1/16/2012 Product Info's Tip of the Week:Water Mixable Oils Tips

[Blick Art Materials]

Water -mixable, - miscible and - soluble are interchangeable terms all used to describe oil colors that can be cleaned up without using solvents. Most water mixable colors can be mixed with traditional oil colors, however the more you add, the more work a soap and water cleanup becomes. While it may vary from one brand to brand, the general rule is to use no more than 30% regular oil colors to 70% water mixable oil color to retain an easy soap & water cleanup.

Water mixable oil colors have a modified binder in the linseed oil which is what allows the paint to be easily cleaned up with soap and water. Most brands may be thinned with water also however best results will be achieved by using mediums specifically formulated for each individual brand.
You may also want to keep in mind that different brands of water mixable oils are not necessarily compatible. Unlike regular oil paints and painting mediums, it is not usually recommended to use water-mixable mediums interchangeably between brands. Each different brand will usually have their own recommendations as to what they should and should not be mixed with though so it is a good idea to read up on the brand(s) you choose to work with.
For the best results overall when using water mixable oils, keep these basic rules in mind also:
1). Fat over lean to retain the rate of flexibility.
2) Keep ratios of medium to paint in recommended perspective.
3) Use synthetic fiber brushes.


Angela L.
Product Information Specialist



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