Cheap Liquin Alternatives For Oil Painting: Get The Gloss!

by Kenji Nakamura 59 views

Are you an oil painter looking for cost-effective solutions to speed up drying time and achieve that beautiful glossy finish? Alkyd mediums like Liquin are fantastic, but let's face it, they can be a bit pricey. And sometimes, you just can't find them at your local art store. Don't worry, fellow artists! This article dives into some fantastic and cheap alternatives to alkyd resins and Liquin that will help you achieve similar results without breaking the bank.

Understanding Alkyd Mediums and Their Benefits

Before we jump into the alternatives, let's quickly recap why alkyd mediums like Liquin are so popular in the first place. Alkyds are synthetic resins that are often added to oil paints to modify their properties. They offer a range of benefits, including:

  • Faster Drying Time: This is perhaps the biggest draw for alkyds. They significantly reduce the drying time of oil paints, allowing you to layer your work more quickly and finish projects faster. No more waiting days or weeks for a layer to dry!
  • Increased Gloss: Alkyds impart a lovely glossy finish to oil paintings, enhancing the vibrancy of the colors and creating a professional look.
  • Improved Flow and Blending: They make oil paints more fluid and easier to blend, resulting in smoother transitions and gradients.
  • Durability: Alkyds create a flexible and durable paint film, reducing the risk of cracking or yellowing over time.

Liquin, a popular brand of alkyd medium, is widely used by oil painters for these very reasons. However, the cost can add up, especially if you're a prolific artist or working on large-scale pieces. Plus, availability can sometimes be an issue depending on your location.

The Quest for Affordable Alternatives: Let's Get Creative!

So, what are the cheap alternatives? Let's explore some fantastic options that can help you achieve similar results to alkyds without emptying your wallet. We'll look at both traditional and less conventional methods, giving you a range of choices to experiment with.

1. Stand Oil: A Time-Tested Classic

Stand oil is a processed linseed oil that has been heated to a high temperature in the absence of air. This process thickens the oil and alters its properties, making it a wonderful alternative to alkyds. Here's why stand oil is a great choice:

  • Glossy Finish: Stand oil creates a beautiful, glossy finish that rivals that of alkyds. It enhances the richness and depth of your colors.
  • Improved Flow and Leveling: It makes oil paints flow more smoothly and self-level, reducing brushstrokes and creating a more even surface.
  • Reduced Brushstrokes: The leveling properties of stand oil help to minimize visible brushstrokes, resulting in a smoother, more polished look.
  • Increased Flexibility: Stand oil adds flexibility to the paint film, making it less prone to cracking.
  • Slower Drying Time (But Manageable): While stand oil does speed up drying time compared to regular linseed oil, it's not as fast as alkyds. However, the drying time is still significantly faster than using oil paint alone. You can expect your paintings to dry within a few days to a week, depending on the thickness of the paint layers and the ambient conditions.
  • Cost-Effective: Stand oil is generally more affordable than alkyd mediums, making it a budget-friendly option.

How to Use Stand Oil:

Stand oil can be used in several ways:

  • As a Medium: Mix a small amount of stand oil directly into your oil paints on your palette. Start with a small proportion (e.g., 10-20%) and adjust as needed to achieve the desired consistency and flow.
  • In Glazing: Stand oil is excellent for glazing techniques. Mix it with your transparent colors to create luminous layers of color.
  • As a Couch: Apply a thin layer of stand oil to your canvas before painting. This creates a slick surface that allows the paint to glide on smoothly.

Things to Keep in Mind:

  • Stand oil can cause some colors to yellow slightly over time, particularly whites and light blues. However, this yellowing is generally less pronounced than with linseed oil.
  • It's essential to use stand oil sparingly, as too much can make the paint film overly flexible and prone to wrinkling.

2. Walnut Oil: A Non-Yellowing Option

If you're concerned about yellowing, walnut oil is an excellent alternative. It's a drying oil that offers several benefits for oil painting:

  • Minimal Yellowing: Walnut oil yellows much less than linseed oil and stand oil, making it a great choice for preserving the purity of your colors, especially whites and blues.
  • Improved Flow and Blending: Like stand oil, walnut oil improves the flow and blending properties of oil paints.
  • Flexible Paint Film: It creates a flexible paint film that is less likely to crack.
  • Pleasant Odor: Walnut oil has a mild, pleasant odor, unlike the stronger smell of linseed oil.

How to Use Walnut Oil:

Walnut oil can be used in similar ways to stand oil:

  • As a Medium: Mix a small amount of walnut oil into your oil paints on your palette.
  • In Glazing: Use walnut oil for glazing to create luminous, non-yellowing layers.
  • For Cleaning Brushes: Walnut oil is an effective and non-toxic brush cleaner.

Things to Keep in Mind:

  • Walnut oil dries slightly slower than stand oil, but still faster than using oil paint alone.
  • It's generally more expensive than linseed oil, but often more affordable than alkyd mediums.

