Oil Mediums: Shape the Way Your Paint Moves and Dries
Oil mediums give painters precise control over the consistency, finish and drying time of their paint. Whether you want to thin your colours for fluid glazes, build rich impasto layers or speed up drying between sessions, the right medium makes a significant difference. DeSerres carries a complete selection of oil mediums from trusted brands, suited to traditional and contemporary oil painting techniques.
Which Oil Medium Should You Use?
Linseed oil is the most common oil medium, adding gloss and improving flow without significantly changing drying time. Stand oil is thicker and produces a smooth, enamel-like finish with fewer brush marks. Alkyd mediums speed up drying considerably, making them useful for underpainting or when working in multiple layers. Liquin and similar synthetic mediums combine fast drying with good transparency, ideal for glazing. Drying oils such as poppy or walnut oil are slower-drying alternatives that yellow less over time. Always work fat over lean — adding more medium in each successive layer — for a stable, crack-resistant result. Explore our Oil Paint, Solvents and our full Mediums, Varnishes & Resins collection for more options.
