PM7 – For Oil Paint

Oleo Impasto Medium

Ⓥ VEGAN | SOLVENT FREE | NON-TOXIC

My Oleo Impasto Medium is a gel made from fumed silica and linseed oil, the combination of which imparts great luminosity, particularly with transparent colours. Use this in varying amounts with a brush or knife to achieve extra body.

This medium has an average drying speed and increases the transparency of oil colours. Pigment can be added and ground to make your own oil paints.

Michael Harding Napthol Red artists' quality oil paint

You can add it with a brush or knife, in varying amounts, to achieve extra body.

Over the years, many artists have asked for ways to extend their paint. This is something I frown upon because extenders often make paint more vulnerable. But given the demand, I’ve formulated something to my liking that has a pleasant linseed oil scent.

Mix it with Quinacridone Gold and be astonished!

Recommendation: Add 10-20% to neat oil colour as required.

Available in 100ml, 250ml, and 1 litre

Michael Harding Oleo Impasto Medium is designed to add body and texture to oil paint, allowing artists to create thick, impasto effects with ease. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to use this medium in your oil painting:

Materials Needed:

  1. Oil paints
  2. Brushes and palette knives
  3. Palette
  4. Michael Harding Oleo Impasto 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:

    • Place a small amount of Michael Harding Oleo Impasto Medium next to your oil paints on the palette. You don’t need much, as a little goes a long way.

  3. Mix the Medium with Paint:

    • Use a palette knife or brush to mix the Oleo Impasto Medium with your oil paint. Start with a small amount of medium and gradually add more if needed. The medium will thicken the paint and increase its volume, allowing for more textured application.

  4. Apply the Paint:

    • Apply the thickened paint to your canvas using a brush or palette knife. The medium enhances the body of the paint, making it ideal for impasto techniques where you want to create raised, textured surfaces.

  5. Build Layers:

    • You can build up layers of paint with the Oleo Impasto Medium. Allow each layer to dry partially if you’re working on a large area, or keep working wet-on-wet for blending and smooth transitions.

  6. Drying Time:

    • The Oleo Impasto Medium will extend the drying time of your oil paints slightly, giving you more time to work and manipulate the paint. Keep this in mind when planning your painting sessions.

  7. Clean Up:

    • Wipe off any excess paint from your brushes, palette and palette knives, then clean your brushes, palette and palette knives with a solvent suitable for oil paints, such as MH Miracle Medium, or turpentine, followed by soap and water.

Tips for Best Results:

  • Experiment: Start with small amounts of the medium to understand how it affects the consistency of your paint. Adjust the ratio according to your desired texture.
  • Layering: For very thick applications, consider working in layers, allowing each to dry to avoid cracking.
  • Brushes vs. Palette Knives: Use different tools to achieve various textures. Brushes can give a more controlled texture, while palette knives can create bolder, more pronounced strokes.
  • Storage: Keep the medium tightly closed when not in use to prevent it from drying out or becoming contaminated.

Using Michael Harding Oleo Impasto Medium can greatly enhance the texture and dimensionality of your oil paintings, allowing for expressive, bold applications of color and texture.