Exploring Different Mediums

If you've ever found yourself standing in the art store, staring at shelves packed with mysterious bottles and wondering "What even is Venetian medium?" this video is for you! In this approachable and empowering guide, professional oil painter Katie Liddiard takes the guesswork out of painting mediums and helps you feel more confident about what you're putting on your palette.

With her characteristic warmth and clarity, Katie walks you through a range of mediums she's collected over the years—from thick, amber-colored stand oil to silky-smooth walnut oil, fast-drying gels, lean and fat mediums, and even lavender-based alternatives for those looking to ditch the solvents. She doesn’t just tell you what each medium is—she shows you how it behaves, how it smells (spoiler: lavender is potent), and how it feels under your brush or palette knife.

This isn’t a chemistry class—it’s a practical, hands-on exploration designed to help artists of all levels make informed, simple choices. Katie shares her own favorites (hello, walnut olio gel!) and explains why she keeps her process streamlined rather than mixing complicated recipes.

Whether you’re trying to speed up drying time, create buttery strokes, or simply figure out what won’t yellow your highlights, this video has you covered. You'll walk away knowing the difference between bleached and unbleached oils, how to build your layers safely with “fat over lean,” and when to experiment vs. when to keep it classic.
Bottom line? Don’t be intimidated by all those jars and tubes. With Katie’s guidance, you’ll learn to trust your instincts, experiment wisely, and choose the mediums that work best for you. So dive in, explore, and most of all—enjoy your mediums!"