Rethinking My Practice: An Environmentally Minded Approach to Oil Painting

Jan 125 min read

My palette and easel w/ WIP portrait of my daughter Georgia

In 2020, when I returned to my studio practice, my approach to painting had to change. With four children, two of whom are medically complex, I needed to create a safer environment that considered their health and well-being, especially for my oldest, who has severe allergies and asthma. This personal challenge sparked a journey to reimagine my beloved oil painting practice in a way that was both health-conscious and environmentally responsible.

When I learned the mische technique in the early 2000s, I was introduced to traditional recipes for creating additive painting mediums. These formulas, many of which date back to the 18th century, rely on hazardous ingredients that require careful preparation and handling. The purpose of these additive mediums is to alter the paint’s viscosity, surface finish, or drying time. By understanding each ingredient and how it behaves, whether oil, solvent, resin, or siccative, artists achieve greater control over the paint, expand their techniques, and create structurally sound artworks that stand the test of time.

But these traditional formulas containing ingredients like: damar varnish, picture varnish, rectified turpentine, and Venice turpentine, have one significant downside - they are highly toxic. From respiratory issues to skin irritation, the resins and solvents pose serious health risks. While I knew how to handle, store, and dispose of these materials safely, I couldn’t justify bringing such hazardous substances into my home studio, where they could impact my children’s health.

Giving up oil painting wasn’t an option, so I needed to find a safer solution.

Dispelling Myths About Oil Paints

Before I share how I adapted my practice, let’s clear up a common myth: oil paints themselves are not inherently toxic. Oil paints are made with two simple ingredients: pigment and a binder, usually linseed oil. The pigments used in oil paints are the same pigments found in acrylic paints and watercolor paints, meaning their toxicity (or lack thereof) depends entirely on the specific pigment, not the paint type.

Certain pigments, such as lead white, cadmiums, and some iron oxides, are toxic and can be absorbed through the skin. These pigments have been used historically across all types of paint, not just oils, and their level of risk remains the same regardless of the paint type. For example, cadmium red in oil paint is no more hazardous than cadmium red in acrylic or watercolor paint. Proper handling practices, such as wearing gloves, keeping paint away from food or drink, and washing your hands if you do get paint on your skin, can mitigate these risks.

The real source of toxicity in oil painting lies not in the paint itself but in the materials traditionally used alongside it, primarily solvents and additive mediums. Turpentine, mineral spirits, and other heavy solvents emit harmful fumes, making them unsafe to inhale in poorly ventilated spaces. Similarly, some resins, such as damar varnish, release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that can be hazardous with prolonged exposure. These substances are common in traditional oil painting practices because they serve essential functions, such as thinning paint, speeding up drying time, or adding a glossy finish just to name a few.

It’s worth noting that many artists have used these materials safely for years, myself included, by employing proper safety precautions like working in well-ventilated spaces, wearing gloves, and properly storing and disposing of materials. However, when I returned to my studio practice with my children’s medical needs in mind, I knew these traditional solvents and resins were not an option for my home studio. I needed to find a safer, healthier way to continue my oil painting practice while prioritizing the well-being of my family.

Discovering Water-Soluble Oils

After extensive research, I decided to try water-soluble oil paints. These paints are chemically modified to mix with water, eliminating the need for toxic solvents like turpentine. This innovation promised the look and feel of traditional oils while offering a safer and more environmentally friendly solution.

However, switching to water-soluble oils came with challenges. The additive mediums I was familiar with could technically be used, but doing so would defeat the whole purpose of making the switch. Starting fresh with an entirely new paint meant experimenting with my entire process.

Initially, water-soluble oils felt clunky. They behaved somewhat like traditional oils but lacked the same texture. The prepared additive mediums designed for these paints also performed differently than my tried-and-true formulas. The learning curve was steep! Through experimentation, research, and trial and error, I gradually found my rhythm with these new materials.

One drawer of my water soluble oil paints

Five Years of Transformation

Now, five years into using water-soluble oils, I’ve successfully adapted the mische technique to this new paint medium and achieved wonderful results. Do they perform exactly like traditional oil paints? No, they are very much their own thing. I do miss certain properties of traditional oil paints, like their buttery texture and the hard, glass-like surface achievable with traditional techniques.

But the benefits far outweigh any nostalgia I have for my old materials. Water-soluble oils dry faster, therefore eliminating the need for siccatives. I clean my brushes with a solvent free of carcinogenic fumes and petroleum, and cleanup is as simple as soap and water. These changes have transformed my practice, allowing me to create safely while protecting my family’s health, and reducing my environmental impact as an oil painter.

Investing in Mindful Art

The investment in time, money, and knowledge has been worth it. I am proud of the fact that I can create beautiful work while approaching the responsibilities of my craft with care, including being mindful of its impact on the people around me and the planet. By choosing water-soluble oils, I’ve prioritized my family’s health and reduced my environmental footprint without compromising the quality of my paintings. I have fully embraced the blending of traditional techniques with thoughtfully sourced materials to deliver artwork that is as mindful as it is beautiful.