Water-soluble oil paints are a new alternative to conventional oil paints, offering a cleaner and more environmentally friendly alternative. These paints are not water-based but have the ability to withstand high temperatures. They can be used in a variety of ways, including painting with paper and paints, creating a background with a mix of black and white, and drawing in pencil.
To use water-mixable oil paints, first prepare your paper and paints by painting the background in a fine layer of gray and leaving it to dry. Sketch out your drawing in pencil using a pencil. Water-mixable oils retain their elasticity and workability for up to 48 hours, depending on the thickness of the paint. To restore the paints to their original workable state, add a few drops of linseed oil to the palette.
Water-soluble oil paints are suitable for beginners and can be thinned using water or Gamblin solvent-free gel. However, it is important not to use too much water, as traditional oil mediums like linseed or stand oils can also be used. To begin, use a damp brush and add half as much Schmincke Medium W to create a ratio of one part Medium W with two parts oil paint on your palette. If desired, use a medium to thin the paint, such as linseed and walnut oil.
📹 PAINT TALK: Water Mixable Oil Paint – Everything you need to know
Hi, I am the son of two artists and began painting in my hometown of Richmond, Virginia before I could walk. I was a rare …
📹 How to Paint With Water Soluble Oils
Click on the link above to get my free PDF of the materials list and instructions.
The subject, the way you explained, your voice, your articulation, the technique .. everything was so right! Thanks for sharing this article, Tim. I myself used to paint as a kid then had to take up a job. At 59 I am planning to take up oils again but was very wary of all the cleanup I have to do. And I hate the drying time of Acrylics. You have convinced me to take up water mixable Oils. Thanks. 😊 And that painting you did was just fabulous.
Thanks for the intro to water soluble oils. I’ve used acrylics for 40+ years and still struggle with the fast dry times. Each time I consider switching to oils, the cost, fumes, and need to trade out brushes keep me from making the jump. Your intro, as well as your beautiful work, give me hope. I’ll be exploring more about these products and hope to find a reasonable path to making the leap. Thanks much. P.S., I love your techniques. Effecient and effective, with spectacular results!
Wow! I tried water soluble oils 20 years ago and my results were dismal, so back to traditional oils until a week ago. My dogs started wheezing and their breathing was so labored that I bought a set again. Again, frustration reigned. Yours is the first article I’ve found that actually explains the process from beginning to end. Now I know why I had so much difficulty and I’ll persevere.. I’ve experimented with many mediums through the years. I can’t imagine not being able to paint with oils and that’s where I was heading. I thank you and my dogs thank you!
Thank you so much. I have been dealing with ‘the struggling artist’ syndrome since joining an art class a year ago. Not being able to sell my paintings and I am hoping to make enough to sign up for your classes. This is amazing and has given me the momentum to keep going and not give up my dream. ❤ With so much gratitude to you, thank you 😘
Thank you SO much for sharing your long experience with us all! I have something that the doctors can’t diagnose. All I know is that I am hyper sensitive to a lot of chemicals. I’m waiting for my 1st Oder of water, soluble oils, and this article made me very excited! I’m just hoping that there is nothing in. There is a oils that will set off my symptoms. Again, thank you so much for sharing your knowledge and experience with all of us. I am extremely grateful.🙏🏻💖🙏🏻
This is so fantastic. I have never heard of water soluble oil paints. I currently draw with colored, graphite, or charcoal pencils and did not want to try oil painting because of the toxic fumes. This gives me hope that I can try painting. I still love using pencils for smaller, simpler projects but I know that I need to expand my skills and artistry to include painting.
After Christmas last year I stopped into our local craft store and they had the Artisan line on sale at 70% off! I couldn’t pass up the deal and bought every color available…which was a pretty good selection. I’ve only painted a couple small cherries but wasn’t sure about mediums, etc. I’m going to try using the linseed oil like you showed…I believe that will be a game changer for my success with these paints. Thanks so much! Toni
Never thought of using acrylic as an under-painting for watermixable oils. I don’t use my watermixable oils as thick as you do, often layering, and was wondering if I could also try an acrylic under-painting with a slightly more fluid mix of the oil layers on top? If you haven’t tried it and don’t know, I’ll just give it a try. Thanks for the upload Tim 👍🏼 The way you get your paintings to express the light is phenomenal by the way. Beautiful ❤️
Hi Tim thanks very much for this tutorial and the painting is beautiful. Tim can I ask what the drying time would be after finishing the painting using these water soluble oils with the linseed oil. I know the real oils are pain cos they take so much longer than any other paint to dry. I believe the ordinary oils take up to 3 months before they are even touch dry and then to try to store them safely so they dont get destroyed. And thevsmell is not great for me cos I have chest problems. I love the look of oils but I cant use them mostly because of my chest. But also to try and store them safely. Its a no go area really. I was wondering how long approx these would take to dry completely. Id love to try them out. Thanks again for this because this is the first time I’ ve seen a tutorial with water soluble oil paints. Thank you so much. God bless Susan
Hi, just watched this upload…really interest. I was given some of these paints for Easter. I paint in acrylics. So I’m a complete novice with this. But I had started a painting, blocked out in acrylics – as is usual – then thought I can do the detail in these new oil ones. However, I don’t like the flat acrylic finish against the shiny oils. I should have studied it a bit I think. Perhaps there is something out there that I could have used between the acrylic and then the oil…. Im feeling a bit stressed. So I shall study your previous articles, I will hopefully pick hints and tips along the way. Thank you 🏴🇬🇧
Hi Tim, beautiful work! I accidentally put the linseed oil on late this evening and dont have time to start the painting! WIll I now have to wait for it to dry before applying another coat of the oil to paint into? Can you tell me the typical drying time for linseed oil if I have to wait? Thanks for any tips or suggestions.
Thank you, very useful tips. Question: why do you apply the oil layer to the underpainting? To improve the paint flow? I started oil painting with Cobra oils, but can‘t figure out the proper consistency where the paint still has enough covering strength but it is flowing like in the YouTube tutorials 🙂 I also have some tubes of Artisan but they are even stickier than the Cobras directly from the tube.
Hi Tim Great article!!! I just painted an American Goldfinch with water soluble oils however I did not use the water soluble linseed oil or soap with water which I will be doing from now on after perusal your article…lol I was wondering when your painting is dried do you seal or cover it with something? Also can you use walnut medium? Thanks again Tim 🙂 Lorrie
I’m just learning to use oils, starting with water mixable ones. Why did you put the linseed oil over your base colors of the red and the black trees? Is that because the linseed oil should not be put directly on the canvas. Can you finish your painting with an oil varnish or does it have to be a water mixable oil varnish? And lastly, I want to do some paintings on brushed aluminum. What would I prime that with? Thank you.