Oils & Acrylics

From the Cranfield website:

An almost transparent painting medium based on refined linseed oil and alumina. It is similar in consistency to Studio Oil Colours in tubes. It does not promote quick drying and may be used to extend oil colours. It can be used in large ratios where the desired effect is to increase yellowing and darkening of pale colours. It will not increase gloss.

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From the Cranfield website:

This free flowing, slightly thixotropic medium is alkyd based and will not increase gloss when added to oil colours. It is quick drying.

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From the Cranfield website:

This is a thixotropic alkyd medium designed to mix with oil colours, retaining the body of the paint.

Spectragel is a gloss medium and is quick drying. It is a clear medium based on a synthetic resin that improves the weather resistance of oil colours; ideal for glazing and extending colours while retaining gloss and structure of paint.

Matt Spectragel is a quick drying, clear, weather-resistant medium based on synthetic resin. Ideal for extending colours, Matt Spectragel Medium will retain structure and dry to a matt finish.

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Lefranc Bourgeois are a paint manufacturer with a long history of supplying to artists since their beginnings in 1720.

From their website: The Harlem Duroziez drying medium increases the brilliance and transparency of glazes. It enables the build-up of layers over the course of half a day thanks to the rapid drying effect of thin layers. It is completely dry within three days.

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Lefranc Bourgeois are a paint manufacturer with a long history of supplying to artists since their beginnings in 1720.

From their website: The Flemish glazing medium enables artists to create glossy amber finishes in the style of the Flemish masters. It creates a transparent look. It also greatly enhances the brilliance of the oil. After half a day’s work, the colours can be layered over each other.

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LeFranc Bourgeois are a paint manufacturer with a long history of supplying to artists since their beginnings in 1720.

From their website: The slow-drying J.G. Vibert painting medium holds brush marks, creates a painterly satin film and prevents any sinking. It creates a uniform top film and enables artists to rework old colours for long periods of time.

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A cobalt drier in white spirit, to be added sparingly to oil colours to accelerate drying. Learn More

When Roberson Florentine Medium is mixed with oil colour, it is possible to paint freely on textile fabrics, which will stand up to subsequent hand-washing with soap and water. It may also be used when painting with oils on unprepared paper. Learn More

Roberson Impasto medium is a crack-resistant medium for impasto effects. It retains palette knife and brush strokes, giving the paint sharp, defined edges. It remains thick and doubles paint easily, drying to a matte finish. To retain colour strength, mix one part medium to one part oil colour.

Contains: Stand Oil, Damar Resin, Turpentine, Bleached Beeswax.

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Mix with tube oils or pigment to improve flow and translucency, resulting in a satin finish. Contains silica driers. May darken if cap is left off bottle; if this happens, replace the lid and leave overnight to restore the colour with no lasting ill effects.

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Mix with tube oil colours or pigment to improve flow and translucency. For thin glazes, fine details and smooth brushwork.

Contains: Turpentine, Damar Resin, Stand Oil, Cobalt Dryers.

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This is a traditional, high-oil "fat" painting medium, made using the highest quality materials. It will retain colour strength, is resistant to bleeding, has good flow release, is ideal for blending, and can be mixed with oil colours in any ratio. When dry, it creates an enamel-like surface.

Contains: Stand oil, Cold-pressed Linseed oil, Canada Balsam, Rectified Spirit of Turpentine, Beeswax, Driers.

Clean tools in white spirit. Do not use as a varnish, always mix with oil colour.

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Roberson Maroger Medium can be mixed in equal parts with oil colours to give a lasting brilliance and workable consistency to paints. It prevents sinking when using a wet-in-wet techniques.

Contains: Damar Resin, Gum Arabic, Linseed Oil

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From the Winsor & Newton website: This quick drying gloss medium offers a slight gel that brushes out smoothly and is ideal for artists looking for a non-drip effect when mixed with colour. Speeds drying (touch dry in 1-6 days depending on colour and film thickness). Ideal for glazing. Resists yellowing. Not suitable as a varnish or final coat. Learn More

From the Winsor & Newton website: The most fluid of the Liquin family of products, this quick drying, gloss medium is ideal for fine details, glazing and blending, or to produce a smooth surface picture. Speeds drying (touch dry in 1-6 days depending on colour and film thickness).Resists yellowing. Not suitable as a varnish or final coat.

