ART MATERIAL REVIEW: Artisan Water Mixable Oil Paint

[@TheDivoguy]

I've been using W&N Artisan paints for nearly 4 years now. I'd never painted in oils before, and quickly discovered that water is best used for the first layer of imprimatura and drawing stages. The Artisan range comes with a set of water-soluble mediums, oils and a thinner, as well as varnishes. These paints are designed to be a solvent free oil paint for use where solvents could be harmful (confined space); banned (such as in schools in the UK) and for those who have problems with solvents or don't want solvents in their home (allergies, irritation etc; or because of not being able to rent a seperate studio space). They do not contain any water, but most contain a modified linseed oil which CAN be mixed/cleaned with water. (The two whites contain modified safflower oil.) When you squeezed out the paint onto your palette this was merely excess oil that had separated. Just wipe the oil off with a shop towel or rag. Use thinners and either Artisan Linseed, Safflower or Stand oil to make your own mediums or use the two paint mediums in the range to preserve the water-soluble clean up. They can even be mixed and used with traditional oil paints, but once you do that you have to use solvents to clean up. Follow the same rules about fat over lean and flexible over stiff etc as with normal oils. More information is available on W&N website about this range and the pigments available.

[@PHeMoX]

Actually, they're not premixed with water. Still (plenty of) oil in there, hence oil paint in the name. They are water soluble, as long as they haven't fully set, but they are not intended to be 'mixed with water' to dilute. They are not acrylic or watercolour paint. You truly risk filling up your brushes with waaaay too much water when mixing with water, resulting in a paint that is just completely uncontrollable and messy. It's much better to use it in more the traditional oil paint. You can also use regular linseed oils or solvents you would have used with regular oil paints. I'd advise using water soluable oil paint _without_ any water whatsoever. It'll handle much better. Also, it does dry a little bit faster. But depends on how much oil paint you use. The reason it felt better the second day is _absolutely_ because it didn't have water in it as much / added. :)

[@enjoylife3000]

That depends on the brand, as Cobra Water Mixable Oil (Royal Talens) are indeed mixable with water and works different than the W&N version.

[@PHeMoX]

@@enjoylife3000 Absolutely untrue. I own both brands and they handle the same way. These are not meant to be mixed with water. But you could clean them with water (only once and only when not fully dry). I suppose one could dilute with water for a base tone, but you really have to wait for the entire layer to dry or your brushes will be ice skating in a wet mess that's uncontrollable.

[@redinabloogs8477]

@@PHeMoX i hear u BUT the thinner u are suppose to use with W&N is hard to find and cost more than liquid gold :( ...the other Artisan oil type mediums are standard price but the thinner is insane...so what is one suppose to do ???...i'd really like to know ..as i have the paints...large tubes...and the mediums ..but im unwilling to pay the crazy price for a small bottle of artisan thinner :(

[@markgiaimo6569]

Hey Scott, the trick to using these is to use W&N Artisan Water Soluble Thinner in the underpainting. It works like turpentine/OMS. Do NOT use water to thin your paint and avoid using water to clean your brushes until the end of the session: it gummies up the paint. They also have mediums for successive layers but I rarely use them. Their Thinner is the key. I hated water mixable paints until I discovered this a few months ago and it has been a game changer for me (I don’t have very good ventilation in my studio). And they do clean up incredibly easy with soap and water. If you need better colors try Holbein Duo Aqua to supplement your palette. The thinner works with their paint as well. Hope this helps and a big thanks for posting these videos.

[@emanuelstude4912]

I cant seem to find that in my area, does for example water soluble linseed oil from daler rowney work?

[@markgiaimo6569]

@@emanuelstude4912 I’ve only been able to find the thinner online. It’s better to use the thinner to maintain fat over lean in the first pass than using a medium.

[@liv0003]

I sometimes use Holbein Duo, as beautiful as the colors are I don't like the consistency too much actually. The consistency of these paints is stiffer and less creamy and smooth than traditional oils in my opinion.

[@Robocop-qe7le]

OK so what's the point of using water mixable oil paint if you are not allowed to mix it with water? And why using a thinner when you can use OMS with normal oil paint? Or not use any solvents with oil paint (use instead just linseed oil). I don't see the point of this product except if you can use it with water and more specifically for rinsing your brushes with water instead of any kind of thinner.

[@Hadoken.]

@@Robocop-qe7leBecause if you don’t have good ventilation the solvents will give you headaches if you’re susceptible to that side effect, and because long term solvents may cause health issues to you. That’s the point.

