A Hot Topic amongst many (beginning) oil painters is the toxicity of working with oils. Many people refer to the unpleasant smell of oil paints and so choose to stay away. Others do not like the idea of working with toxic materials for a variety of reasons.
Perhaps they are health or environment conscious, or they are pregnant or have small children or pets around. Some of my blog readers mentioned it not so long ago and I thought I should pick up on their comments and write a little bit about oil painting and toxicity.
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I was pregnant when I started to think about toxicity
When I started out in oils in 2006 I was pregnant with my second child. I did not want to fill my house with toxic materials! I was painting with pastels already and kept an eye out for health and safety (do not blow at the pastel dust!) but the smell of turps and the hearsay about toxic materials put me off trying oils. I now notice that many others struggle with the same questions as I did. So what about that toxicity with oils then?!
Oil paints do not smell
When people talk about the smell of oil paints they are talking about the turpentine that many use to dilute their paints or clean their brushes. Oil paint itself does not smell of anything. Many use turps as if they are using watercolour and leave their pot of turps open en swish their brush in it every few minutes. The room you’re in will be filled with toxic fumes in no time.
Oil paints are not toxic
(unless you eat them)Most oil paints are not toxic, even if you do eat them (not recommended). Oil paint is basically pigment and oil, and most pigments are perfectly safe. There are toxic ones, of course, such as lead-white, cadmium, and cobalt. But these are only toxic if you eat them or breathe in particles. You would struggle trying to breathe in oil paint. As long as you wash your hands after use, you should be absolutely fine.
Heavy Metals
The toxic metals in some of the pigments are hardly dangerous as long as you use the paints sensibly, but if you want to remove these from your palette there are plenty of alternative pigments that are completely safe. I, for example, do not use lead-white or any cadmiums in my work. I avoid them if I can and so far I have not missed them. Instead of heavy metals I use synthetic alternatives, and there is plenty to choose from.
Solvents are Toxic
The only toxic risk within oil painting is in the solvents and mediums you use. Turpentine and mineral spirits are toxic as they exude fumes that are very bad for your health. It is perfectly fine to use them, but do so sparingly, keep lids closed and windows open. Plenty of full-time artists use them every day without any adverse effects. Just use common sense. If you feel bad when using it, listen to your body. I once tried a medium called Oleopasto, which contains a solvent, and felt so very ill I never opened that tube again. However there are lots of artists that I know who are happily using it every day!
Safe Solvent Alternatives
If you would rather paint without solvents, you can easily paint without a medium or use a solvent-free medium. Gamblin and M. Graham produce some safe mediums for example, and some alkyd mediums are solvent free as well. Check the labels or manufacturer’s website! Of course you can also opt to work with just a tiny bit of oil: linseed, walnut or poppy oil for example. Some paints are more fluid and thin than others so if you want to work with more fluid paint perhaps try a different brand (Old Holland for example is quite thick and stiff, while Rembrandt or Blockx is fairly fluid).
Solvents are most often used for cleaning brushes so perhaps do this outside, and only at the end of a painting session. Low odour or ‘safe’ solvents (such as Sansodor, Zest-it or Roberson’s Studio Safe Orange Solvent) are not 100% ‘safe’ (however you want to interpret that), but are generally less toxic than traditional solvents. They do have less of a smell, or even a pleasant citrus smell. They are less aggressive than traditional solvents, generally speaking, but can make you think they are ‘safe’ as there is no ‘turps’ smell or are marketed as ‘safe’! Without having to go into chemistry (I know nothing about chemistry), all I can say is: keep your sensible hat on.
Cleaning Brushes without Solvents
There are, however, many solvent-free alternatives for cleaning brushes. I wipe my brushes on some kitchen towelling while I paint and so have no need for turps. You can get yourself in the habit of using a few brushes for different colours/tones to avoid cleaning too much, although I prefer to work with just a single brush at a time and just wipe now and then on some paper towels.
