Oleo Resin Medium

Materials Needed:

1. Oil paints
2. Brushes and palette knives
3. Palette
4. Michael Harding PM5 Oleo Resin Medium
5. Canvas or painting surface

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Prepare Your Palette:
   • Squeeze out the oil paints you plan to use onto your palette.
2. Add the Medium:
   • Pour a small amount of Michael Harding PM5 Oleo Resin Medium into a separate container or onto a clean area of your palette. You can always add more as needed.
3. Mix the Medium with Paint:
   • Use a brush or palette knife to mix the Oleo Resin Medium with your oil paint. Start with a small amount of medium and gradually add more until you achieve the desired consistency. The medium will make the paint more fluid, transparent, and glossy.
4. Apply the Paint:
   • Apply the mixture to your canvas using a brush or palette knife. The medium will enhance the flow of the paint, making it easier to create smooth, even layers or detailed glazes.
5. Layering and Glazing:
   • For glazing, use thin layers of paint mixed with the medium to build up depth and richness in your painting. Allow each layer to dry before applying the next. For thicker applications, you can still use the medium to maintain a smooth, glossy finish.
6. Drying Time:
   • The Oleo Resin Medium will slightly speed up the drying time of your oil paints compared to using paint alone. This allows for quicker layering and glazing, but keep in mind that it still retains some flexibility for blending and working wet-on-wet.
7. Clean Up:
   • Clean your brushes and palette knives with a suitable solvent for oil paints, such as MH Miracle Medium or turpentine, followed by soap and water.

Tips for Best Results:

• Experiment with Ratios: Start with a small amount of medium and adjust the ratio to find the right balance for your painting technique. More medium will increase transparency and flow, while less will maintain more of the paint’s original body.
• Smooth Transitions: Use the medium to create smooth gradients and transitions in your painting. It’s especially useful for blending colors seamlessly.
• Enhance Gloss: The medium adds a glossy finish to the paint, which can be beneficial for final layers or specific highlights.
• Use Soft Brushes: For glazing and smooth applications, use soft brushes to avoid visible brushstrokes and achieve a more refined finish.
• Keep Layers Thin: When glazing, keep layers thin to build up depth gradually without losing the luminosity of the underlying layers.

Using Michael Harding PM5 Oleo Resin Medium can significantly enhance the quality and versatility of your oil painting, allowing for a wide range of techniques from fine glazing to rich, glossy layers.