[@stephenspiteri_zunkus]

I use both Golden Open Acrylics and W&N Artisan water soluble oils. the Golden are great for blocking in and the first stages in my case. They dry up much quicker. The W&N Artisan are better in that they dry slower, much slower than the Golden Open and so let me blend more. They also dry at the same tone that I put them in. The acrylics dry darker. I do not have the runny experience that was experienced in this video. I did buy them in larger tubes and not in a box set. Is there a difference? I do not have good experience with diluting them with water but use their dedicated solvents and oils. I used to work in traditional oils for decades and can say that I almost get the same results with the Artisan oils. The major difference from the traditional oils is that the water soluble dry more consistently across the colour range, the traditional oils vary in shine or glossiness, The traditional oils are more buttery and can achieve impasto better, I sometimes create impasto highlights in the underpainting using a blend of acrylic and impasto paste to achieve a similar effect, not the same though. Overall the W&N Artisans are great. They solved my problem that I had with the odours that traditional oils left in the house. The traditional oils also started to make me feel sick, these do smell a bit but very little comparatively. Hope this helps.

[@larrymarshall9454]

You would do well, if only for your reputation, to read just a wee bit about products you're going to try in public. Note, these are NOT water-soluble (means they dissolve in water), but rather they are water-MIXABLE oil paints. They are, in fact, tubes of pigment mixed in linseed oil just like all oil paints. The difference is that a surfactant is added to let you clean up (and dilute if you're careful) the paint. There is NO water in these paints. All the dripping down your palette is because you've added too much water to them. The same thing would happen if you used any oil paint and added too much solvent to the palette. Like them or not but at least evaluate the product properly.

[@evelyndominguez4757]

I like Scott but you’re spot on. He let his bias get in the way. All the noises he makes really put me off so I did not finish the video.

[@paintaway2349]

the dripping he didn't like was when squeezing the paint straight from the tube, so it was separated oil as I understand it.

[@canobenitez]

@@evelyndominguez4757 and solvents are harmful to your lungs, no joke. I don't get what's funny about that.

[@ShelleyHannaArt]

"paint for 10 minutes, break for 6 hours" - love that 😂

[@MegaCityPatrol]

I really like water mixable oils. But the most important thing is .... *don't mix them with water* lol Always use the thinner that Windsor and Newton make (although there are probably other brands) Trying to mix with water will result in globules and separation especially, from my experience, with white more so than other colours. The absolute best thing is how easy it is to clean up, just some artist's soap and water and no need to have a special sink in the house dedicated to cleaning brushes because you'd get a rocket for wrecking a bathroom sink or even the kitchen with oil residue ha ha

[@georgedemings3133]

I have used the linseed oil that is designed to work with this type of oil paint, try that and you will like it.

[@stevieguk8014]

This video is good for showing you how not to use water soluble oils. Best to read the comments made by those who use them.

[@johngrantner]

Amen.

[@phillipstroll7385]

These paints are misunderstood. The water is for cleaning brushes only. You will need your mediums.

[@THEOTIVITY]

Hey Scott! Thanks for the video… love your work and your vids are so helpful. I’ve actually been using the Windsor & Newton Artisan water soluble oil paints for about two years now and I’ve discovered that if you use water-soluble medium - like the Windsor & Newton Artisan water mixable painting medium - it usually behaves more like you’d expect. I’ve found that using water in the paints is not the best… I more so use water for cleaning the brushes instead of thinner (which was the main reason for using water-mixable oils). But for actual painting, if you get the water-mixable mediums and thinner, you’ll find that the paint behaves a bit closer to traditional oils. Also, I don’t buy those sets - I buy the individual tubes of Windsor & Newton Artisan oils. Perhaps the ones in the set aren’t as high quality? Hence the goop on the top? Anyways - thanks again for your videos! :)

[@anitasmith7764]

I’m only 30 seconds into your actual review (from the second u picked up the box) & I already feel you’ve made up your mind.

[@maxrenderer2011]

Try Holbein and Cobra water mixable if you get a chance. It's much more buttery. And I believe there are no fillers like in the W&N.

[@LeahHa8]

I use the Holbein versions and love them.

[@maxrenderer2011]

They are my favorite of the bunch!

[@michael13419]

I was going to say the same thing. Holbein makes a great product. Out of all the WS oils out there, he picked my least favorite. And I use WN traditional usually.

[@enjoylife3000]

Yes Cobra Water Mixable Oil paints is a totally different experience

[@liv0003]

I don't like Holbein Duo too much actually, the colors are beautiful but I find the consistency quite stiffer and less creamy and smooth than traditional oil paint.

