Liquid Clear Vs. Linseed Oil: What Is the Difference?

Liquid clear and linseed oil are very similar materials; however, the main difference is that the Bob Ross brand manufactures liquid clear following the right guidelines and thickness, and on the other hand, natural linseed oil can work like liquid clear, but it is not properly processed with the right thickness. 

Also, there are more differences like uses, cost, grade, thickness, and more.

In this article, I will explain the main difference between liquid clear and linseed oil.

In other article, I already explained

• Do you need liquid clear for the Bob Ross technique? explained

liquid clear vs. linseed oil: Key points

	Liquid clear	Linseed oil
Uses	Wet on wet painting based coat, between layers, thinning paint	Wet on wet based coat, thinning paint, any hard oil paint project like wood painting
Thickness	Thin	Think then liquid clear
Grade	Artistic grade	Student/artistic grade
Main Issue	Less yellowing problem	Yellowing problem
Solvent mixed	Yes	No
Main material	Linseed oil, solvent	Natural oil
Availability	Hard to find	Very easy to find
Known time	Around 40 years	About 2000 years or more
Ownership	Bob Ross brand	No ownership
Cost	Expensive	Inexpensive

What is the difference between liquid clear and linseed oil?

Liquid clear process material on the other side linseed oil natural products. So of course, there are differences between the two.

Uses

Liquid clear is manufactured by the Bob Ross brand especially for wet on wet technique. It also can be applied as paint thinner. On the other hand, linseed oil has a lot of uses. Examples from canvas painting to wood painting. In the wet-on-wet technique, it can similarly be used as a base coat, between layers, thinning paint. The liquid clear and the liquid white main ingredient is linseed oil.

Thickness

Liquid clear thickness is very thin by mixing different ingredients like linseed oil, solvent, and other secret materials. And linseed oil is naturally thick. 

Grade

Liquid clear is a very unique and artistic grade product. On the other side, depending on linseed oil quality, it has different grades like student and artistic. 

Main issue

Yellowing is the main issue for linseed oil and this oil-based product. However, liquid clear is a yellowing resistance product but still has very little chance of yellowing. 

Solvent

To make the liquid clear thin, it mixes with an odorless solvent. And linseed oil is a natural product. It does not mix with any solvent.

Main material

Liquid clear material is linseed oil, solvent, and other secret materials. Linseed oil is natural oil.

Availability

Liquid clear is manufactured by the Bob Ross brand. It is very hard to find outside of the USA. On the other hand, linseed oil is very easy to find in any craft store.

Known time

Liquid clear known as about 40 years following Bob Ross and Bill Alexander wet on wet technique. And linseed oil names related to oil painting form long history. It may be around 2000 years or more.

Cost

Liquid clear is a bit expensive, but it’s worth it. And linseed oil is inexpensive and easy to find.

Where can you find liquid clear and Linseed oil?

You can find the product from Amazon, Walmart, local stores, and online marketplaces.

	Material type	Grade	Note
Bob Ross Liquid Clear	Liquid clear	Artistic and Bob Ross brand	Recommended product
Winsor & Newton Refined Linseed Oil	Linseed oil	Artistic grade	Popularly uses in painting project

Why should you choose liquid clear instead of linseed oil?

Linseed oil is professionally ready for artists. It has the right thickness, good blending ability, smoothness, and more. However, you can work with linseed oil, but it results far away from liquid white. If your budget is not good, choose linseed oil as an alternative.