PAINT TALK: Do You Need Medium or Paint Thinner?

[@MichaelBrooksmsb400]

My very first Oil Painting was done on a 30"x40" hand-stretched Canvas....painted a Castle from a Post Card. Yes, I primed the Canvas, and no paint thinners or mediums were used in the process, I did no layering, and just paint to brush to canvas. The only time I used thinner was to clean the brushes. The painting was done in my Junior Year in High School, In Independent Study Art.

[@MarianaIsabelCampos]

I love you so much jesuuuuuus!!! You answered so many questions in such simple way, and made oil painting so much fun and simple for me I feel like crying! This will be gold for my isolation days because of covid. Thank you so so much!!

[@renadaniels8222]

Can I paint with useing oils

[@renadaniels8222]

Sorry my question is can I paint with out useing oil

[@babythestars123]

Yo. I love your stuff. You are a great teacher. No BS, straight to the point and actually great tips. Thanks im sub to your patreon.

[@mountainside26]

I'm brand new to oil painting and just trying to gather information and materials. I've been seeing a lot of videos about solvent free studios- as compared to using toxic chemicals that are unhealthy and environmentally not great. It seems as though everything is easier with solvents but I'm hoping to be able to work without them. I hope you do a segment on how to work solvent free.

[@cande231]

so the way you can paint solvent free has gotten easier over the years you have safe options to play around with i love the solvent free gel by gamblin but i also love to just mix oils into my paintings but if your not carful and you want to layer and glaze layer one paint with no oil added layer 2 refined linseed oil layer 3 and onwards add more and more stand oil to your medium as the layers increase eg start with 1 part stand and 5 linseed and move through your layers like that i like to work with walnut oil so i fill a slow cooker with walnut oil as much that fits you want as little air in there as possible and let is cook on low for 2 or so weeks this will thicken the oil giving you a fattier layer with the lovely feel of walnut oil i also like to melt in a tiny bit of cold bees wax into my medium holds texture nicely

[@enderjacket6384]

​@@cande231awesome advice. I have been scouring the internet for people to spell out the method and no one seems to be clear about it. Thank you!

[@bozmundarts2614]

I use thinner (walnut oil) mixed with paint (gray/lightish tone) as a first coat, rub it off to a fair degree with paper towel and get on with it, so i have a tone to have a better compositional feel, and wetter surface to lay paint on without thinning out too

[@davidgetchell630]

Great video. Always find you have the best advice for beginners and even more experienced people.

[@poopyfartboi]

Anyone else love the fact that he didn’t know how to pronounce ‘tiny alien’? 😂 awesome video and very informative as always!

[@kimlanoue2033]

I find that I have purchase a lot of medium, and yes you really don’t need it. What a waist of money. I rarely use it. I do use linseed oil for glazing on my dry painting which gives my paintings a delicious glow!

[@Maria-vz1sm]

So you just wait until it is dry? I'd like to try it.

[@kimlanoue2033]

Maria certain colors that are transparent make good glazes. It’s a little paint mixed with linseed oil (glaze) then applied over to give added depth. Watch videos or read about it. I apply crimson over my sky for example for added glow and build on several layers. It also adds a beautiful shine.

[@kimlanoue2033]

Maria yes the painting has to be dry to the touch. I learned this technique on Skillshare. It’s the way the “masters” used to paint. Layers and layers of glazes. If you don’t thin in down enough, it won’t be a glaze. Just research it first. It’s like the final touches of a painting!

[@Maria-vz1sm]

Thanks!

[@Maria-vz1sm]

@@kimlanoue2033 thanks!

[@Aliceoberdorf]

I’m going to try switching from acrylics to oil and am pretty at sea about how I’ll approach it. I’m ordering the book you recommended. Thanks.

[@BlueEyedMatt42]

Thank you for the answers! It’s good to know the drying time. Do you just dip your brush in it, or actually pour some out? Joining patreon today!

[@jasminepothumulla1556]

I only use galkyd gel medium because it was on the store shelf at the time of me buying oil paint for the first time. I like it. I like that I can just blob it on my pallet beside the colors that I want to use.

[@madaamchenilin5234]

Thank you for always uploading... Im always watching your videos it helped me alot im started painting oil.. And you are my online guru..😍😍

[@paintcoach]

Thank you so much 😀

[@allenvoss7977]

I use Gamsol for the block in and then after that I use a little bit of linseed oil and then pretty much pure paint at the very end.

[@AnimalLover101195]

omfg as soon as I saw this I was like, 'i've been very confused so this is *exactly* what I need!!!!'' (also nice steeler mug in the intro lol!)