I clean my brushes (not often enough!) with The Masters Brush Cleaner which is completely safe to use. Besides The Masters there are brush soaps by Da Vinci and Escoda that seem popular. I have heard other artists using baby oil (wash it out thoroughly!), dishwashing liquid and more. Just make sure that brushes are not left with any residue of your cleaning agent and all should be well.
Varnish
Most varnish has solvents in them and also give off toxic fumes so if you want to varnish, make sure you do this in a well ventilated room. Of course there is always the option of not varnishing your work at all or using one that contains a low-odour solvent. Many artists don’t varnish as they don’t like the look and feel of it or for health and safety reasons. I do varnish my work but it is something you’d have to decide for yourself.
Winsor & Newton Artisan Oil Paints – safe and no need for solvents
Water-Based Oils
If you want to cut out the toxicity of oil painting, one alternative is to use water-based oils such as Winsor & Newton Artisan, Holbein Duo and quite a few other brands. I have used Artisan in the past and although they feel slightly different from traditional oils you can thin the paint and clean your brushes with just water. The manufacturers produce special mediums for these paints that are solvent free as well. You can mix them with traditional oils although you would then need different mediums (not water-based but more traditional ones) and cleaning materials if you do. Plenty of artists use these paints with pleasure so I am sure they are worth a go.
Reduce the Risk
In a nutshell, it is very easy to work without toxic materials and it should not be a reason to stay away from oils. If you use solvents (in a medium or a brush cleaner) do remember to keep the lid closed, use it sparingly and make sure your room is well ventilated. If you decide to cut out solvents there are plenty of options for you.
Online artists groups on and social media are full of advice and experienced artists who happily share their experiences so do some online research and find your own ideal way. Personally I have not banned all toxic materials from my studio, although I did in the past, but use them as sparingly as I can. Use common sense and don’t eat your paint – all should be well!
In Sophie’s Art School you can…
- Learn how to paint without using solvents
- Learn about oil painting (beginners and more advanced!)
- Find a supportive family of fellow students to support and encourage you!
- What are you waiting for?
Good morning, Sophie!
I read your blog about potential toxicity in paints and solvents with great interest. I am a 73 year old guy who just started oil painting within the last 4 or 5 years and absolutely love it! In fact, I have returned to the University of N.C. at Asheville to finish an art degree I started decades ago. Yep! I also have emphysema/COPD from a lifetime of lung problems (not a smoker.) So I have stopped using solvents, turps, etc and am using environmentally friendly alternatives.
As to the paint, art teachers and others I have questioned said that the paints are indeed non-toxic as far as inhalation, but of course you don't want to eat them or absorb too much heavy metal through your skin. I have, though read from some that claim ill effects from using oils in an enclosed space. I know the higher end paints, often handmade are pigment and oil, but I am wondering if some of the less expensive student grade paints that use inferior pigments might use solvents or solvent like material as binders or to make the paint more "flowable." I can smell the paint on my palette, but it doesn't seem like a solvent.
I am very interested and plan to contact some of the art suppliers and perhaps manufacturers to double check, maybe there are product safety type pamphlets from them.
Thanks for your excellent article.
Thank you for posting this article, Sophie, as toxicity is a major concern for me. You mentioned that you don't use cadmium (and cobalt) oil paints and that you haven't missed them. I would greatly appreciate it you would email back to tell me what synthetic alternatives you use. Thank you!!!
Hi Deborah, thanks for your comment! Most good oil painting brands will have good alternatives: a good (primary) red, blue and yellow. Choose the colours you like best, experiment and try out. Of course the cadmiums are much stronger colourants than most alternatives, but I’ve been very happy with alternatives. It is hard to to mention specific alternatives as each brand will have a variety of reds, yellows and blues.
Hello Sophie,
in a search for non- yellowing oils, ultimately used in oils painting on wood, I have notice the mention of mineral oils as apparently the only one that does not yellow.
Trying to follow up I have not been able to find even one comment on the use of mineral oil in painting. Have you been able to gain information… or better yet experience with it. And, what may be its down-side. Can mineral oil be used in oil painting?
What would be its properties such as resistance to water, heat and abbrasion. What about drying times?
