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.
Gamblin’s family of Galkyd painting mediums are formulated with Gamsol. We recommend only Gamsol for thinning these materials.
Oil painting mediums should not be used as a varnish or final coat.
Galkyd
Galkyd thins oil colors and increases transparency and gloss. When used in greater proportions with oil color, Galkyd will level brush-strokes, creating an enamel-like surface. Galkyd is our fastest-drying painting medium. Thin layers will be touch-dry in approximately 24 hours.
Galkyd Lite
Galkyd Lite thins oil colors and increases transparency and gloss. When used in moderation with oil colors, Galkyd Lite will retain brushstrokes. Galkyd Lite is more fluid and less glossy compared to Galkyd. Thin layers will be touch-dry in 24 to 30 hours.
Galkyd Slow-Dry
Galkyd Slow Dry thins oil colors and extends working time. Galkyd Slow Dry is more fluid and less glossy than Galkyd Lite. Use one part Galkyd Slow Dry to one part oil colors to paint wet-into-wet for at least a day.
Galkyd Gel
Galkyd Gel is a stiffer gel compared to Neo Megilp that holds thicker, sharper brushmarks and dries more quickly. Galkyd Gel increases transparency of oil colors and creates impasto.