[@paintcoach]

Thanks! That mug actually fell and broke recently. I need to get another one

[@AnimalLover101195]

@@paintcoach aww that's too bad

[@AngeredPegasus]

Thank you so much for you clear, detailed explanations! Your videos answered all what I did not understand. Liked and subscribed :)

[@paintcoach]

Awesome, thank you!

[@SparkPlug-ml1ci]

Since I began oil painting at the beginning of the year I've used Liquin Original but recently I've got some Refined Linseed Oil and Odorless Mineral Spirits ( Gamsol ). I still really like Liquin Original and now I like using mineral spirits for cleaning. However I'm not too comfortable with Linseed oil yet.

[@mediocreshakespeare9354]

I have a question that’s super silly. I don’t understand drying with oil paint. I’ve heard a lot of people say it takes like a year for oils to actually dry but Theres no way an artist is going to wait a year to send a client a commission. I know one medium speeds up drying time and some paints dry faster than others but I’m still super confused on drying as a whole with oils. But how would an artist spend two weeks on a painting with or without those fast drying mediums and then ship it to the client without it ruining the painting? Super silly, right? I’m not even sure if that question makes sense. I absolutely love your channel btw!

[@eliasrivas5210]

Acrylic painter, here, and I have the same question. I’ve never painted in oils, but I’m about to start. I’d like to get an idea of drying times before I jump in, but mostly I’d just like to know how to best take care of a painting while it’s still drying.

[@sketchingjohn1678]

I generally wait at least 3-4 days before putting another layer on top of another one, otherwise the old one can mix with the new one. I use only walnut oil and no fast dry medium or anything. I wait a few months before I varnish a painting, though some recommend up to a year. However, if you don't intend to varnish it, it will be dry to the touch in a week or so and can be shipped.

[@sketchingjohn1678]

@@eliasrivas5210 While the painting is drying, just put it somewhere where it won't get a lot of dust. A fan can help, but I've gotten bits of fluff and gunk into the paint when I tried that. I put them in my attic or my car. In the summer, they dry to the touch in just a couple days that way, especially if they can get some sun. My dashboard is the neighborhood art gallery in the summer.

[@davidgetchell630]

It dries by chemical reaction instead of evaporation. Its a much slower process.

[@gurbym5513]

Hi Chris, is it ok to copy paintings? I have seen many paintings I have loved and attempted to paint them both to get practice but also because they inspire me. Is it better to stick to photographs and imagination? Thank you.

[@manaralmousawi3032]

I’m so glad I found your channel!

[@Luvliaa]

Wish this video came out when I was watching your videos while buying some oil paint😫very handsome tutor🤍

[@05172467023]

I recently started to watch your videos , really love them and going to register as a Patreon. You're a master painting coach. Question: is it a good approach to use as a reference a copy of a masters painting such as Monet, Van Gogh, Cezanne, Sargent?

[@aricar325]

Would you consider doing a video on non-toxic oil painting options? I love your channel and am a subscriber. Apologies if you already did and I missed it. I'm interested because I live like a gypsy in a small trailer, and toxic fumes are a concern. Other people living in a small space or around children might also be interested. I've seen information on less toxic options like Gamblin paints (lower VOC), Sennelier thinner/cleaner/varnishes, and ideas like underpainting with thinned down acrylic. Because you are my go-to source, I wondered if you have any advice about setting up a non-toxic oil painting environment?

[@ajayllar]

So helpful! Loving your vids and will subscribe. Also couldn’t help laugh at the butchering of the user name “tiny alien” 🤣

[@bio-plasmictoad5311]

Gamvar can be applied when the paint is tuch dry, fantastic stuff.

[@dori.artist]

Starting painting again after 20 years, looking for tips. Subscribed because Nick Cage painting.

[@kimlanoue2033]

Hi Chris! I have heard this line before several times “ oiling out” what does that mean and what is this purpose? I think I have a clue, to resume an oil painting that has dried?

[@shellyenglandart]

I have this question too

[@brothergrimaldus3836]

Oiling out is the process of adding a thin layer of oil over a dry layer of paint to re-saturate the colors and simulate a wet, fresh layer of workable paint. The painter can then paint into the layer of oil and blend the paint more easily. The thin layer of oil also restores the color of any “sunken in” paint.

[@ToddSvendsen]

Appreciate all these tips 🙏🏼

[@vikasupadhyay1398]

Can we use whisky as a thinner in oil painting? I have ran out of turpentine so i want something readily available to thin my oil paint so that the base layer dries quickly

[@sketchingjohn1678]

Avoid the spray varnish AT ALL COSTS!!!! I think the turpentine/solvent is so strong that it even dissolves the upper layers and the painting can look weird. I've definitely had some paintings bubble with the spray varnish as well. The brush on varnish is the only way to go.

