Can You Clean Bob Ross Oil Painting Brushes With Baby Oil?

A Hot Topic  among many (kickoff) oil painters is the toxicity of working with oils. Many people refer to the unpleasant smell of oil paints and and then cull to stay abroad. Others practise non like the idea of working with toxic materials for a variety of reasons.

Maybe they are health or environment conscious, or they are pregnant or take modest children or pets around. Some of my blog readers mentioned information technology non and so long ago and I thought I should option upwardly on their comments and write a trivial bit nearly oil painting and toxicity.

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I was pregnant when I started to think about toxicity

When I started out in oils in 2006 I was  pregnant with my 2d kid.  I did non desire to fill my business firm with toxic materials! I was painting with pastels already and kept an centre out for health and condom (practice not blow at the pastel dust!) merely the smell of turps and the hearsay most toxic materials put me off trying oils. I now notice that many others struggle with the same questions every bit I did. So what about that toxicity with oils then?!

Oil paints exercise not smell

When people talk most the smell of oil paints they are talking virtually the turpentine that many use to dilute their paints or clean their brushes. Oil pigment itself does not smell of anything. Many use turps as if they are using watercolour and leave their pot of turps open en swish their brush in it every few minutes. The room you're in will be filled with toxic fumes in no fourth dimension.

Oil paints are not toxic

(unless you swallow them)Most oil paints are not toxic, even if y'all do eat them (not recommended). Oil paint is basically pigment and oil, and most pigments are perfectly safe. There are toxic ones, of course, such as lead-white, cadmium, and cobalt. Only these are just toxic if you eat them or breathe in particles. You would struggle trying to  breathe in oil paint.  As long as y'all wash your hands later use, you should exist absolutely fine.

Heavy Metals

The toxic metals in some of the pigments are hardly dangerous as long equally yous use the paints sensibly, but if you want to remove these from your palette there are plenty of culling pigments that are completely safe. I, for example, do non use atomic number 82-white or whatsoever cadmiums in my piece of work. I avoid them if I can so far I have not missed them. Instead of heavy metals I use synthetic alternatives, and there is plenty to choose from.

Solvents are Toxic

The but toxic risk within oil painting is in the solvents and mediums you use. Turpentine and mineral spirits are toxic as they exude fumes that are very bad for your health. It is perfectly fine to use them, but do so sparingly, keep lids closed and windows open. Plenty of total-time artists use them every mean solar day without any adverse furnishings. Just use common sense. If you feel bad when using it, listen to your body. I once tried a medium called Oleopasto, which contains a solvent, and felt and then very ill I never opened that tube once again. However at that place are lots of artists that I know who are happily using it every day!

Safe Solvent Alternatives

If yous would rather paint without solvents, you can easily paint without a medium or utilise a solvent-free medium.  Gamblin  and Yard. Graham  produce some condom mediums for example, and some alkyd mediums are solvent free also. Check the labels or manufacturer'south website! Of course y'all tin also opt to piece of work with just a tiny bit of oil: linseed, walnut or poppy oil for case. Some paints are more than fluid and sparse than others and so if yous desire to piece of work with more than fluid paint perhaps attempt a dissimilar brand (Former The netherlands  for instance is quite thick and stiff, while Rembrandt  or Blockx is fairly fluid).

Solvents are almost frequently used for cleaning brushes and then perhaps do this outside, and just at the stop of a painting session.  Low odour or 'safety' solvents (such as Sansodor, Zest-it or Roberson's Studio Safe Orangish Solvent) are non 100% 'prophylactic' (still you desire to translate that), but are generally less toxic than traditional solvents. They do take less of a smell, or even a pleasant citrus odor. They are less aggressive than traditional solvents, generally speaking, but can make y'all think they are 'rubber' every bit at that place is no 'turps' smell or are marketed as 'safe'! Without having to go into chemistry (I know naught well-nigh chemistry), all I can say is: go on your sensible chapeau on.

Cleaning Brushes without Solvents

At that place are, however, many solvent-free alternatives for cleaning brushes. I wipe my brushes on some kitchen towelling while I pigment and and so have no need for turps. Y'all can go yourself in the habit of using a few brushes for different colours/tones to avoid cleaning besides much, although I prefer to work with just a single brush at a time and just wipe now and then on some paper towels.

I clean my brushes (not oft plenty!) with The Masters Brush Cleaner which is completely safe to apply. Likewise The Masters there are brush soaps by Da Vinci and Escoda that seem popular. I have heard other artists using baby oil (launder it out thoroughly!), dishwashing liquid and more. Just make certain that brushes are non left with any residual of your cleaning amanuensis and all should be well.

Varnish

Most varnish has solvents in them and besides give off toxic fumes then if you want to varnish, brand sure you do this in a well ventilated room. Of class there is always the option of not varnishing your work at all or using i that contains a low-odour solvent. Many artists don't varnish as they don't like the look and feel of it or for wellness and condom reasons. I do varnish my work but it is something you'd have to decide for yourself.

Winsor & Newton Artisan Oil Paints – condom and no need for solvents

Water-Based Oils

If you lot want to cut out the toxicity of oil painting, one alternative is to use water-based oils such as Winsor & Newton Artisan, Holbein Duo and quite a few other brands. I have used Artisan in the past and although they feel slightly different from traditional oils you can thin the paint and clean your brushes with just water. The manufacturers produce special mediums for these paints that are solvent free every bit well. You lot tin mix them with traditional oils although you would and then need different mediums (non water-based but more than traditional ones) and cleaning materials if you do. Plenty of artists utilise these paints with pleasure so I am sure they are worth a go.

Reduce the Risk

In a nutshell, it is very easy to piece of work without toxic materials and it should non be a reason to stay away from oils. If you utilize solvents (in a medium or a brush cleaner) practise call up to keep the lid airtight, use it sparingly and brand sure your room is well ventilated. If you decide to cut out solvents there are plenty of options for you.

Online artists groups on and social media are full of advice and experienced artists who happily share their experiences and so do some online research and find your own platonic mode. Personally I have non banned all toxic materials from my studio, although I did in the past,  but utilize them as sparingly every bit I can. Use common sense and don't eat your paint – all should exist well!

In Sophie'south Fine art School you can…

• Learn how to paint without using solvents
• Learn about oil painting (beginners and more advanced!)
• Observe a supportive family of swain students to support and encourage yous!
• What are you waiting for?

Read Next….

• Oil Painting Mediums: What you need to know
• How to Paint without Solvents
• Can I all the same employ Oils when I am Pregnant?

More to Read...

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