Please note: This page concerns itself with
mediums for oil paint. For acrylic mediums, see About
Acrylic Paint.
DAMAR MEDIUM
Damar Medium, also spelled dammar,
traditionally is a mixture of Stand oil, Damar and Pure Gum Turpentine. Damar resin is extracted from
fir trees found in Indonesia and Malaysia. In making the medium, damar
crystals are commonly dissolved in Gum Turpentine. Wet Paint carries
dammar crystals and a pre-mixed dammar medium that uses citrus thinner
instead of turpentine.
MAROGER MEDIUM
Maroger medium is a modified oil-resin
mix which imparts luster and a unique brush-ability to tube oil paint.
The medium is a mixture of mastic (tree resin) and black oil (heated or polymerized walnut oil) and litharge (lead dryer). LeFranc Oil (distributed by W&N)
produces two specific mixtures based on older European formulas. Flemish
oil medium inparts a glossy enamel-like finish to the surface
and is productive for glazing; while Venetian medium is similar to Flemish in composition but differs with the additional
presence of bees wax which reduces the gloss to a satiny
luster. We also carry maroger in a tube from Sennelier which is significantly more expensive and is more paste-like. It produces
a satin finish when thinned with turpentine. All oil-resin mixtures
such as maroger need to be thinned with turpentine.
Oil spirits will not properly reduce these formulas. It is important
to mention that all of these mediums have a significant amount of lead
in them and are considered toxic. Also, maroger medium
has been shown to darken the paint film over time making, its permanence
less than ideal.
COPAL PAINTING MEDIUM
Traditional copal painting medium is made from fossilized resins that are exuded from living
plants and mixed with linseed oil. It should only be used in small amounts.
It will speed drying time, improve flow, and increase gloss.
VENETIAN TURPENTINE RESIN
Venetian Turpentine Resin is a viscous natural balsam made by Schmincke.
It is tapped from European larch trees and therefore is sometimes referred
to as larch turpentine. It is good additive because
it contributes to the stability of the film. It is more flexible than
other resins and is relatively non-yellowing. Use sparingly.
ALKYD RESINS
Alkyd Resins are a synthetic
resin for oil paints. Made by combining an alcohol/acid
resin with soy oil, these resins make good binders that are
durable and dry fast. When used as a binder or medium alkyds are for
the most part clear; some yellowing has been reported. Winsor
& Newton makes a line of paint using alkyd resin as the
binder (Griffin). These paints or mediums can be used
interchangeably with other paints and mediums.
NEO MEGILP
Neo Megilp is made with an Alkyd resin base.
It is Gamblin’s answer to toxic black oil. Unlike
Black oil, Neo Megilp will dry very fast without becoming brittle or
darkening. It is a great glazing medium.
GALKYD
Galkyd is made from Alkyd resin by Gamblin. It dries very fast and is great for glazing.
This medium can be used as an alterative to traditional Stand
oil / Dammar / Turpentine painting medium. There are different
varieties of Galkyds highlighted below. Over all it will add gloss and
clarity of color to a painting. Similar effects can be had using Stand
Oil.
- Galkyd: fast drying; high cohesion; great
leveling properties
- Galkyd Lite: low viscosity; fast drying-medium
cohesion; will show brush strokes
- Galkyd SD: slow drying; low cohesion;
great level properties
WALNUT ALKYD MEDIUM
Walnut Alkyd medium is made from Alkyd
resin and Walnut Oil. It is for accelerating drying
time and enhances in adhesion between layers. This medium is great for
glazing. Like many glazing mediums it dries glossy. Because it is Walnut
Alkyd it is non-toxic and will not yellow like other
mediums.
LIQUIN
Liquin is another modified resin used
for glazing, made by Winsor & Newton. Dries very
fast. Improves the flow and transparency of the paint.
WINGEL
Wingel is another modified resin made
by Winsor & Newton. This comes in a tube form,
but it is not an impasto medium. It is know as a thrixotropic
gel because as it is mixed it liquefies and then re-gels. Over
all it is quick drying, improves flow, transparency, and dries glossy.
IMPASTO MEDIUMS
Impasto Mediums are mediums that will
help to strengthen and extend without
thinning the paint. Another benefit is that thick strokes of paint will
dry much faster and more evenly with the aid of a medium. In fact the
thick rough stokes may not hold up without the added strength of a medium.
OLEOPASTO
Oleopasto is Winsor & Newton is oil
modified alkyd resin, impasto medium. Dries fast, extends colors, and
is resistant to yellowing. Will add gloss to a painting.
Res-n-gel is an alkyd made by Weber.
Non- toxic, non-yellowing, glossy, and quick drying.
GALKYD GEL
Galkyd Gel is Gamblin’s impasto
medium. It is quick drying, full-bodied and glossy.
ZEC
ZEC is made by Grumbacher they use stand
oil and natural resins for their medium. It is full-bodied, and speeds
drying time.
SENNELIER IMPASTO MEDIUM
Sennelier impasto medium
is an emulsion of water in oil made possible by the incorporation of China Clay, along with safflower and stand oil, egg yolk, synthetic resins, gum Arabic and
several types of drier including lead. Thickens oil paints for impasto
and relief techniques that are usually inadvisable with oil paint. It
can be applied directly to the support, left to dry and then painted
over with oil colors. Mixed directly with oil colors (in any proportion)
it produces a creamy paste of a slightly lighter hue depending on the
amount used. It can be thinned with turpentine, mineral spirits or water.
Adding turpentine makes colors more matte. Dry time:
1mm approximately two weeks, ¼” may take a few months.
COLD WAX MEDIUM
Cold Wax Medium can be used as an impasto
and a glazing medium. It has a matte finish, and can also be used as
a protective coating. Wet Paint carries two types of cold wax mediums. Gamblin’s cold wax is made from bee wax and mineral
spirits (Gamsol), while Dorlands is
made from a compound of waxes and resins. It should be used in limited
amounts on inflexible surfaces in order wax to prevent cracking.
DRYERS
Driers, as the name implies, help
oil paint to dry faster. They are traditionally referred to as siccatives.
Driers work by accelating the rate at which oil molecules absorb oxygen.
Traditional siccatives use lead, manganese or cobalt metals to promote
oxidation whereas alkyd resin is used in modern driers. Excessive use
of drier can weaken the paint film and cause discoloration.
JAPAN DRIER
Japan drier is Alkyd resin, Mineral Spirits,
Aromatic 50 Solvent, and Cobalt Naphthenate made by Grumbacher.
Speeds drying, improves gloss. Add directly to color in small amounts.
Color should not be thinned beyond a soft free brushing consistency.
COBALT DRYER
Cobalt drier is made from Aliphatic Petroleum
Distillate; D-Limonene and Cobalt Tallete by Grumbacher.
Speeds drying. Add small amount to color, mix well, test before using.
Related articles: About Oil Paints
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