http://www.painters-online.co.uk artistFebruary 2021 43
PRACTICAL
depend to some extent on your style of
painting. Edward Wesson used just neat
turps, keeping it simple! Here are a few
of my preferences:
Refined linseed oil is the most
commonly used medium but on its own
it is extremely slow drying. Try mixing
it with distilled turpentine at a ratio
of 40/60 (you can experiment with this
ratio). Stand oil is also excellent; it is
a thick, syrupy oil that also has good
glazing properties. Again, this is better
thinned with turpentine. If you dislike
the smell of turpentine, low-odour
solvents – such as Sansodor – are an
alternative, but you will still need to
work in a ventilated room as they are
still hazardous.
Cold wax is a useful, versatile medium
made with a base of beeswax. It will
add more body and texture as well as
help to speed up drying time. I use
Gamblin, which can also be used as a
matt varnish on the finished painting.
Winsor & Newton and Zest-It cold wax
are possible alternatives to Gamblin.
Colourless painting gel mediums
can have their uses. Pebeo Painting
Medium Gel is one that I’ve used
but there are many others. Mix with
oil paint to make the paint more
fluid without thinning it down, thus
improving flow and transparency; it also
helps to speed up drying time.
Brushes
Although I have amassed a huge
collection of brushes, over the last few
years I’ve settled on a small range of
styles and manufacturers. Brushes are
such an important item for artists that
you can’t afford to skimp on quality.
Rounds, flats and filberts are the most
popular choices and are available in
either hog hair or synthetic (nylon).
I also have a synthetic rigger brush,
which is really useful for adding detail
such as branches and so on.
Many professional artists opt for the
quality of Rosemary & Co – they have a
huge selection of superbly hand-crafted
brushes to suit every need. I’ve tried
quite a few of them, and eventually
settled on their Ebony and Ivory ranges.I’ve also been trying out Jackson’s Black
Hog and Shiro Hog brushes and have
found them both hard wearing and
economical.Painting/palette knives
I don’t often complete a whole
painting using just a knife, although
it can be great fun! Painting knives
allow for expressive impasto-style
work and although the paint doesn’t
have to be thickly applied, it often is.