Painting mediums offer a great deal more than simply extending oil colors. Mediums modify the working properties of oil color from the tube - from a fluid consistency for expressive mark making to a stiff paste for creating thick, crisp marks. Painting mediums also broaden the visual qualities of our colors - from increasing the transparency of paint layers, to creating a range of surface qualities, from high gloss to matte.

When a painting is completed, all of the thought, effort and emotion that went into it are reflected in the artist's marks. Choosing the appropriate painting medium can be an essential part of making oil painting your own. With a painting medium that fits your needs, you can get into the flow of painting faster and stay there longer.

Oil painting mediums should not be used as a varnish or final coat.