A clear oil medium to mix with and reduce light colours. Less inclined to yellow than linseed oil, but slower drying. Enhances gloss and flow, but too high a proportion prevents the colour from thoroughly drying.
By its very nature, oil colour is incompatible with water and dissolves only in turpentine, white spirit or low-odour thinners. Artists' oil colours are made by dispersing pigments in an oil medium to create a smooth, slow-drying paint. The choice of oil mediums from the wide variety available depends on the surface and the finish required, and the working properties preferred during painting.
