2/26/2012 1:14:18 AM

Some things not covered in this video: How does the dried water miscible paint look compared to traditional oils?  So far, all of the things noted are the same as acrylics.  Since acrylics usually dry darker and sometimes duller than when they were painted, I'm curious how well the water miscible oils retain the color upon drying.

Also, what is the drying time compared to traditional oil & acrylics?

What about adhesion and surface prep?  Do you prep the same as you would for oil or for acrylic?

I think you may find you have enough questions for a Prove it Part Deux!

Jonathan Manning | Reply

3/3/2012 11:21:58 AM

Hi Jonathan, I've been using watermixable oil colors almost exlusively for about 5 years now.  There are still a few pigments that I can't get in WMO that I use from trad oils, and mix them (yes you can do this with some brands if the ratio is followed correctly).  The questions you ask vary slightly by brand, and really depend on the type of emulsifier which is used in the paint.  Some brands actually have adjusted their claims to state that they can be cleaned with water, not mixed.  I've found that Holbein, Cobra and Lukas are the only brands that can truly be thinned with water, which in my opinion is the main point.  The rest get gummy and completely frustrated me.  All dry faster than traditional oil colors, due to the emulsifier, and I've found the fastest (2-3 days on an average paint layer) is Cobra, while Holbein is more like 3-5.  When I do a water wash however, that layer is dry to the touch in an hour or so because of the evaporation of the water and the activation of the emulsifier.  Adhesion and surface prep is the same as traditional oils, so whether it is a rabbit skin glue and 2 coats of lead primer, or if you're working on top of a thinned acrylic basecoat, it's the same as traditional oil colors.  These don't have the same color shift as acrylics because of the way that they oxidize instead of dry, like acrylics do.  I've found that the professional grade WMOs retain their color just as well as traditional oil colors, and what you will notice is that layers that have been thinned will be more dull and wil need to be oiled out or have a retouch varnish applied, but straight paint, or paint with medium layers will have that sheen which oils give you that acrylics don't.  Disclaimer - I am the product manager for Cobra, made by Royal Talens (these are equivalent to Rembrandt, which we also make), that being said, I would only recommend Cobra, Holbein and Lukas as WMO brands that actually perform as they claim.  Jerry's also carries Cobra, by the way   Nice video, Mike!  I hope that more artists see the benefit of these paints...maybe they will when they try the professional grade brands instead of what's available in the craft stores.

Kyle Richardson | Reply

3/6/2012 2:37:36 PM

I always use water mixable oil I love using them they also sell  water mixable   linseed oil and mediums.

BONITA GILLEY | Reply