Guide to Water Mixable Oil Mediums for Oil Paints

Water soluble oil paints offer an alternative for artists who wish to explore oil colours without using harsh solvents. Reasons might include allergies, painting in a small space, or simply an aversion to the smell. Manufacturers have developed oils whose binders are soluble in water, along with compatible mediums. Solvents need never be used—but what are all these mediums for?

Oil Mediums that Can Be Thinned with Water

Water soluble oil mediums

 

Artisan oils and Cobra are examples of water‑mixable oils. With these paints comes an array of water‑based oily mediums that alter the properties of the paint in similar ways to traditional oils. Also known as “water miscible oil paint,” the oil in these paints has altered molecules that make them bond with water. Below is a guide to how these water‑mixable mediums can be used. (Separate articles cover a more in‑depth guide to alkyd mediums and traditional oil painting mediums.)

Water‑Soluble Oil Mediums for Artists

Linseed oil, stand oil, drying oil, thickened oil, refined oil, poppy oil and safflower oil all have water‑based equivalents for water‑soluble oil paints. These can be cleaned and thinned with water or, if preferred, a water‑based solvent. Water‑mixable ranges include Royal Talens’ Cobra, Winsor & Newton’s Artisan, Reeves and Duo Aqua Oil. How can these mediums be used?

Water Mixable Linseed Oil

This is the water‑based equivalent of the most popular traditional oil medium. Linseed oil is slow‑drying, adds gloss and translucency, and improves flow for detailed work. As water‑soluble linseed oil is already the chief carrier of the paint, adding more is rather like adding water to watercolour. Linseed oil tends to yellow slightly with age, so safflower oil is often used for pale colours such as titanium white.

Water Mixable Safflower Oil

Safflower oil is lighter in texture and colour than linseed and is more resistant to yellowing, making it ideal for paintings with many pale colours. It increases gloss, transparency and flow.

Water Mixable Stand Oil

Stand oil dries to a tough, durable finish, rather like enamel. It is slow‑drying and leaves a glossy surface, making it ideal for artists who wish to work on a painting over several days. It improves flow and helps flatten brush marks, which is useful for high detail.

Water Mixable Fast Drying Medium

This water‑soluble medium speeds up drying time. It is ideal for glazing, adding transparency and flow, and making the paint easier to handle for detailed work or smooth effects. Because it dries quickly, a second glaze can be applied within a few days.

Water Mixable Painting Medium

This non‑yellowing medium is ideal for pale colours. It is often used for “oiling out,” a way of nourishing paint that has dried dull—perhaps due to an absorbent surface or over‑thinning with water. Once the painting is dry, dab the medium onto dull patches with a clean cloth and repeat if needed. It is slow‑drying and adds transparency. If this medium is not available, linseed oil will serve just as well.

Solvent for Water‑Based Oil Paint

Water‑mixable oils dispense with the need for traditional solvents, as the paint can be thinned and cleaned with water. However, using water alone can cause moisture to evaporate quickly and form an emulsion‑like film on the paint on the palette. A dedicated thinner keeps the paint moist and workable for longer and delays this film from forming too soon.

Water Mixable Impasto Medium

Water mixable oils for oil colours

This medium is technically an alkyd rather than a pure oil, but as it is used with both traditional and water‑mixable oils, it deserves mention. Impasto medium accelerates drying and bulks up the paint body, making impasto, sgraffito and palette‑knife techniques possible. Brownish in colour, it does not affect the paint’s colour once mixed in. Use no more than 1 part medium to 4 parts colour.

Which Water‑Soluble Oil Medium Should I Use?

Just like traditional oils, there is an array of mediums that can be thinned with water for ranges such as Artisan or Cobra. Stand oil, drying oil, linseed oil and alkyds all have water‑mixable counterparts. The artist does not need them all. For starters, I would recommend thinner, linseed oil and impasto medium. With these, you can explore glazing, impasto and alla prima techniques. Bear in mind that using traditional oil mediums with water‑soluble paints will make them more water‑resistant, so to enjoy the benefits of water‑soluble oils, it is best to stick to the dedicated water‑soluble mediums.

More Articles on Art Mediums for Oil Painting

Guide to alkyd mediums for oils
All about traditional oil mediums