Looking forward to you information and advice,
Christine
Hi Christine, I am afraid I cannot help with mineral oils, I don’t know anything about it ever being used for oil painting. But I would say that yellowing is generally not a problem for oil painters. If you use a good quality oil paint that is not full of fillers and oil (but full of pigment!) and you don’t add too much yourself (or not at all!) then you should be fine. It is also generally recommended to not use damar as that can cause yellowing. But good quality linseed oil should be absolutely fine!
What you write is misleading and unfair to artists such as myself who have severe responses to some oil paints and fillers, to the point where i have had to discard some paint brands and buy far more expensive others handcrafting by makers with integrity over these issues and who have a green sensibility otherwise.
Some people such as yourself seem not to be sensitive to such oil paints and their additives as you are but rest assured many of us break out in hives, get blurred vision, and need to stop. I have been ill for several days with same as have many others. Read the articles on the web by respected artists before you make statements that could obscure issues and hurt new painters. I find what you write to be appalling. You should know enough to be ashamed of yourself for making such ridiculous blanket statements.
I’m interested to what article you read because the author of this article did explain that some people are sensitive to oil paint and their solvents. She also gives you the alternative to working in oils without solvents and the water soluble oils. Not everyone can or wants to work in oils and that’s why there are acrylic and watercolor paints.
I’ve worked in oil paints for years. I take studio safety seriously, use quality paint brands and mediums, and don’t eat the paint or chew on my brushes. I’ve used cadmiums, cobalts, and lead paints because sometimes there just isn’t a quality synthetic alternative. All you need to be safe with these paints is common sense.
I have not had any problems with my asthma, allergies, or other health issues.
There are currently non-toxic and orderless oil paint mediums on the market that make painting with oils available to more people.
Your blanket statement about the horrors of oil painting are unwarranted and misinformed.
I was handed a cookie by someone who was painting with oil based paint. He did not wash his hands. Am I in danger?
Yes, you will be dead by now. Just kidding. How can you be in danger?
Good question! Because that way I still get to use all the water-mixable oils I've invested in but that are a little too "fluid" for my liking and because the 2nd layer I usually use mediums so I get to use the non-toxic mediums from the water-mixable oil brands and use those up as well and don't have to go for regular oil mediums at all, even if there are ones that are less toxic, I am still highly sensitive to all kinds of chemicals, so I think this is an approach I'd love to play with.
That makes total sense! Have fun!
This article was super helpful, thank you so much! I am realising that the consistency of most water-mixable oils may not me most ideal for the way I paint, I've been researching and found out, regular oil paints, such as W&N are a bit less "fluid" and therefore will probably suit the way I paint better. I will now try regular oil paints without thinner and solvent as my base layer and then use my water-mixable oils with their (apparently) non-toxic mediums on top for refinement. You're article has helped me get more clarity. Thanks so much again!
You are welcome! Why not paint the whole thing with regular oils?
Hi Sophia
Do I have to follow the rule of fat over lean with water based oils. I am new to oils and use a little liquin . I do not complete a painting in one go so have to use a medium if I’m correct.
Regards David
Generally speaking, don’t put a fast drying layer of paint over a (still wet) slow drying layer of paint as the top layer will dry first and seal in the lower layer (which will then never dry and cause cracking etc). Liquin is a fast drying medium. I don’t use any mediums and never-ever complete a painting in one go!
I STarted painting in acrylics and had some good paintings during the pandemic. I now want to try bob ross painting style . I brought a set for 55 online its thr flower set its spring. The price of additional paint is expensive. So I brought Windsor but not the water one. I don't like solvents was thinking about cleaning my brushes with miricale wipes for paint
Not sure if that would harm the bob ross paint bushes which cant be put in water. How do I use the store paint if it's more oil than Bob's. Is there a non solvent base coat that blends like bobs? The only cavas I could get was 2nd level artist . I had been using cheep er canvas. Its thicker but not sure if is what bob would used. I am not so sure if everyone can paint but I recall Bob said we could. So I did now I am hooked. Would the stuff you mentioned work with the Bob's flower set. My set comes on Friday. Poppy oil a good choice as I am allergic to walnut oil. Toattly confused.
