Water-soluable Oil Paints

[Rita Long]

Any opinions on water soluable oils vs regular oil paints?

[Josephine]

i've now managed to find about 30 minutes (! yes, only 30 minutes!) to pick up a brush since I last wrote but just loved the buttery feel of my DS WSOs. I think they might take a little longer to dry than normal oils but that may not be correct because it's so many years since I was able to use them I probably can't remember accurately.

[Lynley van Alphen]

I've just started using the Archival oils(same as Richard) and wish I started with them instead of the WSOs. I find the WSO tends to get tacky and hard to use freely. I found the smell not too offensive with the Archival and cleanup to me is much easier as the paint just falls out of the brush with the Archival odourless solvent. A quick rinse with warm water and a final clean with brush cleaner gets the brushes spotless. I struggle getting the wso brushes as clean, even with the brush cleaner. So for me I think I prefer the normal oils but as I have only ever used the Artisan WSO, other brands may be better.

[Jessica Futerman]

Have been reading all your posts about WSOs.  I've only used WSOs, first Artisan, but now Cobra due to availability & am finding that Cobra has a better feel, less stiff.  Have only used water as a medium until now, though plan to try walnut oil after reading what you've all said.  A question for those of you who've used both oil & WSO - can you get the same effects with both?  Or is oil superior in some ways?   

[Doug]

Artisans are less stiff if you use linseed oil or walnut oil as a medium-just a drop or so, just like ordinary oils.

BTW-WSO's ARE real oils-pigment with linseed oil modified to clean up with soap and water.

[Jessica Futerman]

Thanks Doug - will give it a try.  Not having any experience with "non-modified" oil paint, am just wondering if WSOs behave differently & restrict the effects you can get.

[Doug]

Like any paints, that depends as much or more on the different brands and how they make their paints.

Jessica Futerman said:

... am just wondering if WSOs behave differently & restrict the effects you can get.

[Birdie]

I am using Lukas Berlin WSO's. They are deliciously buttery to use. I don't have a lot of experience with them yet, but I do love them. I started with Windsor & Newton's, but like others have said they were too stiff and tacky, and just frustrated the heck out of me. Lukas can be hard to find - I suggest looking up the rep for your country and asking who has them. Jerry's sells them online in the US, but I can order them in from my local art store here in Canada. 

[Jim Beatty]

I too am using the Luka Berlin WSO's and have found them satisfactory.  I am also using the Cobra brand for additional colors and it seems to be a good choice as well.  I have used water and oil medium with both types of paint but am in favor of oil I think if much mixing is involved.

I converted to the WSO from Acrylics so not able to compare to the WSO to traditional oils.