Water Soluble
(miscible) Oil Paint
*
Water miscible oil paint (also
called "water soluble" or "water mixable") is a modern
variety of oil paint engineered to be thinned
and cleaned up with water, thus making it possible to avoid using chemicals such as turpentine. Water miscible oil paint can be mixed and applied using the
same techniques as traditional oil-based paint, but while still wet it can be
effectively removed from brushes, palettes, and rags with ordinary soap (Palmolive
with Oxy works great) and water. Its water solubility comes from the use of an oil medium in which one end of the molecule has been altered to bind
loosely to water molecules, as in a solution.
* DO
recognize that, as with traditional oils, there are differences between drying
time for some colors (cadmiums dry slower) and differences in consistency
between brands. Expect paint to dry
slightly faster than traditional oils. Find
your favorites!
* Depending
on how thickly you paint, water soluble oils will retain their elasticity and
workability for up to 48 hours.
*
Water soluble oils have been engineered to dry with limited yellowing.
*
Although this type of paint may be thinned with water, artists may
prefer to use specially prepared mediums for improved texture and control. Quick
dry mediums, stand oils, painting mediums, impasto mediums, linseed oils and
alkyd mediums.
* Traditional
oil paints and mediums can be mixed in with water soluble oils in small amounts
(up to 20%-30%) and the mixture will still retain its solubility in water.
This is nice for slight alterations in color.
* Water
soluble oils lack some of the glossy appearance of traditional oils, but a
final varnish is a quick way to fix this.
* Use
water to thin the new oils for laying in washes. Build up the oily layers after
the under painting is dry. Just like traditional oils, all oil paint should be
applied fat over lean to prevent cracking. If your paints dry on the palette, a
few drops of linseed oil should restore them to their original workable form.
* Use a varnish
to even out the shine of the finished painting.
* STORING
UNUSED PAINT; invert a small cup in the middle of palette and cover completely
with plastic wrap. Tape if needed then
place in the freezer. The paint stays
usable for weeks depending on the thickness of the left over paint mound. Add a drop of
medium if the paint has thickened.
