Eco-Friendly Art Solutions: Zest-It Mediums and Their Practical Applications
Give Your Studio a Breath of Fresh Citrus!
Let's be honest - traditional solvents like turpentine or white spirit have never been anyone's favourite studio companions. We all know how useful they are for oil painting (if you don't, check out our Mediums range!), but the fumes, the headaches... is it worth it?
That's where Zest-It steps in, a leading innovator in eco-conscious art materials, their range of low odour mediums and additives prioritize safety above almost all else. Enhancing artistic techniques with a zesty citrus twist, these amazing mediums make brush cleaning, blending and painting not only much safer & easier, but even more fun!
Whether you’re layering glowing oil glazes, blending coloured pencils into buttery smooth gradients, or rescuing brushes from dried masking fluid disasters, Zest-It has a solution that keeps your creativity flowing... all without the toxic cloud.
Zest-It Mediums & Additives: The Range
Zest-It isn’t just about swapping out smelly turpentine for something nicer — it’s about giving artists a full toolkit of safer, smarter mediums.
From the Oil Paint Dilutant & Brush Cleaner with its refreshing citrus aroma, to the Cold Wax Medium that builds dreamy textures without heat, there’s something here for every painter. For illustrators and sketchers, Pencil Blend smooths coloured pencils and pastels like magic, while the Blending Sponge keeps things tidy and portable. And for watercolourists, the Masking Fluid Remover is a true lifesaver, rescuing brushes and tools from sticky disasters.
Each product is designed with practicality, creativity, and safety in mind — making your art practice not only more enjoyable, but also more sustainable.
Oil Paint Dilutant & Brush Cleaner
Zest-It’s Oil Paint Dilutant & Brush Cleaner is a safe, versatile & refreshing solvent alternative with a gentle citrus aroma.
Great For:
- Thinning oils for underpainting and washes
- Cleaning brushes and palettes without damaging bristles
- Removing wet paint from clothing and tools
- Dissolving dried oil residue on easels and palettes
- Softening stubborn adhesive from masking tape
Perfect for oil painters seeking a safer and more pleasant studio experience.
Clear Painting Medium
This Clear Painting Medium blends solvent with stand oil to deliver smooth, transparent layers, luminosity & fluidity.
Great For:
- Blending colours seamlessly
- Enhancing glazing techniques for depth and brilliance
- Extending paint without weakening pigment strength
- Adjusting drying times in layered compositions
- Perfecting underpainting in portraiture and still life
A must-have for oil painters working with fine detail, glazing, and layering techniques.
Cold Wax Medium
Combining natural beeswax with linseed oil, this Cold Wax Medium is perfect for adding depth, texture & atmosphere to your work. Unlike encaustic painting, it requires no heat, making it more accessible to contemporary artists.
Great For:
- Creating rich texture and impasto effects
- Adding matte, velvety finishes to paintings
- Reducing unwanted gloss in oil colours
Ideal for artists looking to explore experimental textures and modern oil painting approaches.
Blending Sponge
Pre-moistened with 15ml of Pencil Blend & sealed in a protective case, this Blending Sponge from Zest-It offers controlled, portable applications for easier, spill free blending on the go.
Great For:
- Applying Pencil Blend evenly to paper stumps
- Convenient tool for sketchbooks and travel kits
- Safe use in classrooms or workshops without open bottles
Perfect for artists who value efficiency, portability, and mess-free blending.
Pencil Blend
For coloured pencil, oil pastel, and crayon artists, Pencil Blend provides a low-odour solution that seamlessly smooths pigments into stunning painterly finishes without unsightly residue.
Great For:
- Blending coloured pencil into soft gradients
- Softening edges in oil pastel or crayon work
- Creating watercolour-like washes with pencils
- Pre-toning paper for mixed media projects
- Cleaning smudges from erasers and blending stumps
Bridging the gap between drawing and painting, this medium unlocks exciting new possibilities for illustrators and mixed media artists.
Masking Fluid Remover
Every watercolourist knows the struggle of dried masking fluid ruining brushes and tools. Zest-It’s Masking Fluid Remover gently cleans, revives & restores equipment without the need for harsh scrubbing.
Great For:
- Restoring brushes affected by dried masking fluid
- Cleaning dried latex from rulers, knives & palettes
- Removing residues from clothing and studio surfaces
- Extending the lifespan of tools in studios & classrooms
This specialized cleaner is a lifesaver for watercolourists, students and teachers alike.
Zest-It Mediums: FAQ
Is Zest-It safe to use indoors?
Yes! Unlike traditional solvents, Zest-It products are low-odour, citrus-based, and much gentler, making them ideal for home studios, classrooms, and shared creative spaces.
Can Zest-It Oil Paint Dilutant replace turpentine completely?
In most cases, yes. It can thin oils, clean brushes, and remove wet paint effectively. However, for very heavy-duty cleaning, you may still need traditional methods — but for day-to-day painting, it’s a fantastic alternative.
Does the Cold Wax Medium require heat like encaustic wax?
Not at all! Zest-It Cold Wax Medium can be applied straight from the jar, mixed with oils or pigments & built up with palette knives — no hot tools required.
Can the Masking Fluid Remover save brushes that are completely stiff?
Often, yes! It’s formulated to soften and remove dried masking fluid from bristles, tools, and even clothing, giving your materials a second life.
Will Zest-It Pencil Blend affect paper or leave marks?
No, it’s designed to blend pigments smoothly without leaving residue, stains, or warping paper, so your artwork stays crisp and clean.
How does the Blending Sponge help with pencil work?
It allows you to apply Pencil Blend without spills, making it portable, mess-free, and perfect for sketchbooks or classroom use.
Zest-It: Small Changes, Big Impact on Your Art
Zest-It offers a complete range of eco-friendly, artist-focused mediums that cater to painters, illustrators, and mixed-media creators. From safe brush cleaning to advanced painting mediums, their extensive low odour selection offers a healthier working environment, empowering artists with the ability to create freely.
So, whether you’re a traditional oil painter, a coloured pencil enthusiast, or a mixed media experimenter, Zest-It’s innovative solutions make your creative process safer, smoother, and more sustainable.
Ready to make your studio safer and more sustainable? Explore the full range of Zest-It products today!
