Do you love the luminance of oil paints, but struggle with the hazardous cleaning up process? Do you have chemical sensitivities and that make the use of solvents and mediums in your art practice difficult? Are you concerned about exposing family or pets to harmful fumes? If so, water-mixable oils may be the solution for you. So, what are water-mixable oil paints? Read on and find out more!
Overview:
What are Water-mixable oil paints?
How are water-mixable oils made?
Who are Cobra?
How do you use Cobra oil paints?
Why use Cobra mediums?
Can I use regular oil paints with Water-mixable oil paints?
FAQS
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What are Water-mixable oil paints?
Water-mixable oils (also known as water-soluble or water miscible) are still an oil paint. They behave in the same way as traditional oils, the only difference is that water can be used instead of solvent to dilute the paints or for clean-up. Both traditional and water-mixable oils use linseed oil as the binder. However, an emulsifier is added to the binder of water-mixable oils which is what enables the paint to mix with water.
How are water-mixable oils made?
Water-mixable oils are made with ground dry pigment, an oil binder (usually modified linseed oil or modified safflower oil) and an additive that acts as an emulsifier. This is what allows for the oil and water to mix without separating. Oil to water emulsifiers are extremely common these days, especially in cooking and or beauty products.
Who are Cobra?
Cobra is a range of professional water-mixable oil colours offered by Royal Talens. They have created a high-quality, professional grade water-mixable paint that you can use like traditional oils but will allow for a solvent free painting environment. Cobra offers an extensive range of 70 colours to choose from, all of which you can purchase from us here at Art to Art! We also stock a selection of mediums and a brush soap in the Cobra range.
How do you use Cobra water mixable oils?
Treat your Cobra water-mixable oils just like traditional oil paints to create your masterpieces. The only difference will be that you may use water to thin your paints and clean your brushes instead of solvent. Ensure to keep to the fat over lean rule to prevent cracking or instability in your paint layers. Thinning your paints in the earlier stages of your painting with water is acceptable, however you want to be careful not to thin the paint too much as your painting progresses as it may break the paint barrier. This becomes problematic for the longevity of the painting and will create an unstable surface in the varnishing process. Cobra offers a range of specially made water-soluble mediums to add flow to your paints or add transparency. These mediums are perfect for alla prima, layering, glazing and fast drying purposes.
Why use Cobra water-mixable mediums?
Cobra has created a range of water-mixable mediums that are compatible with their water-mixable paints. Though the water-mixable oils can be thinned with water, water is not suitable for the later stages of a painting as it will under bind your paint. Use these similarly to traditional oil mediums, but with the advantage of still being able to wash and dilute with just water! Cobra’s available mediums are as follows:
091 Medium:
The viscous nature of the Cobra Painting Medium 091 makes Cobra oil paints smoother and fatter. This will add flow to your paint, eliminate brushstrokes and adds a universal sheen to the painting. This product is perfect of layering and alla prima techniques!
092 Glazing medium:
The Cobra Glazing Medium 092 is a fluid medium, best for adding flow and transparency to your oil paints. As it is of high fat content, this medium is best used in the final few layers of your painting for a glazing effect.
093 Quick Dry Medium:
Cobra’s 093 Quick Drying Medium is best for a painter in a hurry! Perfect of the alla prima painter who is looking to speed up the drying time of their paints. In our experience, Cobra oil paints can be slower drying than other oils. Some painters may find it beneficial to add a few drops to their Cobra Oil Paints to improve the drying time. This medium is also perfect for increasing flow, gloss, and transparency.
FAQ
Can I use regular oil paints with water-mixable oil paints?
Yes, you can use water-mixable oils with regular oils, however once they mix with regular oil paints, they will no longer be water-mixable.
Are water-mixable oils still toxic?
Any oil paint can be toxic, depending on which pigments are used. Typically, oil paint is most unsafe if ingested or inhaled. Water-soluble paints remove the need for solvents in the cleaning up process, thus making it the safer option. Implementing safe studio practices will limit your exposure to toxicity is reduced during your painting sessions.
Are the same colours available?
Cobra Artist oil paints are a professional artist range which consist of 70 artist quality colours. This range of paints offers most of the colours an artist could ask for!
Does it need to be sealed with an oil varnish?
It is beneficial to varnish any painting once completed, as it protects the surface of the painting and adds a uniform finish to the painting. You can only use an oil painting varnish over a water-mixable oil painting.
Can I apply acrylic paint over the top of my water mixable oils?
No, you cannot paint acrylics over the top of your water-mixable oils. Acrylic paint cannot adhere to oil paint thus, it will flake off. You can paint oil paints over acrylic paints though.
That’s everything you need to know about water-mixable oils! If you’re curious or hoping to move away from traditional oils we highly recommend giving Cobra water-mixable oils a try. Looking for more art supplies online? Try our range of art paper sheets, art boards and sketch pads. And if you have any questions or enquiries, please do not hesitate to contact us online.
