Is Oil Painting Toxic?

Some of us have given up on oil painting due to our sensitivities.

medium WSchmincke Medium W is a revolutionary, low-odor oil paint additive that transforms traditional oil colors into water mixable oils. Combining one part Medium W with two parts of oil paint allows you to use simple water for both thinning your paints and cleaning your tools — no solvents required! At the same time, Medium W increases the gloss and transparency of your colors.

Colors mixed with Medium W may undergo a shift in color and appear lighter or “milky” while wet (as do most brands of water mixable oil). Not to worry — your colors will harmonize back to their original tones during the course of the drying process.

This effect may be more or less pronounced, depending on the color of the oil and the amount of water you add for thinning. The darker the oil paint and the more water added, the lighter in hue the wet paint film will appear. However, rest assured that all colors will be restored to their original brilliance once dry.

No, you don’t need to give away your oils, you just need a new medium to improve your present ones. In the Art Store this new medium can be found in our water-soluble oil paint area. Just ask us about this cost effective product to change all your present oils to being water-soluble.

Most artists are sensitive to the solvents used when thinning the paint and cleaning your brushes. With this medium you won’t have to use toxic solvents again.

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