Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

Well I have just taken my painting to the next level, I had heard about lahmian medium but I could not get my head around what it was it actually did obviously it evenly spreads the pigment out but I did not know why or how beneficial it was or would be, to me water was achieving the same job separating those pigments providing even SMOOTH coverage, I watch a lot of painting tutorials and I saw that all of the professionals are using it, so I thought why not its only 2.80 what have I got to loose.

This was the result I don't want to blow my own trumpet but my painting 8 hours ago was just above average 6/10 after discovering lahmmian medium were looking at a solid 7 obviously this is just my opinion feel free to tell me other wise, lahmian medium will make you instantly better at painting go out and buy 6 bottles immediately.

I want you you look at the skin as the rest of the pain boy is unfinished, take a look.

I don't even use this, but welcome to the world of cheating. Use every tool in that tool box.

 Elbows wrote:
I don't even use this, but welcome to the world of cheating. Use every tool in that tool box.

I have looked at your painting and its good man, imagine what it will be like with lahmian medium I urge you to go purchase a bottle and take a before and after pic this stuff is amazing, by far the best "technical" paint they sell.

I haven't used Lahmian Medium yet, but everyone keeps raving about it so I'd like to try it. I do use Vallejo Glaze Medium all the time though.

 Luciferian wrote:
I haven't used Lahmian Medium yet, but everyone keeps raving about it so I'd like to try it. I do use Vallejo Glaze Medium all the time though.

Go out and buy a pot I promise you it will make you better at painting, upload a before and after pic aswell id love to spread the word about this stuff its fantastic.

You've achieved some nice results.

Lahmian Medium is just acrylic polymer emulsion and some additives. You could try matte medium cut with water and a flow aid, and maybe even a slow dry compund, to get the same result. You could also use a glazing medium. An airbrush medium also works. Liquitex and Golden make them. Available at your local craft store too, at least in the USA. All of these are much more affordable than Lahmian medium. They are all milky but dry clear. (This milky to clear effect is, incidentally, why acrylic paints darken as they dry.)

I've even used something called Paint-Easy, which is originally meant for thinning latex acrylic house paints so that they can be used in a HVLP sprayer.

That said, all these are superior to thinning with just water. Heck, even adding a drop of pet shampoo to a cup of water is better. (the shampoo acts as a 'flow aid' by reducing surface tension. I specify pet shampoo because it is formulated for pet hair, animal hair, which is what sable brushes are, eh.) Oh, and use distilled water.

 Red Harvest wrote:
You've achieved some nice results.

Lahmian Medium is just acrylic polymer emulsion and some additives. You could try matte medium cut with water and a flow aid, and maybe even a slow dry compund, to get the same result. You could also use a glazing medium. An airbrush medium also works. Liquitex and Golden make them. Available at your local craft store too, at least in the USA. All of these are much more affordable than Lahmian medium. They are all milky but dry clear. (This milky to clear effect is, incidentally, why acrylic paints darken as they dry.)

I've even used something called Paint-Easy, which is originally meant for thinning latex acrylic house paints so that they can be used in a HVLP sprayer.

That said, all these are superior to thinning with just water. Heck, even adding a drop of pet shampoo to a cup of water is better. (the shampoo acts as a 'flow aid' by reducing surface tension. I specify pet shampoo because it is formulated for pet hair, animal hair, which is what sable brushes are, eh.) Oh, and use distilled water.

All that said which of all of those options is the best, I don't mean price wise but effectiveness and results, what I have found is "professional" painters tend to use Vallejo paints but stick with citadel medium, I am completely new to the medium scene but I am willing to try others.

I use the Liquitex matte and glazing mediums. The Golden glazing compound is a bit too glossy for my tastes, but for painting things like glass or jewels etc, I'll use it. I do cut them with distilled water+ flow aid.

I couldn't say which is best for you. Each has a different purpose. If price is not a problem, maybe experiment with the range and see which works best. It may turn out that the Lahmian Medium is the most convenient in terms of ease of use+ results. Personally I like the results I get with the Liquitex products. But I've been using them for a long time, so I'm comfortable with them. Matte medium plus water/flow/aid for thicker things like a base coat and first highlights/shades, and glazing medium/water/flow-aid for highlighting and shading. I can control the consistency of the medium this way. I'm not sure how easy it is to do that with a pre-mixed product like Lahmian Medium. I use a lot of glazing in my painting.

The cool thing here is that you've taken the next step and gone beyond simply using paint and water. If nothing else, I'd like to encourage you, and everybody else to try these other products for painting. Understanding the paints is a key component to being a better painter, IMHO. So many people never try to do this. Sigh.