On many occasions, we receive inquiries about Liquin oil medium. Among them, we find questions such as: What is it? What types are there in the market, and what are they for? How to use it?… In today’s post, we are going to clear up these common questions about Liquin.
What is Liquin?
This tutorial will try to explain the characteristics and uses of this medium manufactured by Winsor & Newton. First of all, Liquin Medium is an alkyd medium for oil paints. It is used to achieve greater volume in oil paints and to accelerate drying.
Also, note that, depending on the type of Liquin, it comes in a bottle or tube also that its appearance is gelatinous and semi-transparent.
What Types of Liquin are There?
The Liquin family has grown in recent times. In the beginning, there were only the original and the impasto. Nowadays, the needs of artists have grown, and so has the Liquin range:
Liquin Original
This Liquin Original is the most popular of all liquid alkyd mediums. It is a slightly glossy medium that increases the fluidity and transparency of the colors. It is easily mixed with a brush or spatula, and it can shade the brushstrokes.
It is ideal for creating textures similar to those in the works of Manet or Renoir.
Liquin fine details (for very delicate details)
This Liquin fine detail is a glossy and fluid medium, perfect for detail work. It is also perfect for very homogeneous gradations, as it leaves no trace of the brushstrokes. Thus, it is especially recommended for working on smooth surfaces without the brushstrokes being perceived.
It is the one to use if we want to emulate the works of Van Eyck or Dürer.
Liquin light gel
This is an improved version of Wingel. This thin gel becomes fluid in contact with the brush. Mixing it with the colors provides an anti-drip effect, making it ideal for glazing. So that we understand each other, the light Liquin gel would be equivalent to a non-dripping lacquer while the Liquin Fine Details would be equivalent to a more liquid one.
Perfect for handling colors more freely, like Rubens or Gainsborough.
Liquin Impasto
This Liquin Impasto is an improved version of Oleopasto. A slightly glossy impasto medium that retains brush strokes and palette knife strokes. Once dry, it forms a flexible and resistant film. It is the only medium that thickens oils without any risk.
How is Liquin Used?
All varieties can be mixed with pigment in a 2 to 1 ratio, i.e., 2 parts pigment to 1 part liquid.
Concerning the original liquid, it can be used homogeneously mixed on the palette with the paint. Once mixed, it no longer has the original gelled appearance. Thus, the layer it produces once applied to the painting is normal. Before applying it, it is important to stir it in the bottle to avoid caking. This medium, in particular, eliminates the brushstroke marks. For this reason, if we want to maintain the original texture, we should apply the last coat of paint without a medium.