Art Encyclopedia - Turpentine

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Turpentine
Oil of turpentine is a distillation of the oily resin of terebinth. It is the resinous liquid from pine. Spirits of turpentine is distilled from this and used for paintings as thinner for oil paint. Even the best turpentine will become thick or sticky if much exposed to light and air, and therefor it is best to buy small quantities. Turpentine has been used since the 15th century as a diluent, or thinner, for oil paint.