[@achromat666]

I'm just jumping into oils and don't have the space for doing work with the traditional version that requires the ventilation from the solvents, turpentine, etc., and I'm coming from a background of doing a lot of work in watercolor, pastel, and most recently acrylic, which I'm still struggling through. I've just purchased the very same set in the video and I've watched videos with different takes on this type of painting, and many warn against watering down the paints themselves when painting and sticking to the water soluble mediums. This is a fancy way of saying I can expect to go through a lot of trial and error. The comments have also helped a great deal, so thanks for keeping the forum informative and friendly.

[@sageways7039]

I had read that WN WMO paints are somewhat of challenge to work with and not surprised by your experience. IMO, the best are Lukas Berlin, or Holbein Duo Aqua, or Daniel Smith WMO from Jerry's Artarama. Lukas Berlin paints are very buttery soft, vibrant colors, and texture is a professional grade even in their sample set. Their pricing won't break the bank, either. I absolutely love Lukas Berlin paints! The Holbein and Daniel Smith paints are equal in texture and professional grade. Holbein and Daniel have more colors and more expensive, but worth a specialty color that can't be found in Lukas' line. I never had issues with oozing from tubes or too dry with either brands. I also tried Cobra samples and I didn't like them, at all on the canvas, but liked their colors. Their tubes oozed oil. I didn't like to paint with them and not as smooth or buttery as the other brands. I read somewhere that Cobra uses student grade for their samples. I didn't want to spend extra money for professional grade to see if that was true. I hope you'll try Lukas Berlin when it goes on sale. I believe you'll be pleasantly surprised, as I was. One thing that I like about WMOs is that regular oil paints and mediums can be added at 25% to the mixture. WMO are oil based paints and using over 25% changes the structure. Replacing turpentine for a non-toxic experience, I use Spike Lavender Oil (not Chelsea brand) or Oil of Rosemary. Look into The Art Treehouse that has a good selection and their brand smells pure (no headaches). If I don't like something that I have painted on a linen oil primed canvas, after a week or month, I have had success removing a section with Spike Lavender Oil or Rosemary Oil. Needless to say, WMO paints are very forgiving. Another note about WMO paints and my experience. They can act like regular oils when drying. It depends on the environment and sometimes mediums used. When I lived in Colorado, which is a dry climate, for the most part paints dried within 24-48 hours. When I moved to the southeast (more humidity) my paints would take 1-2 weeks to dry. It was a shocker and I was challenged to paint. I remedied the slow dry timing problem with getting a dehumidifier. I am able to paint within 24-48 hours again without mediums.

[@earlreddell4035]

I have to ditto your comments about Lukas Berlin--very buttery. I've tried the Winsor Newton Artisan originally and they we were difficult to use (tacked up). I have tried the cobra professional and they are comparable to Lukas Berlin but I think I liked Lukas Berlin better especially titanium white. Both Lukas Berlin and Cobras suggest you should use water to thin unlike the Winsor Newton Artisan. Haven't tried Aqua Duo but they were more expensive. Georgian is another water mixable oil I've heard good things about but don't have any experience with them.

[@igors5637]

Spike lavender is toxic.

[@sageways7039]

@@igors5637 Water used improperly can be toxic to the body, too. Be careful!😉

[@liv0003]

Is Spaik lavender oil or rosemary oil also good for cleaning brushes? If not, what do you suggest that is non-toxic for cleaning brushes as well as diluting paint for "regular" oil paint?

[@liv0003]

​@@earlreddell4035What do you use as a medium to clean brushes and dilute paint for water mixable oil paints? I don't like using water as a medium, the results aren't good in my opinion . I have only tried Holbain Duo, the colors are beautiful but I find the consistency of these paints stiffer and less creamy than traditional oils, and water isn't a good medium to use with it in my opinion

[@drawstraw4483]

That was a really fun to watch. I've been curiously wondering about different flexible mediums that on my budget can't really just go out and get to find out what a mistake.. As I was wanting and watching coupled with a comment here, I think they could be pretty fun to try out☺️ thank you for that.

[@missmarymack06]

I have purchased a Windsor and Newton water color set in the box from Walmart a couple years ago and the white and a green were chunky and unusable, probably because they had sat too long in the tube. Or in my case got a tiny pin hole in the tube. They probably sat on the shelf for too long and separated. But the barrier to entry on this medium is lower and I might try it. My Hang-up for oil paint is the cleanup, and from reading other comments that’s what the water is for! ☺️

[@kojiur]

With everyone saying you’re not supposed to mix these with water, then I’m not sure what benefit these provide. I have no problem cleaning my brushes with soap and water after using regular oil paints. OMS makes cleaning quicker, but it’s not necessary in my experience.

