If there is one oil painting medium that has earned genuine classic status, it is Liquin Original. Introduced by Winsor & Newton decades ago and refined since, it is the medium that more oil painters reach for more often than any other — used in art schools, professional studios, and home painting rooms the world over. The reason is simple: it does several things simultaneously that would otherwise require multiple products, and it does all of them reliably.
Liquin Original is an alkyd-based medium that halves the drying time of conventional oil paint. Where an unmodified oil colour might take days or weeks to become touch dry depending on the pigment, Liquin-modified paint is typically touch dry within one to six days — significantly faster depending on the colour and film thickness. This makes layered working, overpainting, and glazing considerably more practical, and is the reason Liquin has become so widely used by painters who work in multiple sessions rather than wet-into-wet alla prima.
Beyond accelerating drying, Liquin improves the flow of oil paint, making it easier to apply smooth, even layers without excessive brush marks. It reduces brush stroke retention — the tendency of thick paint to hold visible marks — producing a smooth, even paint film that is particularly well suited to detailed and representational work. The consistency is gel-like and semi-gloss, adding a slight luminosity to the finished surface. It is non-yellowing, which is an important long-term quality in any oil painting medium.
Liquin can be used as a general thinning medium in place of linseed oil or stand oil, thinned further with turpentine or low odour solvents if needed, and is compatible with all oil and alkyd colours. It is particularly well suited to glazing — thin, transparent layers of colour built up over a dry base — where the improved flow and faster drying make the technique considerably more accessible. It is not suitable for use as a varnish or final coat.
We stock Liquin Original in 75ml and 250ml bottles. The 75ml bottle is a practical starting size for occasional use; the 250ml offers better economy for painters who use it regularly.
What does Liquin Original do? It halves the drying time of oil paint, improves flow, reduces brush stroke retention, and produces a smooth semi-gloss paint film. It is an alkyd-based medium compatible with all oil and alkyd colours.
How fast does oil paint dry with Liquin? Touch dry in one to six days depending on the pigment and film thickness — approximately half the drying time of unmodified oil colour. Some colours dry faster than others regardless of the medium used, so drying times will vary across the palette.
How do you use it? Mix a small amount of Liquin into oil paint on the palette in place of, or alongside, linseed oil. It can also be thinned with turpentine or low odour mineral spirits. Use the minimum amount needed — a little goes a long way. Do not use as a varnish or final coat.
Can it be used for glazing? Yes — Liquin is particularly well suited to glazing. Its improved flow and faster drying time make it easier to apply thin, transparent layers of colour over a dried base, building up depth and luminosity in the painting gradually.
Is it suitable for use with all oil paints? Yes — Liquin Original is compatible with all oil and alkyd colours. It is not suitable for use with water-mixable oil paints.
Does it yellow over time? No — Liquin Original is formulated to resist yellowing, making it a reliable choice for finished work intended to last.
Which size should I choose? The 75ml bottle is a practical starting size for occasional use or for painters trying Liquin for the first time. The 250ml bottle offers better economy for painters who use Liquin regularly and go through it quickly.
