Traditional glazing medium
Mix stand oil 1:1 with turpentine or OMS. This is the classic, historically used glazing medium — produces a smooth, luminous, enamel-like glaze layer. The thickness of stand oil balances perfectly against the thinning action of the solvent.
Brush mark elimination: Add a small amount of stand oil to paint when a smooth, brushstroke-free surface is required. Particularly effective for portrait work and smooth colour transitions.
Final layers: Stand oil is well-suited to upper and final paint layers where durability and gloss are desired. Its slow drying allows extended wet-in-wet working time in these layers.
Combination medium: Mix stand oil with a small amount of Damar varnish and turpentine for a richer, more resinous glazing medium with increased gloss.
Stand oil is the secret behind the glass-smooth passages in many Old Master paintings. Vermeer and other Dutch masters are believed to have used stand oil-based mediums to achieve the extraordinary luminosity and surface perfection in their work.