[@michael13419]

There is a water soluble thinner that is supposed to be used with them for painting purposes. The product description is, admittedly, poor, but you can then clean with nothing but water. It’s been my personal experience that using soap on your brushes tends to splay the bristles much faster than using solvents for clean up.

[@paisleypeacock1001]

I love the Winsor and Newton water MIXABLE oil paints. I see no difference between them and the W&N Winton. I also mix the Artisan with the Winton (regular oil paint) but clean-up would require brush cleaner either solvent or solvent free such as Chelsea Studios brand. The problem you are having is mainly because they are such tiny tubes. The binder has separated. With a larger tube and a horizontal palette, you can put down your paint and mix it if the binder has risen to the top of the tube. Once I have used them once, I have room in the tube to massage the tube before opening it to help mix it. Especially because I hang my tubes. I suggest buying one or two big tubes to try them if you're an oil painter. If you're new to oils, try the sets, just make sure to mix them in the tube by gently squeezing paint back and forth with the cap on or mix on your palette. You'll love them!

[@someartist2938]

please make some reviews for other oil brands :D

[@kyrie0033]

"What is lamp black!?" Hahahahahahaha

[@stephenfularz7573]

I use water and walnut oil with artisan water oil paints.

[@2209009pm]

Thanks for showing us what to expect with water-soluble oils. I've had a set of these for over two years but just never got brave enough to try them.

[@jambunsarenice]

would love to see you review student grade paints and see what you think!

[@brackalack1]

Would you be willing to try the golden open acrylics? I love oils, but I now have a really strong allergic reaction to any solvents. I wondered if the golden open acrylics might be a substitution.

[@anders7766]

Hi! I use W&N Artisan water mixable oil paint. With VERY little water. Painting thin on paper. ALWAYS try first on extra paper! Result: NO SMELL, works well. Nice paintings. be aware of Opaque and Transparent. Cleaning afterwards with luke warm water and a lot of ordinary soap. /Br Anders Skollermo

[@stephenspiteri_zunkus]

I use both Golden Open Acrylics and W&N Artisan water soluble oils. the Golden are great for blocking in and the first stages in my case. They dry up much quicker. The W&N Artisan are better in that they dry slower, much slower than the Golden Open and so let me blend more. They also dry at the same tone that I put them in. The acrylics dry darker. I do not have the runny experience that was experienced in this video. I did buy them in larger tubes and not in a box set. Is there a difference? I do not have good experience with diluting them with water but use their dedicated solvents and oils. I used to work in traditional oils for decades and can say that I almost get the same results with the Artisan oils. The major difference from the traditional oils is that the water soluble dry more consistently across the colour range, the traditional oils vary in shine or glossiness, The traditional oils are more buttery and can achieve impasto better, I sometimes create impasto highlights in the underpainting using a blend of acrylic and impasto paste to achieve a similar effect, not the same though. Overall the W&N Artisans are great. They solved my problem that I had with the odours that traditional oils left in the house. The traditional oils also started to make me feel sick, these do smell a bit but very little comparatively. Hope this helps.

[@arthurpletcher7299]

I'm just wondering if you used the professional grade of water mixable oil paints? ty

[@redangrybird7564]

I have not used W&N brand but I have used Cobra and I can say that they are student grade oils (poor pigment load) and when dried look like plastic not oil paint.

[@paisleypeacock1001]

I did not like Cobra water mixable but I am very happy with the larger tubes of W&N Artisan water mixable oils. Yes, comparable to Winsor and Newton Winton (best student grade IMO)

[@edgaraugustosernagomez6379]

Hola por favor generar ña opción en tus videos de tener subtitulos en español . Gracias

[@dillardparker7546]

Have you tried Golden Open acrylics? They have a very similar feel to oils and stay 'wet' longer.

[@sujanithtottempudi2991]

I did....but they are too transparent thin unlike oils. Layering is tough

[@dillardparker7546]

@@sujanithtottempudi2991 There is a slight learning curve involved and there are ways in which they can be manipulated to resemble the depth and consistency found in oil. It does take a couple passes though.

[@grahamsibbert2412]

I have experienced liquid coming out with the paint. I contacted the makers and was told to squeeze the tube several times to mix the paint in the tube. It is a sign of old stock being sold. Anyone with a mind that they don’t like something is typically displayed here by the moans at every tube squeezed.

