A lot of people confuse the terms “art mediums” and “painting mediums”, but they’re not the same. Art mediums are the tools we use to create art. This includes clay, oil, pastel, watercolour, pen, pencil etc. Painting mediums, on the other hand, are something we mix into the paint to change its consistency, flow, texture, drying time and sheen. Doing this makes the paint much more versatile and adds more visual interest.
Acrylic Mediums
Artists love using acrylic medium because it makes the paint much more interesting and more versatile. It helps them create fun effects that the pain can’t do on its own. It can make it thicker, thinner, matte, glossy, slow-drying etc. Acrylic mediums are not smelly or toxic and are easy to work with. Working with high-quality painting mediums can lead to the creation of masterpieces.
Gloss & Matte Mediums
Gloss mediums can help you bring forward the natural luminosity and shine of the paint. They can also make the paint either more transparent or thinner. This comes in handy when you need to apply very thin, almost translucent layers. When you need a non-reflective finish, you should use matte mediums. They will tone down the shine of the pain. To create a semi-gloss finish, you can combine equal parts of gloss and matte media.
Glazing & Gel Mediums
Similarly to gloss mediums, the glazing ones will also make the paint more transparent. You can also use it when you want to incorporate subtle and delicate glazing techniques. You can also find it under the name “glazing liquid”. This depends on the manufacturer, but the purpose remains the same. For acrylic paint, stay away from mediums that contain oils. They don’t work well together.
The gel medium looks like paste and is white in colour. Its purpose is to thicken the pain so the brushstrokes hold. If you’re working the impasto technique the gel medium can be your best friend. Another good feature of this medium is that it enhances the paint’s adhesive properties. This is useful when you’re doing collage work.
Modelling Paste & Texture Gels
Modelling paste is also known as moulding paste. It looks a lot like the gel medium but it has a thicker consistency and it’s a bit harder. It allows you to be very creative to the point of making a 3D painting if you layer the paint correctly. Once you do this, the relief can be sanded, carved or sculpted. Plus, it allows you to embed objects on the surface which is always fun to do.
Texture gels can mimic a variety of textures, including glass beads, sand, dirt and ceramic stucco. They’re exciting to play with and can significantly improve your painting experience. You can also add sand, sawdust, or any other material to create your own custom texture and create something completely unique.
Retarding Medium and Flow Improver
If you want to slow down the acrylic drying time, you should use a retarding medium. This way the paint behaves more like oil paint. Now you can create smooth blending effects and blend the colours on the support. There are a lot of retarding mediums that are actually additives so don’t use too much and always read and follow the instructions.
The flow improver is another painting medium that can enhance your painting. It’s also known as “flow air” or “wetting agent” and it’s used when you want to thin out the acrylic paints. Use it sparingly when you want to paint large areas. It works by thinning out the paint without making it lose its colour strength.
Oil Mediums
Oil mediums are created to change the drying time of the paint or its surface finish and viscosity. They’re usually made of a solvent, drying oils, siccative and resin. If you know how to use them properly, you’ll improve your techniques and become better at controlling the paint.
Solvents
A solvent is what you usually use to clean the painting equipment after you’re done, but it can also be used on your oil paints. Turpentine is one of the most commonly used solvents. It’s very compatible with oil paints and disperses the pigment evenly. However, turpentine is toxic so when working with it, so make sure the room is well-ventilated.
Odourless mineral spirits are another solvent you can use. It’s essentially petroleum distillate and it thins out oils. Be careful while using it because it can break down the paint. The oil of spike lavender is strong and breaks down thicker paint. It’s less toxic than turpentine and a bit more expensive but you don’t need a lot to make the paint work.
Oils
Refined linseed oil is very common. It’s very durable and reduces the oil’s viscosity, slows down the drying time and increases the gloss. Cold pressed oil adds a shine and it’s a great binder. Linseed stand oil is very concentrated and thick. That’s why you don’t have to use it a lot. It has good flowing properties and nice brush levelling. You can also use safflower, poppy seed or walnut oil.
Cold Wax
Cold wax is basically a thick paste. When used, it increases the paint’s volume, retains brushstrokes and creates a nice body. It adds a luscious matte finish and it’s perfect for the impasto technique. You can layer it and create a structure, almost like a 3D painting. Plus, it speeds up the drying time even though the layers are thick.
Alkyd Resin
This painting medium is a synthetic resin made of polymerised plant-based oil and odourless, slow-evaporating mineral spirits. It dries in about 24 hours and creates a firm, flexible and glossy surface. In some cases, it may even look like glass.
Watercolour Mediums
Watercolour mediums will make the paints more transparent, glossy or textured. Gum Arabic is a paste or a solution that heightens the colour’s intensity, makes it transparent and makes the paint more soluble. Ox gall is a paint flow improver and enhances the flow of washes.
Aquapasto and impasto gel give the paint some dimension and body. Keep in mind that it’s hard almost impossible to remove so be careful when using it and wash the brushes right away. Texture medium is a modelling paste that helps you create sculptural effects with watercolour. All of these mediums can greatly improve your painting experience, just take one step at a time.
