Oil Grounds, Mediums, Varnishes

There are fewer mediums that can be added to oil paint than acrylic paint. Oil mediums are used to speed up the drying time, increasing the brushabilty, or for glazing techniques. Most mediums that will speed up the drying time will need ventilation, solvent free mediums are a great alternative, but typically need to be used sparingly. Gamblin has a great article regarding oils and solvent free painting

Oils are meant to increase the flow/brushability of oil paint. They may also be used as an intital brush cleaner instead of solvent. Many artists are moving away from using solvents or driers in their work. Traditionally oil painters used a combination of oil and solvent as a painting medium.

Solvents are used in the early stages of painting, for thinning down varnish, or for brush cleaning. They are not intended for glazing techniques.

Oil Varnishes available in brush on and aersoal sprays. We carry Winsor and Newton, Golden, Gamblin and Tri-Art Varnishes suitable for oil paintings. Note that traditionally oil paintings need to dry from 6 months to 1 year before varnishing unless using a temporary Retouch Varnish. Gamvar is a modern varnish which can be applied after oil paint has dried to the touch. Many oil varnishes like Golden MSA need to be thinned out with a solvent, but Winsor and Newton and Gamvar are ready to apply without the need to thin with a solvent.