FAQ – The Miracle Medium™ Range
Miracle Medium Breakdown:
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MM0: This is a solvent-rich medium designed for the initial layers. While it can replace turpentine, it has a bit more body than pure solvent. It’s ideal for blocking in shapes and laying down the foundational layers, but it won’t evaporate as quickly as turpentine and provides better control without being overly lean.
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MM1: This medium is a 50/50 mix of oil and solvent, perfect for mid-layers. It adds a bit more oil to the paint, balancing fluidity and gloss, which makes it great for building up the painting’s structure while maintaining moderate oil content for safe layering.
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MM2: MM2 is oil-rich and should be used for finishing layers, adding gloss, transparency, and a smooth finish. It’s ideal for glazing and final touches, ensuring that the fat-over-lean principle is maintained in the uppermost layers.
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MM3: This medium is ideal for impasto work and thicker applications. It offers more body, allowing you to create texture while still maintaining flexibility. MM3 is perfect for artists who want to build up the paint using a palette knife or heavier brushwork.
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MM4: Similar to MM3, MM4 also provides extra body for impasto techniques, but with an even more substantial thickness. It allows for bold, textured applications and retains flexibility even in thick layers. MM4 is great for artists experimenting with dramatic, three-dimensional effects in their paintings.
Flexible Use of Miracle Mediums
You’re not required to use all the Miracle Mediums in a set sequence—MM0, MM1, MM2, MM3, and MM4 can all be used independently depending on the needs of your painting. For example, if you’re focusing on the final layers and only need the qualities of MM2, you can skip MM0 and MM1 entirely. These mediums are designed to work both together and separately to suit your technique and artistic goals.
Fat Over Lean Principle
As with traditional oil painting, following the “fat over lean” principle is crucial. This ensures that the upper layers of your painting contain more oil than the lower ones, preventing cracking as the painting dries. By increasing the oil content progressively with Miracle Mediums, your painting remains durable and flexible.
Surface Cracking and Layering
Cracking can occur when leaner layers are applied over fatter ones, but using Miracle Mediums correctly will help you avoid this. Whether you use them independently or in sequence, just ensure that the fat-over-lean principle is followed.
Ratios and Usage
Each Miracle Medium has a specific solvent-to-oil ratio, making it ideal for different layers:
- MM0: Solvent-rich for lean layers (thinner, initial layers)
- MM1: Balanced 50/50 mix of oil and solvent (for mid-layers)
- MM2: Oil-rich for finishing layers (final, glazing layers)
- MM3 & MM4: Thick mediums ideal for impasto, providing body and texture with flexibility
Always remember to check the product labels or our website for recommended amounts to add to your mixtures, and do not exceed the suggested quantities to avoid altering drying times or structural issues.
Additional Resources
For more in-depth information, including demonstrations from Michael Harding himself, here are a couple of helpful videos:
These videos should help clarify any further questions and provide a visual demonstration.
Q – What products are in the Miracle Medium™ Range?
There are currently five products in the Miracle Medium™ Range:
(MM0) MIRACLE MEDIUM™
(MM1) MIRACLE MEDIUM™ OIL PAINT MEDIUM
(MM2) MIRACLE MEDIUM™ QUICK DRYING DAMMAR GLAZE
(MM3) MIRACLE MEDIUM™ RESIN-OIL WAX
(MM4) MIRACLE MEDIUM™ BEESWAX PASTE
Q – Which products in the Miracle Medium™ Range are solvent free?
All the products in the Miracle Medium™ range are solvent free and plant based.
Q – Which Products in the Miracle Medium™ Range are vegan?
Three out of five of the products in the Miracle Medium™ Range are solvent three. They are: (MM0) MIRACLE MEDIUM™
(MM1) MIRACLE MEDIUM™ OIL PAINT MEDIUM
(MM2) MIRACLE MEDIUM™ QUICK DRYING DAMMAR GLAZE
The two products that are not vegan are:
(MM3) MIRACLE MEDIUM™ RESIN-OIL WAX
(MM4) MIRACLE MEDIUM™ BEESWAX PASTE
Q – Which Miracle Medium™ Products will speed up drying time?
(MM2) MIRACLE MEDIUM™ QUICK DRYING DAMMAR GLAZE contains a cobalt free drier that will speed up drying times.
