Charvin Oil Mediums

Glazing Medium - Glazing is now generally considered as taking any color and applying over another in a very transparent fashion. Classically, it is taking a darker color and working it over lighter ones to build a dimensional effect. Scumbling is using a lighter color over a dark one. Glazing medium thins colors properly for this purpose making them highly transparent. This can be done even though some pigments may not be transparent by nature.

Painting Medium - This guarded, highly balanced formulation of the company helps the painter obtain the best working character for their particular task. It is designed to make the paint work more pleasantly while imparting a rich luster to the final paint film. Used in higher concentration this medium will make colors more transparent.

Quick Dry Painting Medium - Essentially the same as the above but with a bit of drier added to the formulation. This is the safer way to go then trying to add your own siccative.

Venetian Turpentine - This viscous yellow liquid is made from pure larch tree resin. Be careful of other so called "Venetian Turpentines" that blend thinners in. Venetian Turpentine should almost appear "sappy" in thickness. It should be mixed sparingly into oil to create the desired glossy sheen. It is the famed varnish used in Europe from the time of Rubens. Be sure to add a little Courtrai siccative but no more than 3% by volume.

Siccative of Courtrai - This drying agent should never exceed in volume greater than 5% as compared to what you are mixing it into.