Artists mix certain media with paint to achieve various artistic effects. Gel medium alters the consistency of paint, adding sheen and volume, and making texture from brush and knife marks more visible. It also increases the drying time, giving the artist more time to create the desired effects. The ingredients of gel medium vary, but it always consists of a thinner and a drying oil. Gel medium is available for purchase at art supply stores and online, but some artists prefer to make it themselves. Homemade gel medium gives you control over the ingredients so they can change the characteristics of the paint in a specific way.
Simple Recipe for Thinning Paint
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One type of gel medium thins paint, which allows the artist to build layers of paint over each other. Many paint manufacturers sell it premixed, but mixing it yourself lets you control the ratio of thinner to oil in the layers of paint you add to the project.
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Things You'll Need
Linseed oil, poppy oil or stand oil
Turpentine
To begin, create a mixture of 60 percent oil and 40 percent turpentine. As layers of paint are built up over one another, gradually reduce the percentage of turpentine. This will increase the drying time of the paint, but it will give the gel medium more body as you build the layers of paint.
Warning
This mixture not only increases the drying time of the paint, but it can also thin the paint so much that it runs down the canvas.
Simple Recipe for Thickening Paint
Artists want to thicken their paint when using an impasto technique -- the process of laying paint on thickly so that it stands out from the surface.
Things You'll Need
Beeswax
Rectified turpentine
Step 1: Mix It
Mix 1 part beeswax with 3 parts rectified turpentine.
Step 2: Heat It
Heat the mixture in a double boiler until the wax is completely dissolved.
Step 3: Store It
Pour the mixture into a wide-mouth container.
Tip
This gel medium can be worked for more than 30 minutes after application.
Recipe for Layering Colors
Artists who want to apply colors over one another without the colors mixing can create a gel medium using copal varnish. This recipe produces a hard and durable finish, but it can also be somewhat brittle.
Things You'll Need
Copal varnish
Turpentine
Linseed oil
Mix 1 part copal varnish with 1 part turpentine and 1 part linseed oil.
Tip
If the copal varnish you use contains driers, the drying time will be about two hours. If it doesn't contain dryers, expect the paint to take one to two days to dry.
Recipe for an Enamel-Like Finish
If you want a thick, enamel-like medium that makes the paint clear and brilliant, make a gel medium from Venice turpentine, which has a honey-like consistency.
Things You'll Need
Stand oil
Venice turpentine
Concentrated dammar varnish
Gum turpentine
Cobalt-zirconium dryer
Step 1: Mix It
Mix 2 parts stand oil with 1 part Venice turpentine and 4 parts concentrated dammar varnish in a clean glass container at room temperature. Shake vigorously for five to 10 minutes.
Step 2: Thicken It
Adjust the viscosity of the mixture by adding gum turpentine.
Step 3: Add a Drying Agent
This medium is very thick and sticky, so it can take several days to dry completely. Add a few drops of cobalt-zirconium dryer to reduce the drying time.