Oil paints are popular because they have a very sophisticated finish, and paint really smoothly. Some people tend to steer clear of oil paints due to not wanting to use a thinner that has harsh fumes. Since oil and water don’t mix, you can’t use water to thin your paint like acrylic.
When it comes to painting with oil paints, it really depends on your preference whether or not to use a thinner with the paint. So, does oil paint need thinner? No, oil paints don’t need paint thinner, but you can mix it in with your paints to get a different consistency. It’s completely up to your paints, and painting style. The reason thinner is used is to bring the paint to the consistency of the artist’s choosing. If you are fine with the consistency before adding thinner, then you do not need to add any.
Before deciding whether or not you are going to use a thinner in your oil paint, you should experiment with the paint alone. This will give you a good feel of the consistency, and you can decide from there if you would like it to be thinner. In this article we go over everything you need to know on adding thinner to your oil paints, and much more! Let’s read on.
Can You Use Oil Paint Without Thinner?
It is possible to use oil paints without adding a thinner. Avoiding the use of a thinner in your oil paint is better for you and the environment around you. If you are comfortable with the consistency of the paint straight out of the tube, then you can absolutely avoid thinners.
My favorite and top pick is always Arteza Oil Paints. They have so many different colors, and the quality is amazing! I usually use Arteza Paints for all my projects.
There are several techniques you can use with oil paint that don’t require a thinner. The first is painting with a palette knife. This method uses the paint straight from the tube and allows you to get clean, unique strokes that you wouldn’t get with a brush. You can also create sharp edges to create a rigid design.
Another technique is direct painting. The use of thinners is not required for this method, as it involves using distinct, bold strokes of color. Oil paint is most effective for this method when it is straight out of the tube because it is fresh and isn’t compromised.
How Do You Make Oil Paint Thinner?
It’s definitely possible to make your own oil paint thinner at home. There are a few different ways you can do it. First, you make it with some lemons and linseed oil. You will need lemon oil, linseed oil, a container to mix in, and a stick to stir with. You will need 59 mL of lemon oil and 237 mL of linseed oil.
Pour these two ingredients into the container you have for mixing. Stir the ingredients lightly until they are combined. You can then add this mixture to your paint, little by little, until you reach your consistency. If you add at least 118 mL of the mixture, let the paint rest.
You can also use an alternative if you do not have those ingredients or a paint thinner handy. One of the most common alternatives to oil paint thinner is acetone. You can also use mineral spirits in place of paint thinners. They usually have less odor, making them less harmful.
When using a thinner of any kind, always start by adding a small amount to the paint. You can go back and add more in after you test the paint consistency if necessary.
If you don’t want to make your own paint thinner, I recommend this Weber Odorless Paint Thinner. I like that this thinner is odorless and doesn’t produce harsh fumes like some other brands.
Can You Use Olive Oil to Thin Oil Paint?
Olive oil is considered to be a non-drying oil. That means if you mix it with your oil paint, your paint will never dry. Other vegetable oils are also considered non-drying oils, so you shouldn’t try to use any of these either.
Non-drying oils typically go through a process to become safe for use in food or skincare. They will stay in a liquid form and not dry. The olive oil in your cabinet does not dry if you leave it open. It would act the same way in oil paint. This will lead to a very frustrating outcome when your painting won’t dry.
How Do You Fix Thick Oil Paint?
It is easy to tell when your paint is too thick to work with. When you stir it, the paint should fall off the stick like cream. If the paint falls off in clumps or globs, then it is likely your paint is too thick. When dealing with oil paint, you need to be careful with your thinning process.
To fix thick paint, you will need an oil paint container, a thinner, and stick to stir with that you won’t ever use again. First, pour some paint into the container and pull out any chunks of dried paint. You can use the thinner that was discussed earlier, or you can use a solvent. Whichever you choose, add one part to every three parts of paint.
Stir the thinner into the paint with the stick that you aren’t going to use for anything else. Stir until the thinner is completely mixed into the paint. Then, you will want to use a paint brush to test the consistency of the paint. If it is still too thick, you can add more thinner to the mixture.
Why is My Oil Paint Drying So Fast?
Oil paint is a slow-drying medium when compared to other types of paint. It could take days for your oil paint to completely cure and dry. There are several things that factor into and influence the drying time of your oil paint.
First, your environment will impact the drying time. Oil paint will usually dry quicker in warm conditions. This could mean that the room you are painting in is too warm and you need to cool it down. Light and wind can also impact drying time. If you are painting outside, these could also make your paint dry faster.
The actual color of the paint can also be a reason that it is drying so fast. Some paint pigments just dry faster than others. Quick drying colors are usually colors like cobalt blue, burnt umber, and burnt sienna. The brand of the paint could be another reason your paint is drying too quickly. Some brands are formulated to dry faster.
A great oil paint brand that dries a bit faster than others is Winsor & Newton. I have used their paints before and I was pretty amazed at how quickly it started drying.
If you notice that your oil paint is drying too fast and you need to slow it down, you can try adding an oil like poppyseed oil. Linseed oil is one of the quicker drying oils used in oil paint, so to counter that you can add a slow drying oil to the mix. I highly recommend using Winsor & Newton Poppyseed Oil. Not only does it slow down drying time, but it also protects against your paints yellowing later on.
If you are creating a larger painting that you have mixed specific colors for and you notice that the paint is drying too quickly on your palette between sessions, there is a way to prevent this. A simple way is to wrap your whole palette in baking paper. This will only work for one night, but it will help.
Final Thoughts
It’s not uncommon for people to say that they refuse to work with oil paints due to the harmful thinners for the paint to work. Luckily, this is not the case as you can use oil paint without a solvent thinner, or a thinner in general.
If you like the consistency of fresh oil paint, you can use the paint without adding any thinner. When you are painting, if you do notice that you need a thinner, you can create your own or use an alternative. Acetone makes a great alternative to more harmful oil paint thinners.
Make sure to follow my tips and recommend products to endure your oil painting turns out amazing. Also, don’t forget to check out my other articles for all your painting Q&A’s. Happy painting!