[@propheticpaintingsbysandra9760]

Very helpful! Thank you!

[@TheWipal]

im seeing such a good sale at my local art store buttt i really dont wanna be inhaling all sorts of stuff in my room ugh

[@plymouthtoleedsonaxchst9537]

Dangerous stuff,it almost killed me and it has caused almost blindless.

[@marialx7589]

@@plymouthtoleedsonaxchst9537 Really?

[@AnnikaBergmannArt]

There are non toxic versions of thinners etc. Just don't use anything with solvents - even "odorless" mineral spirits

[@Akil-]

I love to paint but, I would be lying if I said I didn't subscribe just because I seen that Steelers cup! 😁

[@journeytravelers5420]

Hi Chris , thank you for the segments , Q : how do you store your oil paint tubes in your studio . Thank you .

[@40bdg]

Helpful info, thank you! Could you address water mixable oils? In one of your previous videos you mentioned you didn't use any mediums, but if I want to work thin to thick, should I just use more water in the beginning, then gradually add less as I go along? Also, would it be a good idea to use the non toxic brush cleaner as thinner in these paints, or would that be bad ?

[@kozzietea]

I'm scared of gamsol because I don't have good ventilation. So I just use Linseed oil lol

[@lilymonster666]

Chris, I need you to do a vid about using water soluble oil paints. I impulse bought some and have no idea what I'm doing. Help me!!!!

[@paintcoach]

Ok will do

[@jasonanthonywilper]

Great video

[@mogalcat3091]

I'm working on a painting right now and decided to just use straight paint. Problem is it's real thick, and kinda hard to spread without using almost half a tube. Are some colours thicker than others? I find that titanium white is real thick. Somehow I can never seem to get my paint to flow like these guys on KZbin!

[@johannes-vollmer]

Isn't this exactly the point of using paint thinner? The first topic in this video?

[@-DaisyC-]

Thank goodness, cause I can't find linseed oil anywhere around here. Lol

[@davidgetchell630]

I got some from Michael's.

[@moonstonevase5963]

Y'all i tried to use distilled turpentine for oil paintings.... I hated it .. don't make the same mistake 💀😭 Edit 6 months later: I just got gamsol And I hope it works fine also if anyone knows any non toxic thinner plz lmk I'm trying to stay as safe as possible

[@Aliceoberdorf]

I’m new to oils. What should I put my brushes in while painting (cleanup being later).

[@davidgetchell630]

I whent from acrylics to oils just because of the slow dry.

[@JoyceAnderson-ChristianMusic]

H E L P PLEASE .....QUESTION: I'm changing from acrylics to all oils and I know with acrylics if you thin the paint with more than 20% or so of water you risk not having enough binder left to make the paint adhere after it dries and it can crack or peel off, taking top layers with it. Sooooo With OILS, I need to understand. What percentage of paint thinner to oils is safe on an underpainting, in order to keep the oils' binder still enough and safe and strong so that future layers of paint will adhere strongly and won't crack and fall off.

[@zenithgh2250]

Hey, how to get rid of excess oil added on canvas, I accidentally added too much linseed oil to correct a part that is only thinned with solvent

[@lynnie954]

I get to paint every couple or few days. The paint on my palette does not stay wet during that period. Is there a way to prevent the paint from drying out?

[@getawaywithfilm1362]

Talking about varnish I got a problem that occurs after I use retouch varnish: It seems like the varnish does dissolve parts of my painting and leave very litte white spots. Very hard to explain, but it seems like it occurs just on the parts where the canvas does stick out a little bit (there are some litte tiny bumps on my canvas) and on these bumps the varnish does dissolve the paint and leave them white, so I get little white spots all over my painting (I'm pretty sure my paintings are dry (to the touch) when I start using retouch varnish)) so it must be another thing... do you know what could be the problem? Cheers and thanks for your help!

[@srdjannalis3037]

I suspect that you know answer on this question. I am painting on reverse side of the glass with oil. This is as, i know, the most difficult technique of oil painting. Everything is reverse. Right side in nature for me is left side. Sky is paintig last when the picture is dry. I start with subject who are in first plan, wait that it dries, after subjects in second plan and so on. Drying of oil color for me is critical as painting of one picture last weeks, May i use some of fast drying media? I tried Royal Talens quick drying media. It happened that it extend drying time? Please HELP, THANKS.

