Earlier this year, I went back to painting in oils instead of acrylics. Lately, I have been painting more often than ever and I feel that I am growing increasingly sensitive to my oil paint solvents. So I decided to do some research and figure out if it is possible to paint in oils without using any solvents.

Let me start this article by reminding you that I’m not a doctor! Therefore, I would rather not go in too much detail about the health aspects of the continuous use of chemical solvents that are typically used with oil paint. However, painting with oil paint for a couple of hours, made me feel dizzy, I experienced a loss of appetite and I decided it was time I switch from using chemical solvents with my oils on daily basis. 

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Reasons why you may want to paint in oils without using any solvents?

  1. Health: Solvents can be harmful if inhaled or absorbed through the skin, and they can emit fumes that are dangerous if inhaled in large quantities over a long period of time. Painting without solvents eliminates these health risks, making it a safer option.
  2. Environmental concerns: Solvents can also be harmful to the environment, and some artists prefer to minimize their impact by avoiding their use. Painting without solvents can be a more eco-friendly option.
  3. Texture: Painting without solvents can create interesting textural effects in the paint. By not thinning the paint, it can create a thick impasto that adds depth and dimension to the painting.
  4. Drying time: Painting without solvents can result in a longer drying time, which can be useful for artists who want to work on a painting over a longer period of time. Without solvents, the paint dries more slowly and can be reworked or adjusted more easily.
  5. Cost: Some solvents can be expensive, and painting without solvents can be a more cost-effective option.

Is it possible to paint in oils without using solvents? 

To answer your question, yes! it is possible to paint in oils without using chemical solvents.

In fact, we use solvents to thin oil paints and clean brushes, so I looked for alternatives that can be used for similar purposes.

One alternative to solvents is to use a painting medium that is designed to thin the paint and make it more fluid. These mediums are typically made from a combination of oils and resins and can be added to the paint to make it more workable. Some examples of painting mediums include linseed oil, walnut oil, and poppyseed oil.

I personally recommend this Sun-Thickened Linseed Oil

Another alternative to solvents is to use water-mixable oils. These are a type of oil paint that can be thinned and cleaned up with water instead of solvents. They have the same properties and color range as traditional oil paints, but they are more environmentally friendly and easier to work with.

Can we avoid using oil paint solvents altogether?

If you are looking to avoid solvents altogether, you can also try using natural pigments that can be mixed with oils to create paint. These pigments can be sourced from minerals, plants, and other natural materials and can be ground into a powder and mixed with oil to create paint.

Direct painting or Alla Prima technique

Direct painting, also known as Alla Prima, is a painting technique in which an artist completes a painting in one sitting or session. The term Alla Prima comes from the Italian language and means “at once” or “at the first attempt.” Direct painting doesn’t require the use of any solvents or mediums.

To create successful alla prima paintings using no solvents, start your painting with thin washes of paint to cover the canvas with color (You can also use a thin layer of sun-thickened oil on an acrylic gesso-primed canvas), then use paint straight from the tube for the rest of the painting. You will need a good understanding of your materials and be able to work quickly and efficiently. You must also have an excellent sense of color and be able to make quick color mixing and application decisions.

Painting with a Palette knife

Another way to use no solvents is to oil paint with a palette knife. Painting with a palette knife is a technique in which an artist applies thick layers of oil paint to a canvas using a palette knife instead of a brush. The result is a textural, three-dimensional surface with a unique visual appeal.

One of the primary advantages of using a palette knife instead of a brush is that it allows the artist to apply thick, impasto layers of paint. This technique can create a range of effects, from smooth, blended areas to rough and heavily textured areas.

To create a palette knife painting, you typically start by applying a layer of paint to the canvas with a brush or roller. Once the initial layer is dry, you can then use a palette knife to apply thicker layers of paint, building up texture and depth.

A palette knife painting can be challenging because it’s harder to achieve precise details and fine lines with it. However, many artists embrace the rough and spontaneous feel of the palette knife and use it to create dynamic, expressive works of art.

Conclusion

Overall, there are many ways to paint in oils without using chemical solvents, and with a little experimentation, you can surely find alternative mediums and ideal methods that would work best for you.