If my tubes of Grumbacher say “cleans with water” does that mean they are safe? I received tons and tons of paint from a retired artist that I cared for as a nurse. I have gone to linseed oil and safflower oil.
I love painting and hope to find an instructor someday. Thanks for the informative post.
Peace,
Grace
Hi, thanks for your comment! Oil paints are not toxic (assuming they are normal, traditional oil paints and save for the few that contain toxic pigments). So overall, all oil paints are ‘safe’. If yours say ‘cleans with water’ then I think you have water-mixable oil paints, such as Grumbacher Max. Yours might look different as it might well be a range that Grumbacher no longer makes. Water mixable oil paints, are like the name suggests, mixable with water instead of oils. You can also clean your brushes with water. It is a very useful oil paint and many people enjoy using them. As soon as you start using linseed or safflower oil with them, however, you will lose its water mixability. So you can use linseed oil with these paints, and you can mix them with ‘traditional’ oils, but you just won’t be able to thin or clean with water anymore. I hope that helps! If you are looking for an instructor – do check out my Art School! Happy painting!
Sophie, That was a very instructive blog re. the toxicity in some paints and turpentine. Thanks to you I examined my paints, and replaced some tubes that were possible offenders. And I am more careful with the cleaners and thinners I am using. And thanks to you I have enjoyed your school and workshops these last few months. It is also important to know about others who are sharing the same problems due the recent lockdown and getting through it all with a smile and a dab of color!!!
Thank you, so glad you found it useful. Great to have you in the Art School!
Oil paints are highly toxic if they get on your skins. Your skin is a sponge and an excellent way to absorb toxins into the system. After painting only 2 paintings in which paint got on my hands, all of my auto-immune issues have returned. My entire respiratory system is raw, my tongue is scalloped which means my liver and spleen are overloaded with toxicity. Oil paints are a serious threat to pregnant people. We should be wearing gloves when we work. 😐
Sorry to hear about your health problems. But I don’t think oil paints are toxic. They are pigment and oil, basically and unless the pigment is highly toxic, the paints are perfectly safe.
Hi Sophie, I want you to suggest me a cryogenic blue material which can be used as an oil paint, it must also be neutral to acids and alkalies
Sorry, can’t help there.
I know this is a really old thread but I have steered away from oil because I worried about toxicity. I’m a water color, acrylic girl so far but after reading everyone’s helpful comments I’m going try oil.
Laura
Yay! That’s great to read Laura! Oils can easily be used without having to deal with toxic materials. I do it every day. Happy Painting!
When I first began buying artist grade oil paints nearly a decade ago, I was torn between safety concerns and using more historical pigments (e.g. lead white, lemon yellow, naples yellow). I chose the safer course with only the cadmiums (red and yellow). I use Gloves In A Bottle barrier cream, and am very careful about eating and drinking while I paint (wet wipes are useful when working outside). I use Gamsol as my solvent, keeping it tightly closed when not in use (I am planning on transitioning to oil of spike instead). After cleaning my brushes in Gamsol, I wash them with Escoda brush bar soap (an excellent product!). I don’t paint indoors, unless I can do so away from my cats, and am very conscious about keeping my supplies secured safely away from them. I recently purchased cobalt blue. I don’t feel as apprehensive as I once did, as I feel reasonably confident in my studio practices to limit my exposure. The next big step will be lead white, which will have to wait until I have a secure studio workspace. Maybe eventually I might even try a tube of vermillion! I feel it’s up to the individual artist to decide for themselves what medium, paints, solvents (if any), and studio practices they use. My only advice is “No harm,” to you, your loved ones and pets, and the environment.
Well said! No Harm is a good mantra. 🙂
Hey Sophie thanks for this post. I use mostly old Holland, Daniel Smith and Mussini and I am painting daily. Are these safe oils to use? I don’t want to wear gloves which I’ve seen a few artists do, but I can’t get the same grip with my paint brush, however I constantly have my hands covered so ye, just thought I’d check to see if those brands are OK? Many thanks In advance.
