Thoughts on water based oil paints

belle2 · Joined: 21 Jan 2010 Posts: 189 Location: Newcastle

I am considering making a changeover and am wondering what experiences people have had with water based oils. I find after a day in the studio I am feeling fairly sick the next day.

Tango · Joined: 06 Mar 2006 Posts: 1360 Location: Melbourne

There is a book on this subject ''Water Soluble Oils '' by Sean Dye
I was thinking of giving them a try myself either WN Artisan or Van Gogh H2 Oil which are the faster drying and have less toxic pigments.
Or I've not tried this myself , but you can make standard oil paints water soluble by adding clear laundry detergent.

belle2 · Joined: 21 Jan 2010 Posts: 189 Location: Newcastle

Thanks Tango, I might try and get that book. Don't know about the detergent though LOL

Blicks in US sell the 200 ml W&N for US$10 compared to AU$32 here. It would be worth getting them sent over I think.

Tango · Joined: 06 Mar 2006 Posts: 1360 Location: Melbourne

That's a good price haven't seen anything around here to beat it.
I see there are 2 other books about water mixable oils when I did a search on Amazon but the one I mentioned I got from my local library. there is a good bit of info on the WN site http://www.winsornewton.com/products/oil-colours/artisan-water-mixable-oil-colour/

AvG · Joined: 17 Sep 2005 Posts: 1912

Devilbiss · Joined: 06 Jul 2007 Posts: 3214

I've tried them but don't like them much.
I found using water based oils a bit like trying to paint with chewing gum.
But if you paint in a thick alla prima style then you might like them.
They do take a long time to dry and remain soft to touch when dry.

AvG · Joined: 17 Sep 2005 Posts: 1912

Also, just to be pedantic, they are water soluble paint, they are NOT water based.

belle2 · Joined: 21 Jan 2010 Posts: 189 Location: Newcastle

Thanks Tango for that great link and everyone else's feedback. I'm not sure I'm convinced yet. I might have to buy some small ones and try them out. I don't want "plasticky" paintings! (Can I use that word in Scrabble Very Happy

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AvG · Joined: 17 Sep 2005 Posts: 1912

Devilbiss · Joined: 06 Jul 2007 Posts: 3214

belle2 · Joined: 21 Jan 2010 Posts: 189 Location: Newcastle

I've sent away for a a set of small tubes to give it a try. Will give feedback when I get them.

I painted with oils yesterday and could barely get up this morning with headache. Might not be oils as I am victim of allergic rhinitis anyway.

Tango · Joined: 06 Mar 2006 Posts: 1360 Location: Melbourne

That reminds me of the bad old days when I used to sleep in my studio, every morning I would wake up with a thumping headache so I changed over to acrylic paint and the headaches dissapeared. Very Happy

Mojo · Joined: 01 Jun 2010 Posts: 20 Location: Melbourne

Hi all

Im interested in hearing about your experiences with them too. I gave away my oils when I moved country, and as I was pregnant when I was ready to buy supplies again, I brought acrylics. I tried the Atelier Interactive ones cause I was told they are similar to oil, but I found them no good for my style (detailed, photo realism).
So now with 2 kids and pregnant again I purchased a couple of W&N water mixable oils and just gave them a little try out. I didnt experiment too much, but they seemed like student grade to me. I would hate to buy a load and spend half a year painting and then it look watered down or 'plasticky'.
Do they not have the finished richness and depth of trad oils?

Is the opinion that W&N are the best option for water soluable? Money is a factor - maybe I should just get on with it and buy them anyway. Better than not painting?

ETA: I was just looking online at other threads about water mixable oils and holbien seems to be suggested as a good option?

gggraph

That's ironic - I just bought a whole bunch of the W&N 'Artisan' ones today.

I'd been talking recently to some illustrators who use oils (with Liquin) over acrylic on paper - which would work for me too. When I saw the water soluble ones, I thought that might be even better. We shall see....

My 'style' if I have one, is also realistic, highly detailed, so I'm expecting the use them for the finishing layer, rather than a thick, painterly treatment. Looking plasticky would be just fine.

Cheers

Grant

* I should point out that I've built two new drawing boards, bought some more paints, hung out with some brilliant illustrators but haven't actually painted anything for a while...

Tango · Joined: 06 Mar 2006 Posts: 1360 Location: Melbourne