Essential Oil of Clove is an age-old studio accessory: it was used as a preservative and an additive to substantially slow the drying time of oil paints. And it would fill the studio with a fragrance much more seductive than linseed oil and turpentine!

We now know that clove oil not only darkens with age, it stays so soft for so long that it weakens the final paint film, leaving it susceptible to damage. I used to dab it on my palette, away from the paints, just for the scent and the sentimentality. Upgrade: The Watermark Studio Candle! 🤗 It’s (c)lovely!