[@bllawlk]

I use this + water for the underpainting, it is like using the watercolour (fun actually, make sure the painting board is flat). No solvent. After that I just use the normal oil + linseed oil paint to cover the underpainting.

[@Robocop-qe7le]

ok this makes sense

[@kenmonk8262]

water mixable oils you can paint just like Bob Ross if you use 50% titanium white 50% linseed oil there is no difference

[@paintaway2349]

you could try dipping your brush in a tiny amount of oil and of course removing the excess in a napkin if you'd feel so, and see if adding more oil like that in your mixes would make them behave more properly for blending, or just add a tiny amount of the freshly squeezed runny paint in the mix, cause that would just be again adding oil in there, also the excess oil can be removed by placing your paint on paper, or cardboard, or a towel, let it sit there for some minutes or more and see how much oil you want it to suck, it would certainly not take overnight.

[@nikkiswenson54]

I recently bought the Cobra ones but haven't used them yet. I about poisoned myself over the past Winter with oderless paint thinner (gamsol). I may order some of the other premium type, (Holbein) too. I like regular oils in Winsor Newton, however.

[@johngrantner]

Even tho Gamsol is odorless, it still releases toxic fumes. Use Turpenoid Natural instead. It’s safe.

[@Findecanojojje]

I don't think the paint is the issue here, you might just be using brushes that absorb too much water. Winsor and Newton has a line of brushes designed specifically for the artisan oil paint and they work great.

[@pollyester6627]

Good one; "Very unsatisfactory fussy thin layer." Duly noted, applies to traditional oils as well, big time! Open time for blending may be an issue due to absorption of ground, (acrylic gesso).

[@Robocop-qe7le]

good point; the washing was quite good imo

[@RobertF-]

They're the paints of the future.

[@palnagok1720]

Holbein duo aqua are far better or rembrandt

[@gregorygarcia1754]

I havent used these in 20 years, and bought a ton with the mediums. I'm relearning them my own self. Yes they separate, most paints do. I prefer dry paints to mix my own media into bur the AVAA life drawing/painting studio is tight and cramped and solvents are not allowed and I dont like the solvent free gels because they get gummy. You know who kicks butt with these paints? Patrick J Jones. He gets $100,000 /painting

[@danclark9987]

When I decided to get back into oil painting, I decided to compare W&N Artisan with Cobra and Daniel Smith water-mixable oils. My experience is similar to yours - overall not acceptable. Cobra and Daniel Smith paints are MUCH better.

[@kalilavalezina]

"Mysterious ooze" 🤣 I bought these paints a few weeks back. They seemed slimy to me.

[@Banniesartistry]

Thank you

[@danielorourke2677]

They're not made from water...

[@oliversanthana]

Great artist

[@Artvideos2024]

Loved it and humar as well 😂😂👍👍

[@fluidfox1436]

I've been wondering about this crap for years

[@johngrantner]

It’s not crap at all. It’s actually just like traditional oils if you know how to use them. Scott doesn’t.

[@Battleaxeangel]

11:15 13:16

[@sagad.alsady]

wow

[@sujanithtottempudi2991]

Water mixable oils suposed to Used with water....but very less

[@susanroberts1400]

I don’t like them water mixable either only oil ❤

[@sonja11.11]

You need to thin your paint with medium only, not with water. Water is for cleaning your brushes, also the brand of wmo is important. These are not the best brand ... these are more like a student grade paint. Even regular student grade oils separate and perform poorly..

[@anjapinkau3737]

I'm sorry, but I can't go on watching this. You say you are used to painting with oil, but when oil separates from the pigment, it's "Argh! Gross!", over and over again. And you review paints of which you haven't informed yourself. They are "normal" oil paints with an emulsifier. That means they "mix" with water, so you can clean your brushes etc. just with water and soap. And if you use it sparingly you can dilute the paint with water. But for better results you should still use mediums. And the cadmium, cobalt and manganese paints are still toxic because those pigments are toxic.

[@NancyParsons-y3g]

Not true, any of it. It’s able to be cleaned up with water. Otherwise, just oil paint. That’s it. Learn to research and read.

[@mikecaffery5739]

Comment

[@nokiot9]

I think these paints are just really heavy body watercolors with an oil surfactant in it.

[@nucleartoilet4646]

I bought one of these at Micheals in Magenta because they were the only Magenta oil paint at the shop. I'm a bit nervous to use it now...