Nancy Wernersbach

Joyful nature-inspired paintings in oil and watercolor.

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Working with Water-Soluble Oils

| 24 May, 2013 09:35

People ask me about the water-soluble oils that I use. I can't take the fumes from turp or even the odorless solvents (they still evaporate into the air and give me a migraine & sore throat)
Here's some notes on the water-soluble oils:
I don't like the cheaper Winsor Newton Artisan or Grumbacher Max they are too sticky in my opinion and frustrating to get to flow nicely.

I use Holbein Duo Aqua Oils & Daniel Smith water-soluble oils. Daniel Smith are the most like regular oil paint, so I'm gradually switching over to them from the Holbein. I use Daniel Smith watercolor too--I just think their paint is the best.
The linseed oil medium made for the paints is very helpful in getting them to flow better.
Don't use water like a watercolor painting. I just dip the brush to moisten it, then blot off excess. I keep a container of water with Dawn dishwashing liquid in it to clean the brush while painting & a container of clear water for cleaning & moistening brush.
Use synthetic brushes only--stiffer than watercolor brushes. I use Princeton #6300FB (brown handle) or Liquitex (light green handle) The "Artist's Loft" green handled brushes at Michael's are surprisingly good also.
Here's my basic palette/ colors are available in either brand unless noted:
Ultramarine Blue
Cad. yellow light or Hansa Yellow (Daniel Smith)
Cad. red medium
Yellow Ochre
Burnt Sienna
Sap Green
Viridian
Alizarin Crimson
Horizon Blue (A beautiful turquoise color--Holbein)
Titanium White
Also have:
Cerulean Blue
Dioxazine Violet (Holbein)
Quinacridone purple (Daniel Smith)
Quinacridone gold
Quinacridone red (Daniel Smith)
Jaune Brillant (Holbein peach color)
Rose Violet (Holbein)
Yellow Green (Holbein)
Clean up brushes after painting with soap and water.
A Mastersons palette with the snap on lid will keep extra paint moist & workable for an extra day or two. I put a small wet sponge inside.
They take a few days to dry depending on the weather--a bit faster than regular oils. White takes longer to dry.
For good paintings I use panels from Ray-Mar (look online) I love their smoother surface panels--you have to order 10 at a time.
Good luck & Happy Painting!
Nancy
I always welcome comments or questions :)

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