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Old 12-13-2008, 03:29 PM   #8
Richard Bingham Richard Bingham is offline
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"Mayer's Medium" is what has been universally used in university art departments for over a generation. What has not been taught is an overview of sound painting methods and the nature of materials. While quite innocuous as a "medium", it's commonly used simply as a diluent in the absence of better instruction.

Information on the broad variety of handling characteristics paint additives (that may be properly termed " painting mediums") can present has been sorely lacking where art instruction has abrogated systematic teaching of the craft aspects of applying and handling paint in favor of promoting a "self expression" unfettered by considerations for the physical realities which materials in general present.

The presence of damar in the "Mayer Mix" is qustionable, as it adds nothing to the handling character of paints that varying proportions of oil and turpentine do not. Stand oil affects the nature of paint films more dramatically than damar, and may be termed a "medium" when used instead of an untreated raw linseed oil.

The recipe for Mayer's three-part recipe is perennially suspect, as more often than not, damar retouch is used, which is already diluted over 50% with additional turpentine, to the point the resin and oil are so over-extended their presence is moot, the effect being negligible if not unnoticeable.

To reiterate, painting mediums are not diluents; they are not siccatives.

Turpentine alone will reduce the viscosity of tube paint, as well as accelerate drying. Adding certain proportions of oil will prevent the paint from being underbound.
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