[@eroscruz1196]

So I'm a beginner for this kind of medium. I'm kinda broke to buy mediums or solvents. Can I use water to thin oil paints? Or cooking oil?

[@jazzmin1967]

oil paint won’t mix with water if u put your brush into water literally no paint will come off and it will do absolutely nothing too your paint and cooking oil i used olive oil today and it worked a little bit i don’t recommend it i recommend using one he recommends too use do sum research on it tho that’s what i’m doing right now so i can go buy sun tm hope this helped!👍

[@manaralmousawi3032]

Is paint thinner safe? Idk if I’m worrying too much but better safe than sorry I guess

[@marymikel9193]

Sadly I do not believe there is actually a 100% non-toxic/safe paint thinner.

[@bettygunn3621]

With no medium how would I paint layers on trees . I am having trouble painting trees even after watching your video on trees. Highlights don't work for me they just mix into paint before HELP

[@HeatherWelk]

What is "cobalt"? Also; I get close to end adding the details, and that's when it starts to turn muddy or looks worse, and regret the last step.

[@mayanderson9664]

I am very very new to oil painting. I got a 24 pack for Christmas. So, even though I said I’m very new, I feel like this is a dumb question, but here it is anyway. Can I just use water like I would with acrylic paint?

[@666cowboy.]

Oil and water don't mix

[@artsiecrafty4164]

I never use thinner. A few drops of oil works fine without paint thinner.

[@sujanithtottempudi2991]

Chris..does bigger the canvas better the sale for painting?

[@lifeismusicparnadonkers]

I need my Safflower oil and my Linseed oil wen i am oil painting

[@kathleenrainear9478]

What is a good paint thinner to use that is fume less. Switching to water solvent oils as soon as possible, having problem with fumes of my odorless turpenoid. Someone recommended Walnut oil for a paint thinner.

[@richardennis5707]

How much paint do you buy at once?

[@shyaransart4852]

First coming here and very liking your artworks :-)

[@susishenanigans]

I was told by several artists that Gamvar is a varnish you can use when touch dry. Is that not true?

[@gerrianderson6397]

Can you use just Liquin and no paint thinner and no linseed oil? I have done complete paintings this way. I find linseed oil just makes the paint slippery vs Liquin that seems to thin it and dries a little faster (for layers).

[@fatimahassan8845]

Can I use turpentine as a paint thinner? As I'm a beginner and I don't know about mediums, and plz tell me how to clean brushes.

[@kristinafarley2244]

I am so thankful to have stumbled on your channel. Do you think it's possible to become a great painter if you've never been good at drawing?

[@paintcoach]

Kristina Farley well you can always get better at drawing. It just takes practice. And just by painting your drawing skills will improve bc you have to draw to paint. So yes I do think it’s possible bc I believe anyone can improve their drawing with practice which is necessary to be a great painter

[@kristinafarley2244]

@@paintcoach Thank you! :)

[@sketchingjohn1678]

@@kristinafarley2244 don't be too hard on yourself. Drawing is a lifelong process of improvement and you're probably better than you think. Also, art skills have a kind of symbiotic relationship: practicing drawing will make you into a better painter, and painting may make you want to spend more time on the drawing stage.

[@kristinafarley2244]

@@sketchingjohn1678 Excellent advice, I appreciate it!

[@hattorihanzo8385]

TINYALIEN!!!

[@BJBreukelman]

Thank you so much as always. I want to add glazes and transparent paints to my skill set. It's it something you buy or mix? Can you talk more about this? Thanks! BJ BREUKELMAN ("BROOK- ƏL-MAN) PHOENIX, Arizona

[@sujanithtottempudi2991]

What is opinion on Murphy oil soap

[@renadaniels8222]

Can I paint with out using oil or solvent

[@jazzmin1967]

what type of solution ig do i use to clean out my brushes after oil painting????? please helppp

[@arnavdalal05]

is turpentine a good paint thinner ????

[@Maria-vz1sm]

Could you do more simple tutorials like the apple on patreon for us beginners?

[@lilithart5614]

Do you have tutorials using only linseed oil and washing your brushes ?

[@jonmahashintina]

dont you already have like 30 different videos on mediums

[@paintcoach]

hahah pretty much but it's the most asked question I get

[@latinrenaissance4]

Wasn't that tiny alien 😭😭

[@alexshi9320]

Lol was he joking or did he actually not see tiny alien

[@oldmalayawatercolor849]

Tinya lien or tiny alien

[@brothergrimaldus3836]

Turn your volume down and project a bit more. That will help so we don't hear every swallow you take.

[@jennyyy2813]

Tiny alien 😭

[@shanechabot8789]

Tinyalien 😂