Where can I find out more about water-based oil paints and odour-free thinners for real oils?

Question

It's not a silly question. There are water based oil paints (you don't need spirits to thin them or clean you brushes - you use water - I've seen an artist using them in the UK - and I know for a fact there are odour free thinners out there somewhere for use with tradition oil paints (for people like me who are allergic to paint thinners etc!) I'd just like to know where to find out more about them, and where to buy them.

Answer 1

The correct term is Water-Miscible or Water-Mixable oils. They are made from traditional linseed oil which has been modified to accept water rather than repel it. They smell and act like oils, and when used with the specially modified linseed oil, dry slowly like traditional oils. Your brushes and palette (and clothing) will clean up with soap and water while the paint is still wet. Once it's dry, however, it's waterproof just like regular oils. You can clean hardened brushes (and clothing) with Masters Brush cleaner.

They are made by many companies -
Talens (H2Oil) NO info on their site whatsoever
Holbein (Duo-Aqua Oil) http://www.holbeinhk.com/duooil.html this paint is different from the others - it dries much faster
Grumbacher (Max) http://www.sanfordcorp.com/sanford/consumer/grumbacher/max.html
Winsor & Newton (Artisan Water-Mixable) http://www.winsornewton.com/mainEN.php click on Oil Colour Book and go to page 13
Lukas (Berlin) NO info on their site either

This much I can tell you about them, as I've been using them for years. DO NOT thin these paints with water - that's not how they were intended to be used. You can wet your brush with water then dip it into the paint or the special water-miscible linseed oil - just don't try making a thin wash with water. The best medium I've found thus far is fast-drying Medium 3 made by Lukas.

One of the biggest disappointments about these paints, other than being unable to create a wash, is the student-grade pigment load. Max and W&N are probably the best, but I find the texture inconsistent from one colour to the next. Also, it's hard to find a good true pigment colour among them. For consistency, I like Lukas the best, but they are hard to find.

If you would rather use a highly-pigmented professional oil but have issues with solvents, try M. Graham Oils. They are made with walnut oil which is non-toxic as well as water-miscible. This doesn't mean you can use water with the paint, but cleanup is easy with soap & water.

That's my 2 cents worth... have fun

Answer 2

I am aware of the water-based oil paints but have not used them. I have seen them at art supply and craft stores alongside the oil and acrylic paints. Have some friends who have tried them and are happy with the outcome. Try doing a search. I'm sure you could gather more info about them and order the paint on line.

Answer 3

li have never heard of water based oil paints. there is such a thing as water borne varnishes, lacquer, epoxy, and direct to metal acrylics. they are modified oil based resins, ( without getting too technical ) with the exception of the acrylics. they will clean up with water when still wet. the odor free thinners still stinks. i would suggest that you call up the technical dept. of any paint manufacturer company. they should be able to help you,

Answer 4

Water based oil paints? Paints are either water based or oil based. And I don't know of any odour free solvents that work on oil based - but there may be some -

Answer 5

Water base and Oil base are 2 different products...It is a silly question

Answer 6

try Talens H2O, I used them when they came out in 1997, they tend to have a really greatr high gloss finish