Do you need mediums if paint with oil color?

Yes, mediums are necessary when painting with oil colors. Oil colors are made from pigments suspended in drying oils, such as linseed oil or poppy seed oil. These oils take a long time to dry, which can make it difficult to blend colors and create smooth transitions. Mediums can be used to speed up the drying time of oil colors, improve their flow and consistency, and create different effects.

Some of the most common mediums used with oil colors include:

* Mineral spirits: This is a volatile solvent that can be used to thin oil colors and clean brushes. It evaporates quickly, so it does not affect the drying time of oil colors.

* Linseed oil: This is a drying oil that can be used to thin oil colors and make them more fluid. It also helps to improve the adhesion of oil colors to the canvas.

* Poppy seed oil: This is a drying oil that is similar to linseed oil, but it dries more slowly. It is often used in combination with linseed oil to create a medium that has a longer drying time.

* Stand oil: This is a highly refined linseed oil that dries very slowly. It is often used for glazing and creating smooth transitions between colors.

* Galkyd: This is a synthetic medium that dries quickly and can be used to speed up the drying time of oil colors. It also improves the flow and leveling of oil colors.

There are many different types of mediums available, and each one can be used to create different effects. It is important to experiment with different mediums to find the ones that work best for your painting style.