Hi Dani, thanks for stopping by! The brands you mention are all very good brands and you should be fine with them. That said, there are no brands I know of that require more safety measures than others. So which brand you use makes little difference. Of course it is up to each artist how far they want to go with safety. Although some artist wear gloves just so they don’t have to wash their hands so often! It might have nothing to do with safety.
In general, and if you work sensibly, there is no real need for gloves. Most paint pigments are not toxic nor can be absorbed through the skin. But some pigments are a little toxic, such as cadmiums and cobalts (and lead of course) so it depends on what you use and how you use it. Again, even with cadmium paints there is no real need for gloves and most artists I know don’t use them, but we all do what we think is best.
Hi Annemie and Sophie,
Many people are allergic to linseed oil and (flaxseed) and it can cause severe problems, including bronchitis. Allergies can cause inflammation in the lungs. There are several brands of oil paint that use safflower or walnut oil. I have a linseed allergy and, when I use oil paints that have linseed in them, my lymph nodes swell up and I get tired and have asthma attacks. It can be a super dangerous allergy, even causing anaphalaxis, so use caution.
Thanks for that info Lori! Good to know.
hah! Brilliant! You are proof that it works. No need for turps whatsoever. Do be careful you don’t end up painting with cooking oil-remains (as it won’t dry) so rinse out with soap perhaps. Thanks for sharing Ian!
I use walnut oil as a medium. Do you think I can also use it to clean my brushes? And then dish liquid after?
Absolutely! Just make sure the oil doesn’t dry up so, yes, clean up with dish liquid after.
I use oil paint for my work more then 30 years. There 2 main things I do. I cover pallets with chelopfan and throw it away right after work. I don’t wash brushes at all:) After a work I live them in the glass with usual water (be cereful they can deformated) and during a work I use rag to clean them.
After many years of work with oil I am sure it isn’t so toxic as factory were build near my house 🙂
Hi Raen, thanks for that – very useful to know!
Hi
Just something to add here as I used to also do some sign painting and worked with some older gentleman in the trade. Keep in mind professional sign paints used to have a lot of lead so that you could do lettering in one stroke. This was considered legal since the signage was not meant to come into a home or residence. I think a sign paint calked ‘One shot’ is still sold today … so computers and laser vinyl cutting machine’s (decals) have pretty much wiped out the trade of hand lettering
Anyways rumor had it that some of the guys that got sick and or cancer of some sorts was likely primarily due to never washing their hands before lunch or dinner each day. It may seem like a little bit, it may appear to be dry…. but if you do it daily after many years suddenly it’s not such a small amount your consuming. And there are dozens of foods we eat with their hands , particularly at lunch- sandwiches, fruit, cookies etc.
But I knew if at least one older guy firsthand that passed away at what would be considered fairly young, I don’t think he was even 60.
So don’t be lazy or careless is my message, regardless how inoculate you think it is
Chris
Hi Chris, sorry for not getting back to you earlier. You make some excellent points, thanks so much!
I clean my brushes about every hour or so (when it gets a bit stiff) with a little bit of turps and put all used turps immediately in a closed container and dispose it outside my house. I clean my palette with alcohol which I think is less toxic than turps and works great even for partially dries paint. If possible I open the window too when I clean them.
If I really need some on my painting eg when thinning paint or removing or cleaning part of the painting, I use zest-it instead of turps. Seems to work as well but with less stench. But I avoid this if possible. I also dispose items that have zest on them just like the turp stuff.
I avoid cleaning brushes with non-drying oils (eg sunflower or safflour) as they will end up in your paint and then cause drying problems (there is a post on wetcanvas from someone having a partially non-drying painting due to this). Linseed oil on itself also dries very slow.
And yes, oil paint DOES smell as well. I use old holland and it smells a bit. Not annoying but I’m not sure what it is. But it does NOT smell like linseed oil. More like lightly burned caster oil or so.
Besides pigment that might be toxic and oil, there is probably a small amount of cobalt dryer in the paint which is carcinogenic. I don’t know if the pigment and dryer can come into the air.