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From the Winsor & Newton website: A quick drying, semi-gloss medium which thickens slowly and extends tube colour retaining crisp textures brush marks without any visible levelling. Speeds drying (touch dry in 1-6 days depending on colour and film thickness). Resists yellowing. Not suitable as a varnish or final coat.

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Roberson's Matt Medium creates a dead-flat finish when mixed with oil colour. It aids the flow and increases the artist's control of oil paint, allowing for smooth application flat brush marks with low edges. It can be mixed with oil paint in any ratio. Learn More

From the Winsor & Newton website: This reliable favourite is a general purpose semi gloss medium which speeds drying, improves flow and reduces brush stroke retention. Halves the drying time of conventional oil colour (touch dry in 1-6 days depending on colour and film thickness). Resists yellowing. Not suitable as a varnish or final coat. Learn More

This product does not contain turpentine, and can therefore be suitable for artists with allergies.

From the Schmincke website:

A neutral, nearly non-yellowing, painting and thinning medium for oil colours. Suitable for all painting techniques except for early layers on absorbent undergrounds (not lean enough); has a low impact on drying time. For dilution, use terpin (max. 30%). Dosage: 10 to max. 20%. Contains: alkyd and acrylic resin, mineral spirit.

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A gel medium that increases the buttery character of oil colours and decreases their drying time. Useful for impasto techniques and knife application. Add to oils in a maximum ratio of 1:4. Contains alkyd resin.

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Highly siccative painting medium. Dries on the palette with 40 minutes. Use sparingly to prevent gloss.

From the Schmincke website:

Medium for oil colours rich in resin (“lean”). Accelerates drying; increases gloss and depth; makes the colour layers more resistant. Close immediately after use. Dosage: 10% to 20%.

Contains: aldehyde resin, mineral spirit, siccative, stand oil.

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A slow-drying medium that allows for extending the working period, wet-in-wet painting and blending techniques.

From the Schmincke website:

Medium for oil colours rich in oil. Retards drying; allows wet-in-wet painting; its high content of oil and resin improves the gloss and develops a smooth, elastic film. Dosage: 10% to 20% maximum.

ontains: sunflower oil, stand oil, mineral spirit, aldehyde resin

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From the Schmincke website:

Low-fat (“lean”) painting and thinning medium for oil colours. Recommended for thin grounds and to create transparent layers over gouache, tempera and acrylic paintings; thins without hardly affecting the drying time and gloss. Dosage: 10% to max. 20%

Contains: Safflower oil, natural and synthetic resins, mineral spirit.

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From the Schmincke website:

Jelly-like medium for accelerating the drying of oil colours. Preserves consistency and degree of gloss. Dosage: 10% to 30% maximum. Contains: Siccative, stand oil, resin solution, mineral spirit.

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Slightly thinner than Alkyd Gel, Daler Rowney Alkyd Flow Medium increases the transparency and flow of oil colour, allowing paint to be brushed out more smoothly. Reduces drying time. Learn More

Renaissance Materials by Dr. David Cranswick.

A thick glazing medium of the 'Old Masters'. Liquid Glass Mediums facilitate building up layers of transparent glaze. Gloss or Satin.

Contains: Damar resin, linseed oil and beeswax (for Satin medium only)

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From the Winsor & Newton website: This new medium slows drying & improves flow. Ideal for blending, glazing, stroke work, antiquing and staining. Improves transparency and depth. Dries to a durable gloss finish.

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Neo-Megilp Medium is produced by Gamblin. They say:

"Neo Megilp is a contemporary version of Maroger. This soft gel medium maintains the body of oil colours, increases transparency and flow, and imparts a smooth, silky feel. Neo Megilp dries at a moderate rate and remains workable for hours. Neo Megilp gives colours a satin gloss."

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* Only available online.* Cold Wax medium is made by Gamblin. They say:

"Cold Wax medium is made from naturally white, pure beeswax. Formulated to knife consistency, Cold Wax Medium makes oil colours thicker and more matte. Cold Wax Medium can be used to make Gamblin mediums and Gamvar more matte. It can also be applied alone as a matte varnish."

Please see below for more information.

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