Matisse MM8 Spreader Medium

Matisse Structure Formula paint offers a thick buttery consistency suitable for impasto and brush stroke techniques: its high tintorial strength permits ready dilution with water or mediums to allow the artist free expression by selective use of these mediums, for the results desired.

The purpose of MM8 Spreader Medium is to spread large volumes of colour over selected areas while maintaining a controlled paint viscosity.

It is customary to add MM8 Spreader Medium to Matisse Colours until the required volume of paint is attained. Inversely, Matisse Colour can be added in small or large increments to the MM8 Spreader Medium but, because of the heavy-bodied consistency of Matisse Structure, thorough mixing is advised to avoid “clumping” and lumps of colour.

MM8 Spreader Medium is a transparent flowing paste. It dries fairly “flat” and, when dry, can hardly be discerned on a painted or unpainted area, i.e. it leaves almost no stain. Its main application is for glazing where it imparts fine flow and controlled spreadability and lubrication to the paint. Used on its own, the medium does not dry waterproof and can therefore be used as an intermediary between two partially dried paint films if some water-sensitivity for wash areas is desired. Applied over a dried paint film, it gives a wet upon wet effect but will recede to an almost invisible film when dry.

MM8 Spreader Medium can be used to pre-dilute Matisse Colour to infinity, thereby increasing transparency and some water-sensitivity to paint film. MM7 Polymer Gloss Varnish (Gloss Medium) or MM6 Matisse Polymer Matt Varnish are the natural intermixes with the MM8 Spreader Medium to impart absolutely controlled water resistance. As MM8 Spreader Medium dries relatively slowly when applied over a well-primed or heavily painted area, it increases workability within the paint.

MM7 Polymer Gloss Varnish or MM6 Matisse Polymer Matt Varnish would tend to dry very rapidly when used on their own thereby defeating the purpose of carefully controlled glazing. Soft colour hues and delicate tone-on-tone transitions are obtained by using MM8 Spreader Medium. Pre-additions of 1 part MM7 Polymer Gloss Varnish or MM6 Matisse Polymer Matt Varnish to 3 parts of MM8 Spreader Medium are sufficient to impart water resistance to the medium.