In a previous article we discussed the different
oils that can be used with oil paint. In this article we will
focus on solvents.
There are basically two varieties of solvent suitable for use with
your oil paint and oil painting mediums. The first, turpentine,
comes from the distilled sap of pine trees. It is the most powerful
of the solvents, but also the most toxic as it is easily
absorbed through the skin. It’s quick evaporation rate makes exposure
through inhalation a danger, too. Turpentine has the lowest
flash point (the point at which vapors can be ignited) of any
commonly used artists’ solvent, and the lowest safe exposure
rating. Turpentine still has its place in the artist’s
studio as an ingredient in many traditional oil painting mediums due
to its ability to dissolve damar crystal.
The other variety of solvent is a petroleum
distillate. There are many derivatives that fall under
this heading, but the most common are mineral spirits and odorless mineral spirits (Turpenoid, Mona
Lisa and Gamsol are a few proprietary names).
Mineral spirits have a slightly slower evaporation rate than turpentine
though the vapor is still harmful. Odorless mineral spirits, as the
name implies, is less toxic because the dangerous aromatic solvent has
been removed. OMS also has a higher flash point than
regular mineral spirits and a safe exposure level up to three times
that of turpentine. Mineral spirits and OMS are both appropriate for
diluting paint and for use in non-resin-based mediums.
Of all the solvents we sell at Wet Paint, Gamblin’s OMS Gamsol is considered the safest, based on speed of evaporation, toxicity of
vapor, safe exposure level and flash point. There are many other “non-toxic”
cleaners on the market, but these are unsuitable for use in oil painting
mediums or for dilution of the paint itself, as they may contain detergents.
This was originally to be a two-part article, but we haven’t
even touched on oil painting mediums or the differences
between brands of oil paint. Look for these topics in future newsletters.
Related Articles:
Oil Mediums
