Oil paints are amazing paints that sometimes need a thinner, or mineral spirit oils due to them being so thick. A common question is if you can use any type of oil to think your oil paints. People wonder if you can use regular oil, car oil, vegetable oil and more, to think down their oil paints.
This is not the case in the slightest. There are oils that are drying oils and oils that are non-drying oils. Non-drying oils will never dry and will leave your painting looking like a giant mess. Drying oils will dry with the oil paint and do not have as much of an impact on the outcome of your painting.
So, can you use sunflower oil with oil paints? Yes! Sunflower oil lies somewhere between being a drying oil and a non-drying oil. It is considered to be a semi-drying oil, meaning it will dry, but it will take longer. This oil also has a lower tendency to yellow than linseed oil, so it is generally preferred by artists.
Let’s read on to learn which type of oil is best for your paints, the difference in oils, and much more!
Is Sunflower Oil a Drying Oil?
Sunflower oil is very similar to safflower oil because their constituent acids are almost exactly the same. However, sunflower oil will have a higher gum content.
Sunflower oil isn’t considered to be a drying oil completely, as it fits the term semi-drying oil much better.
This is due to the fact that sunflower oil dries slower and has a softer finish than other oils. It is common for artists to choose sunflower oil over linseed oil for thinning their paints because it has a much lower tendency to yellow over time. This leaves paintings looking crystal clear for longer.
Since this oil takes longer to dry, it is recommended that you don’t use it with the lower layers of your painting. It is said that sunflower oil could take anywhere from five to seven days to dry fully, which will not happen on lower layers because they aren’t exposed to oxygen. This can impact the whole painting and ultimately damage it.
Can I Use Cooking Oil with Oil Paint?
You can’t use cooking oil with oil paint. It is a non-drying oil, which means no matter how long you let it dry, the paint will always stay wet. The cooking oil will not evaporate as the paint dries like a drying oil will.
If you would spill cooking oil on your counter and not clean it up, it would never evaporate or dry up. This is the same thing that would happen if you tried to use cooking oil in your paintings.
The colors will run together, it will all look greasy, and one single touch can ruin all of your hard work. It is best to avoid this situation all together.
What Oils Can You Use for Oil Painting?
There are several different types of oils that you can use with oil paints. Each oil acts differently when mixed and will have different drying times. When you know what each oil does, you can make a better decision for what is best for your current project.
Some of the most popular oils include linseed oil, poppy oil, safflower oil, and walnut oil. You will be able to manipulate your paint differently because each oil will offer different consistencies and finishes.
Linseed Oil
First, there is linseed oil. This is the same oil that most oil paints will have as their base already, making it a great option to mix with. It dries really quickly, so you won’t have to worry about your painting taking too long to dry. Linseed oil is available as a cold-pressed oil and a stand oil.
The different types will have different impacts on the paint. Each will slightly change the color in different ways and can change the consistency. The style you choose will depend on your personal preference and what you are trying to achieve.
Walnut Oil
Walnut oil is great if you are looking to have a better control over your paint. This oil will make the paint a little smoother, making it easier to create long strokes and blend colors together.
While this oil is a little pricier than the others, it is worth the money. Walnut oil provides the paint with a smooth, even, creamy consistency that dries easy.
Poppy Oil
Most people are shocked when they are told that poppy oil can be used with oil paints. It gives the paint an extra smooth consistency and allows the paint to flow easily. It can be intimidating to use if you are new to oil painting because it really makes the paint smooth.
When using poppy oil, you need to have more control over the paint to avoid making a huge mess. It will also take longer to dry than some other oils, so make sure you keep it completely flat until you are positive that it is dry.
Safflower Oil
Safflower oil is very similar to sunflower oil, meaning it can also be used with oil paint. This oil is even considered to be the second most popular oil for oil paints. It is less thick than linseed oil, but it provides the perfect balance between smooth and rough consistencies.
Safflower oil is one that you shouldn’t be afraid of if you are a new painter. It is easy to use, dries well, and makes it easy for you to create the texture that you are trying to get. It is easy to see why this oil is so popular.
Sunflower Oil
Sunflower oil is great because it works just like linseed oil, but it doesn’t yellow as much. It can take a little longer to dry than linseed or walnut oil, but the results will leave your oil painting looking great.
Some artists choose sunflower oil as opposed to linseed or safflower oil due to it drying crystal clear, and not having a strong odor.
What is the Best Oil for Oil Painting?
The best oil for oil painting is going to be linseed oil. It makes a great base and mixes easily with the paint. The different forms that linseed oil comes in makes it easy to manipulate the consistency of the paint.
The most common type of linseed oil is the standard refined. It will provide a finish that is glossy and dries quickly.
Another popular type of linseed oil is stand oil. This oil goes through a heating process that allows the oil to provide different effects. This version will usually be thicker than the standard linseed oil and will have an impact on the color and consistency of the paint. This version will take a little longer to dry, so make sure you keep the painting flat.
I use this Grumbacher Linseed Oil for my oil paintings. It applies on smoothly, and hasn’t yellowed any of my artwork.
Finally, there is the cold-pressed linseed oil. This type of the oil makes the paint really smooth and offers consistency when you are painting. It is said to be easier to work with than the other types of linseed oil and you will be left with a beautifully glossy finish. The cold-pressed linseed oil will be the most expensive to work with.
Final Thoughts
There are several different types of oils that you can use with oil paint to change the consistency and texture. There are drying oils that will dry as the paint does and non-drying oils that will never dry and prevent the paint from drying as well.
You can use any type of oil that is considered a drying oil. A popular oil to use is sunflower oil, which technically is a drying oil, but it is more commonly referred to as a semi-drying oil. This is because the oil will dry, but it takes much longer than regular drying oils do.
Make sure to follow all my tips and recommended products to ensure your oil painted project turns out great! Also, don’t forget to check out my other articles for all your painting Q&A’s. Happy painting!