Remember chemistry courses? “oil and water do not mix“. Yes…that was before… Today with chemical modifications, paint manufacturers can produce fabulous oil paints that can be mixed with water.
I wanted to discover this new generation of oil colour which is not afraid of water. So, I tried 2 colour ranges: COBRA (by Royal Talens) and ARTISAN (by Winsor & Newton). I’ll introduce the paints and their qualities and then my personal opinion.
COBRA or ARTISAN, water mixable oil colours have the same characteristics.
1 / Quality :
- The same sensations as conventional oil : smooth, and buttery consistency.
- Allows you to rework and retouch colours longer than with acrylic.
- When combined with conventional oils and mediums (the mixture becomes harder to break down with water).
NOTICE: Always apply colours respecting the fat over lean principle.
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2 / Odour:
- Has a slight odour, similar to that found in the workshops of artists using oil paint.
- No added discomfort caused by Turpentine or White Spirit used with the traditional oil painting.
- Is perfect for people who are allergic to solvents, sensitive to odours or working in an enclosed space.
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3 / On the palette :
- Use small amounts of colour to avoid waste.
- Less addition of fresh colours on the palette because of the longer drying time.
TIP: To keep your colours on the palette, use a Wet Palette.
4 / Surfaces to use :
- Thick cardboard to prevent warping.
- canvas board.
- canvas stretched and primed on an open frame.
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5/ Brushes:
- Natural hog bristle is not well adapted to water mixable oil colour, so select synthetic fibres.
- thick and Impasto: bristled, painting knives
- graduations and glazes: bristle
NOTICE: Preferably use brushes with seamless ferrules to prevent corrosion.
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6 / Diluent :
- Diluent can be replaced by water. The addition of water or medium can alter the brightness of the colours.
- For an even mixture: add water in small quantities in your colours.
- Less water brings better adhesion to the colours.
NOTICE: Mediums affect the characteristics of the painting and are often essential to achieve a sustainable painting.
TIP: 50% water 50% oil (water mixable) to replace mixing with “Turpentine + Linseed oil”. Be careful, too much Linseed oil can result in the appearance of wrinkles on the surface of the painting.
7 / Varnishes:
- Are used for better paint protection (protect from dirt and dust).
NOTICE: wait at least 6 months before you varnish a completed painting.
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8/ The drying of the paint:
- The thickness of the paint layers has an impact on the drying time which is still longer than that of acrylic painting
- Quick drying [+/-2 days]: Prussian blue, Umber Earth
- Average drying [+/-5 days]: cadmium hues, phthalocyanine blue and green, Siena, Ultramarine, Ochres, White, Black.
- Slow drying [+ 5 days]: Cadmiums, permanent quinacridone rose, permanent alizarin crimson.
NOTICE: To avoid yellowing do not dry in the dark or in a humid room.
9 / the cleaning of equipment:
- between each change of colors, brushes wash easily in water.
- As with acrylic, use water + brush soap to clean your brushes or hands.
NOTICE: Dried paint is a bit more difficult to clean.
10 / My choice :
- a) Royal Talens – COBRA
Royal Talens COBRA is a paint made from modified oil.
- Range of 40 STUDENT Colours (40ml or 200ml tubes), 5 opaque, more affordable than EXTRA FINE
- Range of 70 EXTRA FINE Colours (40ml or 150ml tubes), 27 opaque
- Varnish
- Glazing Medium
- Painting Medium
- Painting Paste
- b) Winsor & Newton – ARTISAN
Winsor & Newton ARTISAN is a paint made from modified oil.
- Range of 40 EXTRA FINE Colours (37ml or 200ml tubes) 16 opaque
- Thinning medium
- Linseed oil
- Safflower oil
- Stand oil
- Painting medium
- Fast drying medium
- Impasto medium
- Matt varnish, Satin varnish
- Varnish remover
Personally, I prefer ARTISAN to COBRA even if it has a narrower range, it offers more auxiliary products. I also find it oilier than Cobra, more slippery and affordable.
It’s certain; this new generation of paint makes it easier for artists who paint in oil. The colours are beautiful and brilliant. The buttery texture gives a velvet touch to your brush. The cleaning of equipment becomes child’s play.
On the other hand, for artists who love to work fast and that use the acrylic (like me), the drying time is still a bit long.
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11/ Your turn :
What do you think of water mixable oil colour?
Your opinion interests me. Feel free to share in the comments just below.
DISCLAIMER : cet article est une collaboration sponsorisée. Je fais partie des artistes référents qui utilisent le matériel proposé par Le Géant des Beaux-Arts.fr et Great Art.co.uk. Vous venez de lire mon article issu de cette collaboration. Au risque de me répéter, sachez que j’apprécie les marques distribuées par ce partenaire depuis des années, et que je suis convaincue de la qualité du matériel destiné aux artistes et aux personnes créatives. Même si cela paraît logique, je précise que je suis LIBRE sur la thématique et le choix des produits mis en avant, LIBRE sur le contenu, LIBRE de donner mon VÉRITABLE avis, et c’est également pour cette raison que ce partenariat est important car je peux donner libre cours à mon imagination et ainsi proposer du contenu frais et de qualité.
