Oil painting mediums can feel mysterious and expensive. If you’ve ever looked at the price of Liquol No. 4 and wondered why a bottle of medium costs so much, you’re not alone.
In this YouTube tutorial, Oil Painting Medium Explained: How To Make Liquol (And Save Money!), Stephen breaks down exactly what Liquol is, how it’s used in oil painting, and how you can make your own at home for a fraction of the cost.
What Is Liquol?
Liquol is a traditional oil painting medium used to thin oil paint and improve flow while maintaining strength and flexibility. It’s particularly useful for:
- Creating smooth, controlled brushwork
- Extending oil paint without weakening colour
- Making transparent and semi-transparent glazes
This type of medium has been used by oil painters for generations, though it often goes by different names depending on where you live. Here in Australia, it’s commonly known as Liquol.
Why Do Oil Painters Use Liquol?
Liquol helps oil paint move more easily across the surface, making it ideal for both layering and glazing techniques. When mixed correctly, it allows painters to:
- Apply thinner, more controlled layers
- Build depth without overloading the paint surface
- Create luminous glazes
It’s an essential medium for many oil painters — but there’s no denying it can be costly.
The Cost of Store-Bought Liquol
Using Liquol adds up quickly:
- A small bottle can cost around $26
- A large 1L bottle can cost over $135
For artists who paint regularly or work on larger pieces, this can become a significant ongoing expense.
» Learn how Liquol is used in our blog post: Oil Painting Glazing Essentials: How To Use Colour Glazes
How to Make Liquol at Home
In this tutorial, Stephen demonstrates how to make your own liquol using simple, accessible ingredients.
Making Liquol yourself:
- Dramatically reduces cost
- Gives you control over your medium
- Allows you to tailor consistency to your painting style
This DIY approach is practical, economical, and ideal for painters who want to understand exactly what they’re putting into their work.
Using Homemade Liquol for Glazing
Homemade liquol can be used just like the commercial version, especially for glazing techniques. When combined with transparent or semi-transparent oil colours, it helps create:
- Smooth, even glazes
- Greater depth and richness
- Better control over colour intensity
As always, understanding how your medium behaves is key to successful oil painting.
Watch the Full Tutorial on Youtube
This video is perfect for oil painters who want to save money on art materials and are curious about traditional oil painting mediums. If you want more control over glazing and layering techniques and you use Liquol regularly, this is a must-watch.