L In A to Z Poppies

The L in A to Z poppies stands for Linseed oil, while linseed oil does not come from the Papaver family, it does have a connection and the connection is with poppy oil. The second pressing of poppy oil that is done using heat is similar to linseed oil in smell and in use. This oil is pressed from the seeds using a heating method, which will extract an extra 20 to 25 percent of oil left in the seeds. This oil is not editable, but makes a perfect oil to use with oil paints on canvas giving the finished product a more visible appearance.

Poppy oil is used by artists because of its ability to dry without a yellow tint as linseed oil does, however it also takes a longer drying time than linseed oil. The drying time when used by artists using an oil paint medium is approximately five to seven days. For this reason artists often use linseed oil for the first layers of the painting, because linseed oil will dry in three to five days.

When an artist has the time to allow for the longer drying time to use only poppy oil the painting with oil colors when completed will have a brighter more clear color than one painted using linseed oil on the under layers. This is due to the drying difference, where linseed oil dries with a yellow tint and poppy oil dries clear.

.