The best medium for brightening

[Leslie Ficcaglia]

I'm wondering whether the wax varnish made by Gamblin, which I mentioned a few days ago in this section

http://forum.portraitartist.com/showthread.php?t=5866

would be another way of tackling this issue. From the photo in International Artist it seems to add depth and lustre to a finished painting. It can also be mixed into paint as a medium, and that's what it's primarily used for.

[Allan Rahbek]

Xander,
You could ask the Pharmacist about raw linseed oil too, they use all sorts of spooky things in the laboratory.

Boiled linseed oil is faster drying than raw oil. That is because of addition of Cobalt or Manganese. You could try adding max. 20 % beeswax and heat it to melt the wax.

I don't know how this will work out but it would be easy for you to test. You would probably be able to get the wax from a honey producer if you ask one in the country.

I only use the medium into the paint. When mixed into the paint you will know what color you have even though it is a bit influenced by the color of the medium. I never use it on top of the paint any more. I have tried but the yellow color shows.
Use a clear varnish if you need to varnish. As said before, my paintings keeps a pleasant satin surface usually.

Allan

[Xander Calceta]

Thank you very much Allan. Can you show me some of you finish works to be able to figure out that satin finish look you're mentioning about?

Again, thank you very much for your help. I'll try to look for all of the ingredients and start immediately the cooking.

God bless,
Xander

[Allan Rahbek]

Xander,
By "Satin" I mean that the shine / glare on the surface is between matte and glossy.
Allan