Michael Harding spent years refusing to make a medium — his position was that good paint on the right support, thinned only with more oil, did not need one. Miracle Medium changed that. It is a plant-based, solvent-free formulation that does two jobs at once: it works as a painting medium (extending flow, lifting transparency for glazes) and as a solvent alternative (thinning paint, cleaning brushes) — without the inhalation risk, ventilation requirements, or long-term film brittleness associated with traditional turpentine-based mediums. The formula uses ester oils derived from renewable vegetable sources. Unlike traditional solvent-resin mediums, it does not introduce a resin that could yellow or crack over time — the dried paint film retains the flexibility of a straight oil paint film. It was developed with conservation considerations in mind, which is unusual for a commercial medium. What makes Miracle Medium genuinely distinctive on safety is what it does not do. Traditional solvents — turpentine, Sansodor, Zest-It — are 100% volatile organic compounds. They get into the studio air during use and contribute to inhalation exposure, even when they are described as "low-odour". Miracle Medium's VOC content is roughly an order of magnitude lower, and its flashpoint is above 180°C, making it effectively non-flammable at room temperature. For painters working in confined spaces, studios with limited ventilation, or anyone who has developed sensitivity to traditional solvents, that difference is substantial. Use one to three drops per brushload for most applications, more for glazing. It also works as a thinner for paint in lean underpainting layers in place of turpentine, and as a brush cleaner at the end of a session. Fat-over-lean principles still apply. Available in 100ml, 250ml, and 1 litre — all three are identical in composition. Sizes available: 100ml, 250ml, 1 litre Composition: Plant-based ester oils; solvent-free Odour: Essentially odourless VOC content: Approximately an order of magnitude lower than mineral-spirit solvents Flashpoint: Above 180°C — effectively non-flammable at room temperature Roles: Painting medium, solvent alternative, brush cleaner Drying: Does not significantly accelerate or retard drying Film: Flexible; no resin content Compatible with: All oil paints Made in: UK Brand: Michael Harding
