FAQ – Mediums

Do I need to use mediums with my MH Oil Paints? 

No, you do not need to use a medium with MH Oil Paints. You can use MH straight from the tube without adding any mediums if you wish.

I also make glaze mediums, varnishes, and additional oils to complement my oil paints. These can be used to follow artist’s painting techniques or to achieve a certain finish, should you wish.

Will varnishing a painting stop a painting from crumbling in the future?

No, varnish is just a layer to catch atmospheric dirt. Paint will generally last longer without a medium, as the more things you put into the paint the greater the chance something will go wrong. Sound supports, sound primers, and sound paints are the way to make things last; the varnish is just a temporary coat of protection.

Which oil paint medium is most effective in preventing or minimizing yellowing over time?

To minimise the occurrence of yellowing in your white oil paintings, it’s important to choose oil paint mediums that have a low tendency to yellow over time. Here are a few options you can consider:

1. Refined Linseed Oil: Refined linseed oil is a commonly used medium that tends to have a lower chance of yellowing compared to raw linseed oil. It dries to a clear, flexible film and is compatible with most oil paints.

2. Stand Oil: Stand oil is a thickened form of linseed oil that is heated during the refining process. It has a honey-like consistency and dries to a clear, glossy finish. Stand oil is less prone to yellowing than raw linseed oil but dries more slowly.

3. Safflower Oil: Safflower oil is a pale, low-yellowing oil that can be used as a medium for oil paints. It has a relatively slow drying time and produces a softer, more flexible film compared to linseed oil.

4. Walnut Oil: Walnut oil is another oil medium that has a lower tendency to yellow over time. It dries to a clear, semi-gloss finish and is known for its rich, buttery consistency. Walnut oil has a moderate drying time.

When using these oil mediums, it’s important to note that any oil paint will have some degree of yellowing potential over time due to the nature of the drying process. However, by selecting oil mediums with a lower likelihood of yellowing and taking proper care of your paintings (such as protecting them from direct sunlight and excessive humidity), you can help minimize the yellowing effect.

Q. What are the main ingredients used in Michael Harding oil paint mediums and oils?

A: Here at Michael Harding, we pride ourselves on honesty; there are no hidden or secret ingredients in this beautifully crafted medium range. Each medium has the ingredients printed on the front of the label. The mainstay in the PM range is Refined Linseed Stand Oil, a viscous, pale oil medium extracted from linseed. It will level out brushstrokes in oil paint and slow the drying process. Refined Linseed Stand Oil has a honey-like viscosity. For more information, please visit our website www.michaelharding.co.uk.

Q. How do Michael Harding oil paint mediums and oils differ from other brands on the market?

A: Our mediums are a high-end product. Why would you add an inferior medium to a top-end oil paint? They facilitate superior colour blending and effortless brush control.

Michael’s commitment to producing artist materials of the highest quality and to utilizing techniques that have been refined over centuries, dating back to the era of the Old Masters, sets our products apart. By employing these time-honoured techniques, Michael Harding has not just created a leading oil paint range that is true and vibrant but also a medium range that is beautifully durable and covers most glazing and layering techniques, enhancing an already beautiful range of oils.

Q. Are Michael Harding oil paint mediums and oils compatible with other brands of oil paints?

A: Yes, for years, artists have had their preferences when it comes to colours, consistencies, and brands, and often, artists will use more than one brand at a time.

Q. What are the drying times of Michael Harding oil paint mediums and oils?

A: The drying time for each product will vary depending on which medium or oil is used. While something like Refined Linseed Stand Oil would slow drying times, adding PM2 Dammar Glaze Medium would speed up drying times. For more information, please visit the specific product page you would like to know more about on our website www.michaelharding.co.uk.

Q. Are there specific techniques or applications where Michael Harding oil paint mediums and oils excel?

A: Our oils and mediums excel in every technique and application.

Q. How do Michael Harding oil paint mediums and oils affect the texture and finish of the final artwork?

A: Each product has its different properties, textures, and effects, depending on which product is used. This question would have a different answer for each one. Please go to the Mediums, Oils, and Varnishes tabs for information on each product.

Q. Are Michael Harding oil paint mediums and oils suitable for use with different painting surfaces (e.g., canvas, wood, paper)?

A: Yes. If the substrate is good for the paint, then it is likely to be good for the medium, if the surface is sound and sealed.

Q. Do Michael Harding oil paint mediums and oils have any special properties that make them stand out in the market?

A: Most of our products are do not contain animal derivatives (therefore are vegan) and are solvent free. We strongly employ ethical and sustainable practices in everything that we do.

Michael has not just created a leading oil paint range that is true and vibrant but also a medium range that is beautifully durable and covers most glazing and layering techniques, enhancing an already beautiful range of oil paints.

Q. Are Michael Harding oil paint mediums and oils safe to use and environmentally friendly?

A: The harshest ingredient in our mediums (PM range) is Gum Turpentine. We offer an MH miracle medium range that seamlessly replaces traditional turpentine in artists’ studios.

Michael Harding Solvent-Free Mediums: Miracle Medium Range crafted for artists seeking safer, eco-friendly alternatives to traditional solvents. Derived from renewable vegetable sources, our Miracle Medium offers an odourless formula, eliminating the need for solvents in your studio. With MH miracle medium, artists can enjoy a studio environment free from harmful effects associated with solvents. The Miracle Medium plant-based range not only ensures environmental sustainability but also creates a safer space for artists and their loved ones for years to come. For more information, please visit our website www.michaelharding.co.uk.

