Acrylic or water based Oils? (help me decide) - Page 2

[rush2ady]

oh dear.  Sorry to hear that! 

maybe others have suggestions on how they do a solvent free set up?  I'm sure there are other methods out there.

Maybe if you are used to acrylics, and like them, it might be simplest.  But yes, there is this attitude in the art world about oils being more valuable.  Even at the online gallery where I sell, the asking price for an equivalent size/style of oil painting is higher than the acrylic paintings.  I was shocked someone bought an 8 X 10" for $200 from me.  And it was one of my simpler paintings.  I seriously doubt the same subject would've sold for that price if it was in acrylics.

I used to use acrylics, but now paint in oils.  I was really intimidated at first, but like pp said, they are not as complicated as people make them out to be.  I find them very forgiving and lend themselves well to my slow dawdling way of painting.  And I love that I can take a lunch break just leaving everything out, and not worry about the paint drying out or the brushes getting ruined with dried paint.  I don't have kids yet, but I imagine with the interruptions of kids, oils might be easier to leave and return to. 

And my instructor taught me a nice trick to keep paints on the palette wet longer.  I keep my palette in a Masterson stay wet palette box, and when I seal it up for the day, I put a few drops of clove oil on a cotton ball and put it inside.  It's great to come back the next day and still have the palette set up, absolutely effortless--just open my box and everything's ready to go again.  Pure awesomeness for lazy ole me!

Also, try contacting Gamblin paints.  I've contacted them before with a question and they were very helpful.  They emphasize health and safety in their paint line, so if you let them know you want to paint solvent free, I think they would have suggestions.

http://www.gamblincolors.com/

Originally Posted by DaughterOfKali 

Sadly, I'm allergic to nuts.

Can you believe that I still haven't started painting again?  Something always comes up (rent, utilities, clothing for ds, etc) and I never get a chance to buy supplies.

[TylerVo]

These two mediums are far different from each other. Water based oils may have a more translucent quality while acrylics are thicker. Keep in mind that acrylic paint takes only a maximum of ten minutes to dry while oils can take longer than 24 hours. So depending on whether you want to work wet on dry or wet on wet more is up to you. It's all about subject matter and what you want to paint.

[melissa17s]

Kali, Have you started painting yet?  I was thinking, if you have acrylic brushes, it is ok to use them for oils.  Once you use them for oil, though, you can not use them for acrylic.  Also, I used to work at a coop studio, and neither turpentine or mineral spirits were allowed.  The oil painters used soap like this one.  

[DaughterOfKali]

Originally Posted by TylerVo 

These two mediums are far different from each other. Water based oils may have a more translucent quality while acrylics are thicker. Keep in mind that acrylic paint takes only a maximum of ten minutes to dry while oils can take longer than 24 hours. So depending on whether you want to work wet on dry or wet on wet more is up to you. It's all about subject matter and what you want to paint.

Yep, I know how different they are.

Originally Posted by melissa17s 

Kali, Have you started painting yet?  I was thinking, if you have acrylic brushes, it is ok to use them for oils.  Once you use them for oil, though, you can not use them for acrylic.  Also, I used to work at a coop studio, and neither turpentine or mineral spirits were allowed.  The oil painters used soap like this one.  

No, haven't started yet.  Life has been so very hectic.

[lastrid]

Just a note on the alternative solvents  They are actually more toxic than turpentine because they are petrochemical based.  The fact that you can't smell them makes it worse too because you have no indication of how much the vapors are building up.  If you keep the area ventilated with an open window or two and or a fan, and buy a good quality turpentine, there's not much to worry about with it, really.  I've always used Oriole brand, but that can sometimes be hard to find.

Rush2ady, where did you get your black oil?  I was taught to make it in school and haven't done it in years (I'm a sculptor).  I actually want to paint again but after grinding my own pigments with black oil I have a hard time going back to tube colors.  I also used Maroger medium for which there is no substitute and you need black oil to make it.

[rush2ady]

lastrid, I bought my black oil through the art school I attended.  The label is "David Davis Oil Color, Black Oil".  The address on is is 499 Van Brunt St, 6A, Brooklyn, NY11231.  Phone [phone], or 800-965-6554.  I really like their black oil... but it does contain lead, which I'm assuming you know.  I've heard they make great paints as well, but I've never tried them.

[lastrid]

Thanks for the info!   I just found out last night that I am able to purchase it from my school (the Schuler School of Fine Arts), so that's what I'm going to do.  When I graduated, that was a no no, lol.  Where did you go to school?  There are so few places that use black oil, although I think it's becoming a bit more popular in traditional circles.

[DaughterOfKali]

I decided against oil.  I want to limit toxins as much as possible.

[gardenbelle]

Sorry, totally late on the thread but I have to add my two cents. :) I think this is a great decision.  I LOVED painting with oils, that was all I would use but ever since I started trying for a family 6 years ago, I stopped.  Maybe someday I might go back to using oil paints, but not until I am sure our family is complete and I'm no longer nursing or TTC and I will definitely be a lot more careful with the fumes and wearing skin protection than I did before.  I would highly recommend a library book that I read a few months ago called Green Guide for Artists which talks about the make-up of most of the art supplies out there (and how to make your own!). 

http://www.amazon.com/Green-Guide-Artists-Eco-Conscious-ebook/dp/B004PLNS9U/ref=sr_1_5?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1322541098&sr=1-5

I also buy my acrylic paints from http://www.nature-of-art-kids.com/ which is a local company I buy from at the farmer's market.  You should check and see if there is a non-toxic acrylic paint supplier in your neck of the woods.  Good luck getting your art supplies non-toxic and happy painting!

Originally Posted by DaughterOfKali 

I decided against oil.  I want to limit toxins as much as possible.

[Thecraftaholic]

Personally, I prefer acrylic. They are cheaper to use and dry quickly. I also use watercolors which I LOVE to use. My advice? Try both and see which you prefer.

[Thecraftaholic]

I read that acrylics are more eco friendly somehow. Aside from that, they are also cheaper, which is why I use acrylics.