LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Water-mixable oils differ from their original, traditional counterparts in surprisingly few numbers of ways, in fact, I have noticed only the one: the ability to clean up and thin the medium with water instead of using mineral white spirit or turpentine. I am still nostalgic when I smell turpentine, but I stopped using oil paints 25 years ago when my wife's asthma meant that I could no longer use them indoors.
This revolutionary difference makes the medium eco-friendlier, and it can be used ineffects to anyone in close proximity. I have also noticed no differences when compared with traditional oils, except for how easy it is to clean up. It takes as long to dry and you can do anything with it that you could do with traditional oils. I use Winsor & Newton's Artisan watermixable oils, which I first tried when they were launched in 1998 and I have taught oil painting with them ever since. There are now many brands available and if you've ever wanted to paint in oils, but have been put off by the fumes and travel restrictions associated with them, I urge you to have a go.
