Non-Toxic Artist Grade Watercolors

[jpnc]

I have been toying around with student grade colors and would like to try my hand with Artist Grade paints. As I paint at home in a room that is also used by my kids I would like to avoid those pigments that are toxic. My initial thought is to buy 8 tubes and mix to get whatever hues that I want (I need to practice my mixing):

1 cool red
1 cool blue
1 cool yellow
1 warm red
1 warm blue
1 warm yellow
1 white
1 black

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

JP

[rcollege]

I have the same concerns with my two sons- they get into everything.
After tons of research I finally came to the conclusion that what we know may be much better than what we don’t know.

Being in the field of biotech, I’ve had to read various msds sheets- Even more so as I was part of the on site hazmat team. I also make my own paints- thus I have learned of the toxicity of the pigments in raw form.

First- Student watercolors are usually the same pigments as artist grade- just not as much pigment- more filler. Cadmiums and Cobalts are generally only used in the Artist grade of paints.

My advise would be to look at MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheets)sheets…look at acute toxicity for ingestion…then first aid for ingestion.

You may be suprised what is toxic…and what you thought was very toxic may not be the case…I am very suprised to find that many of the cadmium colors basically recommend flushing mouth with plenty of water- in case of discomfort call a physician…then a burnt umber says get immediate medical attention.

I have had conversations with Art from M. Graham. He uses great quality pigments. High quality pigments are usually safer than others. Just because its a pthalo blue doesn’t make it safe…and just because its a cadmium doesn’t mean it should be regarded as highly toxic.
M. Graham colors would be a great line to start with. Find out what the msds says and go from there.

Just remember if you use something you think is highly toxic…then you will tend to be much more careful- and seeing as we still know very little of the effects of the newer “non toxic” synthetic organic colors (many which are less than 20yrs old)…the best thing to do is treat them all as highly toxic…
low quality phalo blues, prussian blues(which can yeild cyanide gas when burned), quinacridones- (known to possibly cause dermititis) and even eating low quality ultramarine blue can be highly toxic as the sulfide mixes with the stomach fluids to create hydrogen sulfide gas. There really is no way to go non-toxic…and permanent…just use common sense and read the msds sheets…look under first aid for ingestion- if it says rinse mouth with water and consult physician if any discomfort…thats a good paint. If it says get immediate medical help…leave that one on the shelf.

Personally,
I have found that the cadmium colors are not as toxic as many are lead to believe. Cadmium sulfide is very stable and difficult to break down the chemical bond…there is little if no cadmium that is broken down by the body.
Cadmium sulfide is used for the yellow and cadmium selenide is used for the red…varying the amounts of sulfide and selenide gives the oranges and reds in between.
High quality cadmium colors are ok for non food contact packaging…so your cereal box may have cadmium colors- though doubtful. They are often used in plastics…due to their stabilty- which means you’re exposed to it in everyday life.

Cobalts are a different story…though some spinel cobalts are generally ok…mainly the medium blues.

[FONT=Book Antiqua]Create like the wind!
[FONT=Palatino Linotype]Roger College

[Yorky Administrator Ormskirk]

Thanks for that sensible analysis Roger – there are so many toxic substances in everyday life it is good to see a measured response.

Doug

Some of my paintings over the years
We must leave our mark on this World

[ReggieS]

My advice is since most are toxic to some extent and you want to paint, put them all in a locked box and put the key or combination in an unreachable place. “Call your doctor” means you child may still get sick but not necessarily severely ill. Ill is ill either way you look at it. You can protect your children the same way you protect them from cleaning fluids, lock them up. Paint and enjoy it, when you’re done, lock them away.
Have fun painting!!

Reggie

Life is short so savor every moment!

[Author]

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