Oil Painting for Beginners - Safety and Products

[@rachelpieters784]

I wish this video was around when I put on my brave cap and began learning to oil paint last year. I was terrified of all I had heard, and it was a real challenge to find all of this information, which I had to track down separately, and it took a really long time. In the end, it wasn't so scary after all, and I absolutely love it. I was extremely frustrated painting with acrylics, and the unique properties of oil was exactly what I had been looking for. Even still, I've always been worried about the disposal of my painting rags, and I went through numerous types of containers to figure out how to store and drip my mediums one drop at a time, so thank you for including that information. This video is a godsend for anyone scared to, or just learning how to, oil paint. Excellent advice, all the way around. Thank you!

[@santiagohardy2728]

Thank you for this information. For the past two decades, I've only painted with gouache, acrylic inks, and acrylic paints, as well as acrylic mix-in mediums. A few weeks ago, by chance a neighbor gifted me a brand new, small starter set of oil paints that her husband didn't want. So i have been slowly purchasing small amounts of oil mediums to add to the oils when i decide to use them. I figured as much about the toxic fumes that most oil mediums emit. However i had no idea about the possibly combustion factor of linseed oils. Wow.

[@Ripvanw1nkl3]

I just started oil painting, thank you!!

[@MichaelPhillipsatGreyOwlStudio]

I have a few comments about this: 1. Turpentine has a bad reputation that is undeserved. This is because people confuse turpentine with hardware store mineral spirits, esp. in America, where the terms are often used interchangeably. They are NOT the same. Good quality gum turpentine smells like fresh pine, just like the Georgia pines they are sourced from, and it is not nearly as toxic as the petroleum-based products such as (non-odorless) mineral spirits from a hardware store. You still need to ventilate, of course, but it is a naturally-derived product in its purest forms and not nearly as dangerous (or as smelly) as people will claim. The quality matters enormously as well. The bad quality turpentine is sourced from foresting debris and will smell terrible, absolutely headache-inducing. So, it is imperative that, if you're going to use it, you need to buy the expensive stuff. If you cannot afford that, then OMS is your next best bet. 2. However, I'm not completely on board with the idea that odorless mineral spirits (OMS) are the safer and healthier option. This is because they are still based on petroleum. The difference is that they are designed to have less surface tension and thus aerosolize fewer particles per hour than turpentine (about 10% vs. 50% respectively). However, I'm convinced OMS is still worse because you are still being exposed to petroleum-based products. Plus, the lack of odor tends to lull people into false security and they don't think about recapping their container nearly as much and thus are potentially exposed to more fumes than they would if they simply practiced good studio hygiene, i.e. recapping religiously and ventilating properly. Once, years ago, when I was still learning, with proper ventilation but without recapping my container, I experienced a great deal of dizziness with OMS after a very long painting session. 3. I can still buy lead-based paints in America, and I absolutely LOVE genuine Naples Yellow. I find it utterly indispensable as a pigment. No other simulation captures all its wonderful mixing qualities, its covering power, and its unique tinting. I use it when I want to simultaneously warm and lighten during mixing. But you are absolutely right: just don't eat your paints! And wear gloves if you're using a paint with heavy metals in it. I'm glad you put such high emphasis on good studio hygiene, because that's the most important thing no matter what materials you use. Anyway, love your videos, Florent!

[@barbarafatelier]

Thanks for all this information. I loved the video. Florent is one of my top channels about painting and I always read the comments because people have so much to share, too.

[@daniahamweih5929]

My reasons why I LOVE your channel: Informative Inspiring Helpful Great for all levels Thank you for putting in effort and time to create such content😍😍😍

[@lurklingX]

Thank you this was SO HELPFUL! I heard about the combustion problem in somebody else’s video, and that had me so worried about fire hazards. 🔥 I had to stop and look around for a reasonable and informative video. Yours hit all the marks and even some things I didn’t know that I needed to know. (there’s a surprising number of people on KZbin that obviously are brand new, and also treat their channel like total social media. So it’s a little frustrating to try and comb through all of it for real channels like yours, and draw mix paint, etc. I appreciate you!)

[@Diamondraw4Real]

I started painting with oils again after a long while. I bought two small bottles of solvent or thinner, and instead of taking the foil off one bottle (that is under the cap) I kept the foil on and just cut a small opening so even when I pore there's no chance of having an accidental spill. Ventilation is really one of the things to have, to feel comfortable when using oils or linseed oil too. I would like to try water based oils some time in the future as well.

[@lilidzholi9714]

It is simple: just don’t eat paints!

[@Gumsamumsa]

Lol!!

[@jodiyoung3650]

But it’s sooo goood!!! Lol

[@bigdaveuk97]

​@@jodiyoung3650only the heavy metal pigments are yummy. They rock 🤟

[@zoetkt]

Thank you so much for all this information! It really bothers me that people just call oil painting toxic without explaining exactly what they mean by that. I really like that you explain and discuss alternatives as well! I really want to try it out myself, but i feel like I need dedicated space for it that can be well ventilated and where I can leave stuff around to dry.