I use an air cleaner with carbon filter that auto-detects even small amounts of alcohol and turps and goes to full speed when I use these. It keeps running at low speed all day even when I’m not painting.
Hi Wouter, thanks so much for your wonderful comment. I am sure this is very useful to a lot of people!
This is something I struggled with for years too, so can empathise.
I had a very wise Italian art teacher a few years ago who told me that before solvents were used painters used vegetable oil. He recommended sunflower oil to clean brushes, without the need to use expensive marketed alternatives.
One thing to be sure of is that it’s 100% sunflower oil without antioxidants, which most are, and will show in the ingredients.
After cleaning brushes in the sunflower oil do ensure that they are thoroughly wiped clean with paper towel and wash with soap and water too if preferred.
I have to say I was so happy to be told about something and wanted to share it because it’s so simple and inexpensive, which changed my life and most likely my health!
Hi J, thanks for the tip! As long as you wash out the oil really, really well this should work brilliantly. Thanks so much for sharing. 🙂
Hi so to be clear for any one further reading this and to my findings of searching on this it would seem that to sit painting with oil paints is fine (ie paints with just linseed or walnut oil mixed in) there would be nothing wrong with breathing that in .It is that old devil turpentine ! he’s the one not to breathe in. Also avoid oil paints being mixed with any solvent type stuff as that would still be bad to breathe in even in its wet state? Personaly I am uber paranoid about this my dad worked in arts always stank of turps and other solvents he is totaly senile and has bad breathing so i steer clear.I make my own paint from pure pigment and JUST OIL no solvents at all hoping these are safe to breathe around in there wet state? unless i don’t know something?
Hi Vic, sorry for the late reply! You got it totally right, it’s that old devil turpentine, indeed! And also paints mixed with solvent-based mediums. You can be perfectly safe with it as long as you take the right precautions. If you make your own paints you also need to be aware of the safety of pigments. My article was just talking about oil paints that are already made and in a tube. If you make your own paint there are a whole new set of safety precautions to take into account as different pigments can be toxic in powder form, but not in paint form ( you cannot breathe in oil paint, but you can breathe in pigment dust for example). Do some research to make sure you are safe.
Hi
I use pure pigment and cold press walnut oil.
I have noticed a bit of a sour Oder as the oil is drying. I have researched and discovered that what I am smelling is rancid oil. Not good to be breathing rancid oil !
ew no, that is no good at all! I don’t know anything about making your own oil paint, but perhaps you have used an oil type that wasn’t suitable… Maybe some others reading here can advice.
Hi Sophie,
The turps and volatiles contained in them are a potential cause for lymphoma and other respiratory cancers. These cancers are generally due to long term repeated exposures and not something that would happen after only a few uses. Bob Ross for example, died of lymphoma, and I personally know a number of other people who worked with volatiles of various kinds who also came down with this cancer after a number of years of intermittent exposure. As an oil painter I struggle with this shadow all the time – how to paint as safely as possible. Thank you and your commenters for the great ideas!
You’re welcome Jeff! I personally hardly use any solvents so I am proof it is really very possible to do. Happy Painting!
Hi Sophie. Another useful blog post, thank you. I use zest-it solvent. It’s just as good as turps with none of the problems. I paint a lot indoors so I don’t want any fumes. I tried turps and sansodor but found they gave me headaches and that meant I was not enjoying painting. I also use the zest-it solvent to clean my brushes and palette.
Hi Chris, great to hear. I have never tried Zest-it but heard good things and am tempted to try it soon as I just realised Sansodor makes my eyes irritated. That can’t be good. So I’ll try working without it for a while, or else try zest-it.
Thanks again for thinking along and sharing your experiences!
I agree with the gist of this post – that oil paint is not hazardous, and that it is perfectly possible to paint without using solvents.
But I have a problem with your statement that “Oil paint itself does not smell of anything”. I have painted with oils for many years – and they REEK. If you cannot smell them then you must not have a nose! They smell of, well, oil. Very strongly, and for days after use as the painting cures.