Q. How do artists properly clean their brushes and tools when using Michael Harding oil paint mediums and oils?

A: There are a few ways to clean up afterward: the old traditional way of soap and warm water, solvents including Gum Turpentine, or Michael Harding MM0 Miracle Medium; a solvent-free, odourless, vegan, and plant-based Medium that serves as an alternative to traditional turpentine. This medium offers artists a natural and sustainable option for thinning oil paints and cleaning brushes without the use of harsh chemicals or toxic fumes.

Q. Are there any specific tips or recommendations for artists using Michael Harding oil paint mediums and oils for the first time?

A: Yes, firstly enjoy your purchase and thank you for choosing Michael Harding; you will not be disappointed. Secondly, read the product label carefully for recommendations and guidance. For more information, please visit our website www.michaelharding.co.uk.

Q. Can Michael Harding oil paint mediums and oils be used for both traditional and contemporary painting styles?

A: Yes. Through the Renaissance, artists worked with combinations of tree resins, thickened vegetable oils, waxes, and balsams. The exact organization of these raw materials is open to speculation and may differ from one artist to another—even within an individual artist’s practice. Read more about the history and use of mediums.

Q. Are there any specific health or safety precautions artists should be aware of when using Michael Harding oil paint mediums and oils?

A: Each product, as you would expect, may have different guidance. The precautions can be found on each label, and more information can be found by visiting our website www.michaelharding.co.uk.

SAFETY NOTE: Soft materials that have absorbed linseed oil should be stored in sealed containers, as the oil will oxidize when exposed to air. This chemical reaction releases so much heat that rags may spontaneously combust. Make sure the lid of the container is closed securely and stored in a cool place. Brushes and tools used with linseed oil should be cleaned thoroughly with white spirit.

We are proud to introduce the Michael Harding Miracle Medium range; this Solvent-Free product range offers a safe and environmentally conscious solution for artists as an alternative to traditional solvents. Crafted from renewable vegetable sources, MH miracle medium not only benefits the environment but also ensures a workspace free from exposure to toxic fumes typically associated with conventional solvents. By choosing MH Miracle Medium products, artists can enjoy a safer and more comfortable environment, allowing them to fully concentrate on their creative pursuits without compromising their well-being.

This versatile range facilitates superior colour blending, effortless brush control, and easy clean-up, enabling artists to elevate the quality of their artwork without the use of solvents.

MH miracle medium seamlessly replaces traditional turpentine in artists’ studios.

Q. How do Michael Harding oil paint mediums and oils perform in terms of colour intensity and permanence?

A: Add a little extra to your paintings by using Michael Harding paint mediums; add depth and beauty to your painting by using PM1. PM2 is designed to create gloss and depth, while PM3 creates a satin sheen and gentle impasto in paint layers. PM4 increases the body of oil colour with a satin-matte finish. PM5 provides high gloss levels while imparting depth to paint films, and PM6 enhances depth, gloss, and lustre. PM7 offers luminosity to achieve extra body, V1 brings out the best in opaque and semi-opaque colours, and V2 provides a long-lasting, protective coating with a beautiful matte finish.

Q. Are there any recommended storage conditions for preserving the quality of Michael Harding oil paint mediums and oils?

A: Yes, we recommend storing oils and mediums out of direct sunlight, as this could affect the properties of some products. Even though we have taken great care to house some of our larger oils and mediums in amber glass, it is still wise to store them in darkness, as direct sunlight could cause clouding.

SAFETY NOTE: Soft materials that have absorbed linseed oil should be stored in sealed containers, as the oil will oxidize when exposed to air. This chemical reaction releases so much heat that rags may spontaneously combust. Make sure the lid of the container is closed securely and stored in a cool place. Brushes and tools used with linseed oil should be cleaned thoroughly with white spirit.

Q. Do Michael Harding oil paint mediums and oils have a strong odour, and is there a way to minimize it during use?

A: Michael Harding Oils and Mediums do not have any strong odours. Asides from Gum Turpentine, which is recommended to be used in a well-ventilated space. Keep away from heat and flames, as turpentine is a volatile and toxic material; please exercise caution when using this product.

Q. Can Michael Harding oil paint mediums and oils be used for glazing or layering techniques?

A: Michael has created, on request, a great range of mediums to cover most glazing and layering techniques. For more information, please visit our website www.michaelharding.co.uk.

PM1 adds depth and beauty to your painting,
PM2 is designed to create gloss and depth,
PM3 creates a satin sheen and gentle impasto in paint layers, and
PM4 increases the body of oil colour with a satin-matte finish.
PM5 provides high gloss levels while imparting depth to paint films,
PM6 enhances depth, gloss, and lustre, and
PM7 offers luminosity to achieve extra body.

V1 brings out the best in opaque and semi-opaque colours, while V2 provides a long-lasting, protective coating with a beautiful matte finish.

Q. Are there any specific recommendations for varnishing or protecting artwork created with Michael Harding oil paint mediums and oils?

A: There are no specific recommendations for varnishes and mediums, as each product has its own personality and characteristics. It is advised that when varnishing, apply varnish as a final picture varnish to thoroughly dried oil paint.

V1: Please be sure to have allowed your painting to dry for a minimum of six months, or if the paint is very thick, one year. Please ensure you are working in a well-ventilated space.

V2: Before using, heat the container until the contents become clear; then apply one thin coat. Apply this varnish as a final picture varnish to thoroughly dried oil paint. This product, when applied as directed above, will dry within minutes. Please ensure you are working in a well-ventilated space.

Q. What sets Michael Harding oil paint mediums and oils apart in terms of quality and performance compared to other brands on the market?

A: Michael’s commitment to producing artist materials of the highest quality and to utilizing techniques that have been refined over centuries, dating back to the era of the Old Masters, set our products apart. By employing these time-honoured techniques, Michael Harding has not just created a leading oil paint range that is true and vibrant, but also a medium range that is beautifully durable and covers most glazing and layering techniques, enhancing an already beautiful range of oils.