1. What are mediums in art?
Mediums are a variety of substances but it’s easiest to think of them as additions to your paint. Whether it’s oils, acrylic or watercolour you use, including a medium in your practice can alter sheen, flow, drying time, texture, effect and more. What is thrilling about them is once you start experimenting, incorporating one or two in your work can help define your unique painting style.
2. What is a varnish?
Coming in a medley of offerings, from adhesive spray to traditional resin, varnish protects a finished painting from external elements such as dust and moisture, giving the artwork improved longevity. Effectively, it’s a sacrificial layer that will safeguard the underlying work. These days, varnish comes in various versatile guises. For example, a satin one on an oil painting will give it a gloss shield, while aerosol varnishes come in matt, gloss and satin options, suiting acrylic painting. Once you’ve selected the right varnish for you, it can be used on canvas, paper, wood, you name it. A general rule is you mustn’t paint over it.
3. Is white spirit the same as turpentine or paint thinner?
Both solvents - white spirit and turpentine (or turps for short) - can be used for thinning oils and cleaning brushes. White spirit smells different and is made differently to the latter. Originating from pine tree resin, turps has a delicious pine sap smell, albeit toxic, while white spirit doesn’t as it’s a petroleum derivative. There are benefits to both. You can purchase low odour white spirit, which many artists favour. White spirit evaporates more rapidly than turps so if you’re working in oils all day, you might opt for the more traditional pine derivative.
4. What is linseed oil and what is it used for?
Made from dried and pressed flax seeds, linseed has a noble heritage in oil painting, dating to the 12th century. There are a myriad to experiment with and while some linseed oils slow down the drying process, a few can speed it up. Because of its binding nature, it increases gloss and transparency in the composition. If you’ve not used it before, mix a little with oil paint on the palette to see how the consistency of your oils change, play about so you get to know it.
5. How to clean oil paintings
Dab a little resin/oil emulsion picture cleaner solvent to a cotton wool pad, or a swab. Gently brush the mixture onto the painting to remove dirt and discoloured varnish. For anything more serious, you’re best approaching a certified ACR (Accredited Conservator-Restorer) picture conservator, normally with an MA in painting conservation.
6. What is gum arabic?
A medium for watercolour, it’s a natural water-soluble resin that sits on top of the paint, increasing brilliance and transparency; it also slows down drying. You add it with water to the pigment you’re using then apply to your work. It’s another one worth playing with to learn how to manipulate the effect it offers.
7. How to thicken paint….
You can thicken acrylic with heavy structuring gel or paste; marry the gel and acrylic together before applying to the canvas. Heavy structure gel will give your creation texture and can be enjoyed for impasto. Beeswax pastes thicken oils. Equally, Liquin, blended with oil paint, results in a procession of wondrous thickening experiences and will show off brush marks for a painterly effect.
8. How to seal an acrylic painting
A spray on sealer such as W&N Artists Picture Varnish spray, or a bottle of acrylic glazing medium is the quickest way to seal an acrylic painting, not only for protection but for aesthetics.
9. What is gesso used for?
Gesso is a prerequisite in both acrylic and oil painting. It’s applied several times as a primer before you move onto the “real” painting. Not only will your paint sit better on a well-primed surface but your colours will shimmy. It also helps with conservation aspects as it gives the painting a solid foundation. Discerning artists will administer several layers of gesso on their canvas before embarking on a painting.
10. What is the best glazing medium for oil painting?
The best glazing medium is a blending and glazing one that adds depth to your artwork. Artists might want to bring out a luminosity in their handiwork, or give it a gloss. Artists also love glazing to