Impasto Putty

Impasto Putty is an oil painting medium of finely ground calcite, barite, and bentonite in bodied linseed oil. Use it to extend paint without altering the consistency, making oil colors 'short' and buttery for impastos. Stiffer than Impasto Medium and Velázquez Medium, this putty makes colors slightly transparent while allowing you to build impasted, thick paint applications. When added to oil paint, Impasto Putty does not alter its color temperature. It can be thinned with solvent or oil. Depending upon the proportion added to paint, Impasto Putty does not affect the drying time significantly.

Impasto Putty does not contain stearates, solvents, driers, or natural or synthetic resins, so it is safe to add to oil paint without worrying about cracking or delaminating.

Impasto Putty is a calcite and barite-rich oil-painting medium.

The stiff white paste has little effect on oil colors, making them less opaque and slightly less saturated. Use it to build thick applications of color.

A comparison of Impasto Medium (top left) and Velázquez Medium (top right) shows the different handling characteristics added to paint.

Impasto Putty slightly increases the transparency of colors while maintaining the buttery consistency. It allows you to build impasto or thick paint with ease. When added to oil paint, brushstrokes hold their form without slumping or leveling. In the example above, when added to green earth artist oil (bottom center), the mixture of Impasto Medium (bottom left) extends the color and its consistency. In contrast, the mixture with Velázquez Medium (bottom right) gives the paint a long, ropy consistency.

Directions

Mix Impasto Putty directly into your paint right on the palette.

Impasto Putty is a great way to add calcite to your paint. Add Impasto Putty and linseed oil directly to dry pigment powder until a stiff paste is obtained (almost the consistency of putty). Grind the paste with a muller on a flat surface before storing it in a collapsible tube.

Health Label

Based on a toxicological review, there are no acute or known chronic health hazards with the anticipated use of this product. Always protect yourself against potentially unknown chronic hazards of this and other chemical products by avoiding ingestion, excessive skin contact, and inhaling spraying mists, sanding dust, and concentrated vapors. Contact us for further information or consult the MSDS for more information.