This article reviews some of the most popular oil painting mediums, their purpose, and some tips on how to use them. The purpose of adding these substances to your oil paints is to change the behavior of the paint during application and affect the results after the paint dries. Behavior refers to how the paint peels off the brush and glides over the surface, how it covers the surface or successive layers, and how it feels to apply.

Paint brands act differently and media helps you control paint the way you want it to act while you use it. Some paint brands, and I’m only referring to artist grade paints here rather than student grades, are stiffer from the start. Student grades have less pigment and more fillers like extra oil and they just don’t work well. If you use those paints that are stiffer out of the tube, but want more versatility in how they handle or behave, you will need a medium. Other artistic quality paints are what I call fluffier and spread more smoothly from the tube. If you want brush strokes to be evident in your final painting, a stiffer paint works better. Adding a refined linseed oil in small amounts until it feels good will make the paint even and show fewer strokes. You will see less linseed oil and more bumps. If you prefer a filling technique (think Van Gogh), Gamblin Alkyd Gel thickens the paint very well. Always remember never to put a faster drying coat over a slow drying coat of paint. The top coat can dry too quickly and form a barrier, causing the underlying coat to seal and could ripple or crack the surface along the way.

Glazing media allows you to apply thin layers of paint and create color and radiance by having the beholder’s eye mix the colors rather than mixing the paint on the palette or canvas. Using a medium like Liquin by Winsor & Newton speeds up drying time while thinning the paint, allowing layers to build up without waiting a few days for it to dry before applying the next one. There are also glazing media available as A traditional medium used for decades by many painters is refined linseed oil, a touch of solvent (typically mineral spirits) and a touch of carrier oil, and a touch of Japan or Cobalt Dryer. Ingredients are mixed in a balance to achieve the desired results, such as faster drying time, more shine, etc. Stand Oil is just a thicker linseed oil that can reduce brush strokes and increase shine. Adding Damar varnish to your mix also adds shine and can speed up drying time. Damar varnish is made from tree resin and alkyd is a form of synthetic resin.

There are several mediums and I recommend that you try several until you find the one that best suits your painting style. Along with those mentioned above are safflower oil, poppy seed oil, and walnut oil.