There are many different oil painting mediums that can help and enhance your portrait paintings. For example, most mediums are designed to dilute or dilute paints, helping to create thin glazes for painting techniques like sfumato, which require subtle blending and fine detail, others are used to enhance the body of paint. , perfect for filling.
In this article, I will highlight some of the best oil mediums for blending and glazing in portrait painting:
Winsor & Newton Liquin: This low gloss liquid alkyd medium is used to improve the flow of oil paint and smooth any brush strokes, it also increases transparency making it the perfect medium for fine glazing and blending work. In addition, by smoothing the brushstroke it is ideal for the finest details. Liquin can also speed drying up to half the usual time, depending on the ratio of oil color to medium.
Refined linseed oil: Although it is usually mixed with turpentine to create an oil painting medium, refined linseed oil can also be used neat. Linseed oil increases the fluidity of the paint and also the transparency, so again it is an ideal oil medium for thin glazes and blends. Delays drying allowing you to work longer with the paint.
Roberson-Parris Marble Medium: Roberson-Parris Marble Medium is made of refined beeswax, turpentine, and a glaze of synthetic copal or dammar resin. Mixed with oil paint in a 1:3 ratio and thinned with ground white spirit, this oil medium is used to create a non-reflective, matte surface that can be ideal for creating the illusion of depth, especially for dark backgrounds behind a portrait. .
Spectrum-Alkaflow: Spectrum-Alkaflow is an alkyd-based oil painting medium used to thin oil colors and soften brush strokes. Its effects are similar to Liquin, although Alkaflow is a bit more viscous and creates a glossy finish. Again, it’s a perfect oil painting medium for thin enamels, however the sheen it creates is more ideal for areas like the eyes or lips to give the interpretation of moisture or shine.
Medium Roberson-Glaze This oil painting medium is exactly what it says on the bottle; an oil medium that is mixed with paint specifically to create fine glazes. It improves the flow of paint and is therefore ideal for blending and finer, more detailed work.