3. Linseed Oil + Dammar Varnish: A Traditional Approach

For centuries, oil painters have used a combination of linseed oil and dammar varnish to create a glossy and durable paint film. This traditional method offers a cost-effective way to achieve results similar to alkyds.

  • Linseed Oil: Linseed oil is a readily available and affordable drying oil that improves the flow and gloss of oil paints. It also helps to bind the pigments together.
  • Dammar Varnish: Dammar varnish is a natural resin dissolved in turpentine. It adds gloss and hardness to the paint film, making it more durable. It also helps to speed up drying time slightly.

How to Use Linseed Oil and Dammar Varnish:

  • Mixing the Medium: Create a medium by mixing equal parts of linseed oil and dammar varnish. You can adjust the proportions to suit your needs. For example, more linseed oil will create a glossier and more flexible paint film, while more dammar varnish will result in a harder and faster-drying film.
  • Adding to Paint: Mix a small amount of the medium into your oil paints on your palette.

Things to Keep in Mind:

  • Linseed oil yellows more than walnut oil, so it's best to use this combination with colors that are less susceptible to yellowing.
  • Dammar varnish is a natural resin and can become brittle over time. However, it's still a viable option for many artists.
  • Always work in a well-ventilated area when using turpentine, as it is a solvent with strong fumes.

4. Turpentine or Odorless Mineral Spirits: A Thinning Agent (Use with Caution!)

While not a direct replacement for alkyds, turpentine or odorless mineral spirits (OMS) can be used as thinning agents to improve the flow of oil paints and speed up drying time slightly. However, it's crucial to use these solvents with caution and in moderation.

  • Thinning Paint: Turpentine and OMS thin oil paints, making them easier to apply in thin layers. This can be helpful for underpainting and glazing techniques.
  • Slightly Faster Drying: Thinning the paint with a solvent can slightly speed up the drying process.

How to Use Turpentine or OMS:

  • Adding to Paint: Add a small amount of turpentine or OMS to your oil paints on your palette. Use sparingly, as too much solvent can weaken the paint film and make it brittle.
  • Cleaning Brushes: Turpentine and OMS are effective brush cleaners.

Things to Keep in Mind:

  • Solvents can dissolve the oil binder in the paint, making it lean and less durable if used in excess. Always follow the fat over lean rule, using more oil in subsequent layers.
  • Turpentine has strong fumes and can be irritating. Odorless mineral spirits are a less toxic alternative, but still, require adequate ventilation.
  • Solvents should be used with caution and in moderation. They are not a direct replacement for alkyd mediums.

5. Galkyd Lite: A Liquin Alternative within the Alkyd Family

If you are still leaning towards alkyd mediums but looking for a cheaper option than Liquin, Galkyd Lite by Gamblin is worth considering. It is another alkyd medium that offers similar benefits to Liquin but at a potentially lower price point.

  • Faster Drying Time: Like Liquin, Galkyd Lite speeds up the drying time of oil paints.
  • Increased Gloss: It imparts a glossy finish to your paintings.
  • Improved Flow and Blending: Galkyd Lite makes oil paints more fluid and easier to blend.

How to Use Galkyd Lite:

Galkyd Lite can be used in the same way as Liquin:

  • As a Medium: Mix a small amount of Galkyd Lite into your oil paints on your palette.
  • In Glazing: Use Galkyd Lite for glazing techniques.

Things to Keep in Mind:

  • While Galkyd Lite is generally more affordable than Liquin, it's still more expensive than traditional oil painting mediums like stand oil or walnut oil.
  • It's essential to compare prices at your local art stores or online to determine if Galkyd Lite is a cost-effective option for you.

Choosing the Right Alternative for You

With so many options available, how do you choose the right alkyd alternative for your needs? Here's a quick guide to help you decide:

  • For a glossy finish and improved flow: Stand oil is a great choice.
  • For minimal yellowing: Walnut oil is the best option.
  • For a traditional approach: Linseed oil and dammar varnish offer a time-tested solution.
  • For thinning paint (with caution): Turpentine or odorless mineral spirits can be used sparingly.
  • For a cheaper alkyd option: Galkyd Lite is worth considering.

Ultimately, the best way to find the perfect alternative is to experiment! Try different mediums and combinations to see what works best for your painting style and preferences. Don't be afraid to mix and match mediums to achieve your desired results.

Final Thoughts: Embrace the Possibilities!

Finding cheap alternatives to alkyd mediums like Liquin doesn't mean compromising on quality. There are many fantastic options available that can help you achieve beautiful results without breaking the bank. Whether you choose stand oil, walnut oil, a traditional linseed oil and dammar varnish mixture, or Galkyd Lite, remember to experiment and have fun! Oil painting is all about exploration and discovery, so embrace the possibilities and create your masterpieces!