Hi Kent, thanks for commenting! Ah yes, indeed… oil paint does smell of linseed oil… a little…But I have not come across many artists that find this a strong smell. I can smell it, but it is very faint indeed. I suppose it is a personal thing!! Thanks again 🙂
Hi and sorry to barge in on a very old thread. I just ended up here by googling ‘strong smell of oil paints’ after using them for the first time. Even after only opening the tube the smell is so strong that I got slightly dizzy from it. I’ve only tested a drop of it on a piece of paper and the smell is everywhere. On the brush, on the paper, even in the room. It’s a very strong smell, making me dizzy. My bf smelled it too and he agrees. I’m using a cheap Italian brand, as I’m just starting out – Ferrario. But I’m just very confused to hear you say oil paints don’t smell. I can’t imagine I’ll be able to paint indoors and without wearing a face mask or something of sorts. Is it my paints?
Hi Andrea, not old at all, this post remains read daily! I must admit I am very confused by your story. I do not know the brand (will look it up) but I have no idea what the smell could be. It could only be linseed oil and pigment. What does it smell it of?
Andrea, I think I solved the mystery of the smelling Ferrario paints. Have a look at this thread on Wetcanvas – it explains all: http://www.wetcanvas.com/forums/showthread.php?t=768511
Thank you! Yes, I use linseed oil a lot too for wiping paint off etc. Great tip, thanks!
Hi. I couldn’t stand the turpentine and I worry about fumes with my cat. I’ve actually been cleaning my brushes with baby oil. It’s cheap and obviously not toxic. It does a good job of cleaning the oil paint. I use it to wash my hands too. You just need to use a little soap afterwards to rinse off the rest.
Hi Kathryn, thanks for your comment! Yes, I have heard more people doing that, great idea!
Hi. I enjoyed your website..and..your paintings. Congrats. I’m now AGE 73, reside in California, USA . I invite you to see my website..dedicated to SAFE FINE ART painting in various media.
Best wishes…Louis
Hi Louis, thanks for stopping by and great to see how well you are doing with safe paint supplies!
Hi , I am new into painting. I just started with acrylic paint . I want to use oil now. I googled and found out that there are natural earth paints out there , why not use them ?
Hi, thanks for your comment. I am afraid I don’t know the brand Natural Earth and so have never tried them! Enjoy and happy painting!
Hi Sophie.I love painting in oils, but started getting Lung Problems often,every winter I get so sick. I dont use turps anymore , I use Masters and other oil products to clean brushes. Got better,but now starting with bronchitis again.Could it be something in the oil paint?I use Winsor and Newton.
Thanks,Annemie
Hi Annemie, so sorry to hear of your health problems! I am no doctor but I doubt it is something in the oil paint. You might want to double check the other products you use. I don’t think the paint can cause bronchitis. Good luck and get well soon! Sophie
Years ago, about 45, I was able to paint, using oil and pastels. Life happened. Four children, working full time while pursuing a college degree, a husband that worked rotating shifts and then opening my own business pushed my love of art to the back of my life. Now at 80 years old, I am prepared to become another Grandma Moses.
Dear Ruth, I am sorry for my late reply! Thank you for commenting on my blog and I wish you all the best with your new art adventure!! Wonderful to hear – you are never too old for art. 🙂
On hols staying in someone else’s space I’ve cleaned brushes at the end of the day using standard cooking oil. No smell, cheap and sold everywhere.
hah! Brilliant! You are proof that it works. No need for turps whatsoever. Do be careful you don’t end up painting with cooking oil-remains (as it won’t dry) so rinse out with soap perhaps. Thanks for sharing Ian!
Brilliant tips! Actually, you can even avoid that problem with just cleaning your brushes with linseed oil 🙂 I let all my brushes stand in linseed oil when I’m not using them (held up by clothes pins so they don’t touch the bottom of the oil container). An added bonus with this is that the linseed oil gets thicker as it reacts with the air, and when it reaches the desired consistency you can use it to paint with and get awesomely lush paint ^_^
Great ideas here, thank you for sharing!