. This will help break down the paint quickly and thoroughly to keep your brushes in the best possible condition.
OK. Here is a really basic question. When "prepping" wood for painting, what are the absolute "must do?" – Melony
It is the wise craftsperson who quickly learns that the key to a beautiful project is often in the prep work! I don?t know if there are absolute ?must do?s,? but doing or not doing certain things is likely to affect the durability, paint adhesion and final look and feel of your finished project. Some basic steps to follow would include: ? Sand wood (with the grain) working your way from coarser to finer grades of sandpaper and remove all dust with a tack cloth. ? Seal any knots with shellac to prevent bleed through ? Seal or prime wood on all sides ? especially if it will be exposed to weather. ? Lightly sand sealed wood and also between coats of paint. Brown paper grocery sacks often have the perfect amount of tooth for this step.
What brand name of oil paint is the best to use? I get confused between the paints and brushes also.
All paint is essentially ground pigments, binder (in the case of oil paint most often linseed oil or safflower oil, fillers such as wax and sometimes other additives like a drier or stabilizer. Quality of paint can vary greatly depending upon the quality and levels of ingredients and manufacturing processes. Loew-Cornell offers several sets of oil paints which would be considered to be hobby/student quality. Often the best way to find out what will work for you is to simply ask fellow painters with similar styles or your teacher what they use and prefer. If possible, you then might want to purchase a few small tubes of various brands to try for yourself.
Should you wash new brushes before using?
Yes! When brushes are made, the heads are dipped ?sizing,? a starch solution that makes the hair stiff and protects it during shipping. It is important to remove this sizing before painting. Rinsing in lukewarm water with a mild soap will do the trick. Natural hair brushes may also shed when new. Rinsing before use will remove stray hairs.
Are camel hair brushes really made from camels?
No! I wish I knew how the term ?camel hair? came into existence, but no camel hair is used in art brushes. Camel hair is a broad term for brushes that can be made from any number of economical hairs including goat, ox and pony. These hairs are generally absorbent, but lacking in strength, spring and point, so best reserved for very light paint, washes and gentle blending.
I bought a natural hair mop and noticed it sheds? Is this normal?
Natural hair is not all the same length, so when brushes are made there may be some stray hairs that are not caught in the ferrule of the brush and will shed. To avoid having hairs find their way into your paint, be sure to rinse new brushes before using. You can also lightly tap the tips of the brush head on the sticky side of a piece of masking tape to pull out loose hairs.
Can you use the same brushes for painting with oils and acrylics?
In most cases yes, but if you work in both regularly you will probably want to keep separate sets of brushes. Oil-based products can interfere with the adhesion and other properties of acrylics and vice versa. If you do use the same brushes, be sure to clean them thoroughly removing all residues.
Information in FAQs is presented in good faith. However, no warranty of any kind is made with respect to such information nor are any results guaranteed. Always read instructions for the products you are working with.
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