Oil Painting Mediums each have their own purpose and the artists chooses which they will use based on their particular need. The mediums will thin or thicken oil colour, make it dry faster or slower, glossier or more matte. All mediums contain oil or resin that fulfills the basic oil painting rule of ‘fat over lean’, meaning that if you paint in layers you should add more oil or medium to each successive layer to insure a good structure that will dry properly and will not crack.
At Jackson’s Art Supplies we understand that artists are looking for the best materials at the best prices. To answer this need we have created ranges of our own brand art materials. The Jackson’s brand means good quality and excellent value. Our range of painting mediums for use with oil colours is no exception.
Artist Hannah Ivory Baker has painted using all the different Jackson’s Oil Painting Mediums in order to help describe them and how they perform so other artists will know what they can expect from the products. Read all the reviews.
This review is of the Jackson’s Fast Drying Oil Medium, which is available in four sizes of tin.
Hannah Ivory Baker reviews
Jackson’s Fast Drying Oil Medium
As I mainly complete my work in one sitting I tend to avoid creating a typical tonal under painting in order to reduce the chance of making colours ‘muddy’ when developing the painting. I also do a lot of plein air work in which I ‘leapfrog’ this initial stage (I put this down to both excitement and impatience) in order to capture and record details and shadows quickly, as light outdoors is constantly changing.
I usually start by laying a small amount of a medium on the canvas and then applying my colours fairly liberally and without being too exact. The small amount of medium applied to the canvas simply allows me to blend colour and move the paint around with ease. In this method the delays associated with the term ‘drying time’ do not really apply. However, I often pre-prepare boards, canvases, papers etc. with some colour and take them out with me. In my studio I also have a load of canvases and boards prepared with colour, ready to be painted on at a later time. Generally, the idea of colouring boards / canvas does appeal to me as does creating an under painting, it’s just that I don’t really find this possible in one sitting. So, in terms of reviewing this medium my main consideration was pretty obvious… how quickly it dries!

Under painting using Raw Umber, Burnt Umber & Payne’s Grey. Also started applying some colour to the Leek
In order to test it out, I did a quick still life sketch using Raw Umber, Burnt Umber, a little Payne’s Grey and the Jackson’s Fast Drying Oil Medium to create my under painting. At this point I paused to make a cup of Tea and updated my iTunes playlist (no more than 10-15mins) When I returned to the painting (and much to my delight) it was more than dry enough to work over.

Hannah Ivory Baker
‘Leek & Red Onion’
Finished painting. Took no more than 35mins from start to finish.
My findings were as follows:
• Absolutely perfect for thin washes, sketches and under painting and it can be worked on very shortly after.
• As it reduces the consistency of paint quite considerably, it is obviously unsuitable if you want to apply paint in thicker layers.
• Does not increase gloss. The paint had a matte finish when mixed with the medium.
• Only £12.50 for 1 litre – It is excellent value and the medium goes a long way. I didn’t need to use much of it to cover the area of canvas I was working on.
• Works well with oil bars, you can achieve some almost watercolour style washes that dry extremely quickly!
I have used this medium fairly regularly over the past few weeks and find it incredibly useful. On a personal note and as a plein air, alla prima artist I can happily say that it will accompany my easel and I on our travels to various scenic spots around London and the South West, from this point forward. I feel that anything which enables me to work quickly, decreasing drying time is extremely useful. That being said, I strongly believe that no matter what method of oil painting you use there is a place for this medium.
Artist Hannah Ivory Baker is a prolific oil painter and her paintings are among the most highly rated by other artists who use the social media account Twitter. Her work is energetic and exciting!
Hannah Ivory Baker has work in a group exhibition on at the moment:
‘Summer Farrago’ at
Highgate Contemporary Art
27th June – 6th September 2014
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