Oil painting has been a revered medium for centuries, prized for its vibrant colours, smooth blending capabilities, and longevity. Traditionally, artists have used linseed, walnut, or poppy oil to mix pigments, creating oil paints that became staples in studios worldwide. In recent decades, a modern innovation has entered the scene: water-mixable oil colours. These paints promise the benefits of traditional oils while addressing environmental and health concerns often associated with traditional solvents.
In this article, we explore the key differences between these two types of oil paints, helping you decide which is the best fit for your artistic journey.
1. Composition
- Traditional Oil Colours: Traditional oil paints are composed of pigment suspended in natural oils such as linseed, poppyseed, or walnut oil. These oils act as binders, giving the paint its characteristic texture, gloss, and working time.
- Water-Mixable Oil Colours: Water-mixable oil paints, also known as water-soluble or water-miscible oils, are formulated with a modified oil binder. The binder is altered at a molecular level to allow water to act as a solvent. This change makes the paint compatible with water for thinning and cleaning but maintains its oil-based characteristics.
2. Mixability and Solvents
- Traditional Oil Colours: Traditional oils require specific solvents, such as turpentine or mineral spirits, for thinning and cleaning. These solvents can emit strong odors and may pose health risks with prolonged exposure.
- Water-Mixable Oil Colours: Water-mixable oils can be thinned and cleaned using water instead of harsh chemicals. This feature reduces the need for toxic solvents, making these paints a more eco-friendly and health-conscious option.
Key Difference: While traditional oils rely on external solvents, water-mixable oils integrate water as their primary medium without compromising the paint’s oil-based essence.
3. Drying Time
- Traditional Oil Colours: One of the hallmarks of oil painting is its slow drying time. This characteristic allows for extended blending and layering but requires patience when waiting for pieces to cure completely. Depending on the thickness of the paint, drying can take days, weeks, or even months.
- Water-Mixable Oil Colours: The drying time of water-mixable oils is often slightly faster than traditional oils. Adding water or quick-drying mediums can further accelerate the process. However, these paints retain enough open time for blending and wet-on-wet techniques.
Key Difference: Water-mixable oils dry slightly faster, which may be advantageous for artists with tight deadlines or those who prefer working in shorter sessions.
4. Handling and Texture
- Traditional Oil Colours: Traditional oils are renowned for their buttery consistency and smooth application. They offer unparalleled control for blending and glazing, making them a preferred choice for realistic and classical styles.
- Water-Mixable Oil Colours: Water-mixable oils are similar in texture but can behave differently when mixed with water. Adding too much water may dilute the consistency, reducing the buttery feel. Specialised water-mixable mediums, however, can replicate the handling characteristics of traditional oils.
Key Difference: While both types provide excellent handling, traditional oils offer a more consistent texture. Water-mixable oils require careful balancing when incorporating water.
5. Colour Vibrancy and Permanence
- Traditional Oil Colours: Traditional oils are celebrated for their vibrant, saturated colors. They have been tested over centuries and, when paired with proper techniques, produce archival-quality artworks that stand the test of time.
- Water-Mixable Oil Colours: Water-mixable oils boast comparable vibrancy, but some purists argue they lack the same luminosity and depth. However, leading brands have significantly improved formulations, making water-mixable oils almost indistinguishable in vibrancy and permanence.
Key Difference: High-quality water-mixable oils are competitive with traditional oils in terms of colour richness and lightfastness, though traditional oils have a longer historical track record for permanence.
6. Health and Environmental Considerations
- Traditional Oil Colours: Using traditional oils involves exposure to potentially harmful solvents, which release volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These can irritate the respiratory system and skin and pose risks with prolonged inhalation.
- Water-Mixable Oil Colours: Water-mixable oils offer a safer alternative by eliminating the need for chemical solvents. Artists can work with these paints in enclosed spaces without the same health concerns, making them particularly appealing to beginners, home-based painters, and eco-conscious artists.
Key Difference: Water-mixable oils prioritise health and environmental safety, whereas traditional oils demand more careful handling and ventilation.
7. Compatibility with Mediums
- Traditional Oil Colours: Traditional oils are compatible with a wide range of mediums, from linseed oil to damar varnish, each altering properties such as gloss, transparency, or drying time. This versatility supports endless experimentation.
- Water-Mixable Oil Colours: Water-mixable oils are designed to work with water and specialised mediums developed for their unique properties. However, they can also mix with traditional oil mediums in small quantities, though this may negate the water-mixable feature.
Key Difference: Traditional oils offer broader compatibility with conventional mediums, while water-mixable oils have a more specific medium selection.
8. Cleaning Process
- Traditional Oil Colours: Cleaning brushes and tools used with traditional oils requires solvents like mineral spirits or turpentine. Improper disposal of these solvents can contribute to environmental harm.
- Water-Mixable Oil Colours: With water-mixable oils, brushes and palettes can be cleaned with soap and water. This convenience simplifies cleanup and reduces waste of toxic chemicals.
Key Difference: Water-mixable oils streamline cleaning and promote sustainability, whereas traditional oils involve a more demanding and potentially harmful cleanup process.
9. Cost and Accessibility
- Traditional Oil Colours: Traditional oil paints are widely available in various grades (student, artist, and professional). Their long-standing use ensures a broader range of colors, brands, and pricing options.
- Water-Mixable Oil Colours: While not as ubiquitous as traditional oils, water-mixable oils have gained popularity, with major manufacturers like Winsor & Newton, Holbein, and Cobra producing high-quality lines. They are often similarly priced but may be limited in availability in certain regions.
Key Difference: Traditional oils dominate the market, while water-mixable oils continue to expand their presence.
10. Who Benefits Most?
- Traditional Oil Colours: Ideal for purists, professional artists, and those who enjoy the long-standing traditions of oil painting. Traditional oils excel in specialised studio setups with proper ventilation and resources.
- Water-Mixable Oil Colours: Perfect for beginners, hobbyists, and anyone sensitive to chemical odours. These paints offer a middle ground, combining the richness of oil painting with the convenience of water cleanup.
Key Difference: Your artistic goals, lifestyle, and studio conditions will influence which type of paint aligns with your needs.
11. Notable Brands
Some trusted brands produce both traditional and water-mixable oils:
- Traditional Oils: Old Holland, Michael Harding, Gamblin, Winsor & Newton, Sennelier.
- Water-Mixable Oils: Winsor & Newton Artisan, Holbein Duo Aqua Oil, Royal Talens Cobra, Grumbacher Max.
Each brand has its unique formula, so experimentation is essential to finding your preferred type.
Final Thoughts
The choice between traditional oil colours and water-mixable oil colours ultimately depends on your priorities as an artist. Traditional oils represent centuries of mastery and craftsmanship, offering unmatched richness and versatility. On the other hand, water-mixable oils embrace modernity, catering to health-conscious and environmentally aware artists without compromising much of the traditional experience.
Both mediums are valuable in their own right, and many artists enjoy using them interchangeably depending on the project. By understanding their distinctions, you can make an informed decision and continue creating art that reflects your vision and values.