(MM0) MIRACLE MEDIUM™ – CAN EXTEND DRYING TIME. ADD 5-10% TO OIL COLOUR AS NEEDED.
Q – What are the differences between the Miracle Medium™ Products?
Here’s a breakdown of the differences between the Michael Harding Miracle Mediums:
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Miracle Medium (MM0)
- Purpose: This is the original medium in the Miracle Medium range and is designed to improve the flow and consistency of oil paints without altering the drying time.
- Key Features:
- Increases gloss and depth in color.
- Keeps the paint’s natural characteristics.
- Ideal for artists looking to enhance the flow and smoothness without affecting the drying time.
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Miracle Medium Oil Paint Medium (MM1)
- Purpose: A medium aimed specifically at improving the texture of oil paints for smoother application.
- Key Features:
- Enhances paint fluidity.
- Allows for longer blending and working time.
- Slightly increases gloss.
- Useful for artists wanting an extended working time.
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Miracle Medium Quick Dry Dammar Glaze (MM2)
- Purpose: This medium is designed to speed up drying times and give a high gloss finish.
- Key Features:
- Contains Dammar resin, known for its gloss.
- Speeds up drying times significantly.
- Ideal for artists who need a faster drying solution but still want a glossy finish.
- It is useful for glazing techniques due to its quick-drying properties.
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Miracle Medium Resin Oil Wax (MM3)
- Purpose: A wax-based medium designed to give a satin finish and allow impasto work to dry faster without cracking.
- Key Features:
- Adds a satin sheen to the painting surface.
- Increases body and texture in the paint, suitable for impasto.
- Speeds up drying while maintaining flexibility and reducing the chance of cracking.
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Miracle Medium Beeswax Paste (MM4)
- Purpose: A beeswax-based medium for thickening and matting oil paint, giving a softer texture and matte finish.
- Key Features:
- Thickens paint and allows for a more controlled application.
- Reduces gloss, producing a matte finish.
- Ideal for artists who prefer a more matte surface and want to thicken their paints for textured applications.
Q – Are the Miracle Mediums™ solvent-free?
Yes, all five products in the range are solvent-free, meaning they are safer alternatives to traditional oil mediums, eliminating harmful fumes in your studio
Q – Which Miracle Medium™ is best for speeding up drying times?
The MM2 Quick Dry Dammar Glaze is designed to accelerate drying, thanks to its fast-acting driers, making it ideal for glazing techniques and high-gloss finishes.
Q – Can Miracle Mediums™ be mixed together?
Yes, the Miracle Medium range, especially MM0, was designed as a plant-based alternative to solvents like turpentine. You can use these mediums to thin oil paints or even clean brushes, providing an eco-friendly solution.
Q – Can Miracle Mediums™ be used in place of traditional solvents?
Yes, mixing different mediums can help you customise the texture, drying time, and finish to suit your needs. For example, you can combine MM0 for better flow with MM3 for more body and texture.
Q – Will Miracle Mediums™ affect the colour of my oil paints?
None of the mediums in the Miracle Medium range will change the hue or saturation of your oil paints. They are designed to maintain the natural vibrancy and consistency of the colours, whether you’re looking for a glossy, satin, or matte finish
Q – Can I use Miracle Mediums™ with other oil painting brands?
Yes, all Miracle Mediums can be used with any traditional oil paints, regardless of the brand. They’re formulated to complement oil paints in general, providing flexibility and versatility in your work.
Q – Which Miracle Medium™ is best for impasto techniques?
If you’re aiming for a thick, textured impasto effect, MM3 (Resin-Oil Wax) and MM4 (Beeswax Paste) are ideal. Both provide body and texture to the paint, with MM3 offering a satin finish and faster drying, while MM4 creates a matte surface with enhanced thickness.
Q – How should I store Miracle Mediums™?
It’s best to store the mediums in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight and heat. The airtight containers will help maintain their integrity for longer periods.
Q – Can I dispose of rags used with Miracle Mediums™ in regular waste?
While the Miracle Mediums are non-toxic, it’s still important to dispose of rags and other materials soaked with these products responsibly, following local disposal guidelines to avoid environmental harm.
