Linseed Oil

5x7

Some oil painters use a medium and some use the paint as it is out of the tube.  I am

a medium user.  A medium, depending on the kind, will thin the paint and

make it flow better and often add a bit of gloss. 

When I painted in college (the whole 1 semester I had!)  we used copal.  I really liked it, but

I doubt it was very healthy for our young lungs.  However, we did not

worry about those things then.  I don't think anyone realized the importance

of handling the materials with caution.  To make a point, almost everyone paints

wearing gloves, something I did not see years ago.

About a year ago, I only used linseed oil mixed with a little gamsol (orderless turps), hence the

half empty bottle.  Then someone introduced me to liquin which I had always

resisted because of the way it looks.  I'm such a princess!

Liquin thins the paint, provides a soft gloss, and hastens drying--so I am

now a convert.

Someday I'll probably dig out the linseed oil again...we painters are like that. We go

back and forth with out supplies.