[@fixitAlchemist]

thank you for this video! im stressed out about using oil paints poorly but i feel much safer knowing that i can paint safely

[@medicinemadisonofficial]

I don't use turpentine either, I clean my brush in linseed oil. Also, about toxic pigments (lead white, orpiment, realgar, cinnabar, vermillion and so on), they are still commercially available from Kremer, MasterPigments and others. They can be sold (although under extremely exceptional circumstances since they are toxic), and they are used by restorators who really need to use the exact same pigments when restoring historical paintings. I am curious how you keep your studio orderly, I find it a bit difficult due to the amount of art supplies I have (I am an interdisciplinary artist, and regarding painting, I work in several mediums - watercolor, acrylic and oil, but I have many supplies also for making paint and for other artistic pursuits). Very interesting and informative video!

[@BatmanArkamWorld]

I know it might be a dumb question but if I was to paint without linseed oil and only use gamsol as my solvent, should I even worry about the fire hazard? Because then I could just use the same rag and dispose of it weeks down the line. Love the video btw, I wanted to oil paint soon and didn't know what to do.

[@troyingram716]

I got my first oil color and I have built a shrine around it. The mod podge will be here this afternoon. I am waiting to buy a bottle of thinner.

[@sallyjom-cooper470]

Not related to this video. Thank you for promoting classical knowledge in painting, I attempted to get it at university and could not, ended up doing metalsmithing because it was at least teaching skills. Glad to find you now. Glad you are talking about this deficit in knowledge in the Visual arts. Hopefully via alternative media artists can turn the ship around.

[@MiguelGarcia-xx7we]

Thank you! I still have a question: how do I clean up a table safely if I accidentally drop oil painting medium on it?

[@Marionantolin]

Super vidéo, c’est hyper dur de trouver toutes ces informations, et d’avoir une version cohérente sur ces sujets, ça va aider beauuuucoup de monde j’en suis sure !

[@julie3286]

Aw man (1) These videos are so helpful! (2) You have a very pleasant voice. (3) Your pictures are beautiful and diverse, and really inspiring. (4) Your surname means "colored" in Norwegian. As in 'something that is being colored.' (5) You're so pretty

[@marenfriemann3589]

I appreciate this video so much! Having worked relatively extensively in ceramics, I was less wary of some of the fumes/dust factors when it comes to oil painting (after having mixed glazes from scratch, dealt with clay dust, etc.) because I'm familiar with safety precautions for that, like proper ventilation and wearing protective clothing, but when I learned about the risk of spontaneous combustion it definitely made me hesitate despite being excited about oil painting! This video has helped me to feel more confident in preventing that risk. I'm beginning to learn to oil paint with just the paints and linseed oil, and I have an artist soap to help with cleanup, so I look forward to trying things out and deciding whether or not I feel the need to add any solvents to the mix.

[@lucas_1448]

10:05 that container is beautiful!

[@mayrasoria7872]

I found this after I totally used way too much solvent … I wish my oil painting Professor taught this before I got started as a total beginner … 😢

[@TheSmashCapital]

Great video. Thank you for sharing.

[@tasmairevandikar3294]

Your videos really make me happy 😊😊 .

[@Willow_Arnold]

THIS is the video i needed! Amazing as always

[@sabledawn]

You can also use non-toxic essential oils in small amounts instead of mineral spirits. Try lavender spike oil and/or rosemary oil. According to experts, unlike turpentine and odorless mineral spirits, essential oils like Lavender Spike Oil and Rosemary Oil maintain the bond between pigment and oil, they help in the adhesion of paint to canvas and paint to paint. The drying times are similar to turpentine. My wife and I are both sensitive to chemicals and neither of us has ever used the more toxic chemicals. She is a talented portrait painter who paints in delicate layers and I'm an alla prima hack, so I'm sure the oils can handle both types of artists.

[@n_sart]

Just bought your 7 hrs course and can't wait to start :-D

[@5minuterelaxation126]

Great safety tips.... excellent for beginners. Thanks!

[@chrissiebury5339]

Thank you for your good advice.

[@uuh.okayiguess]

What kinds of oils can you use to make the paint more fluid/ to thin it out? Can I f.e. use sunflower oil or does that not polymerize like lineseed oil (I don't know if that's necessary for the paint?)

[@mikekeyes6102]

Brilliant, clear, and essential advice.

[@sablemoreno5095]

One question: another video I watched had said that the rags were ok to stay out as long as they're laid out completely flat on something like a ceramic dish or a metal container to avoid area directly surrounding the rag getting too hot from the oxidation and spontaneously combusting. (I forget exactly if that applied only to oil or if it applied to mediums and solvents as well) Is that the reason you're saying for them to be put into a bin, or is it more to do with fumes they give off? Asking mainly since I'm planning on getting into oils and the spaces I'm going to be working in (a storage shed made studio and my room) are OK in ventilation, but I have pets nearby in the room across from me, so if its a fume thing I dont want to risk them getting sick. The color on the rag or paper instead of the solvent container is how i do my watercolor anyway so it'll be an easy shift when I start oils. I found that at a certain point by brushes stopped getting cleaned between colors and would hold on to the discolored water WAY too much since the pigment was so heavily concentrated. I just wipe, rinse in the water, wipe again, then into clean water so my other colors aren't mixed (since its usually like a blue to a yellow color or something)

[@rinnyj9547]

this was a lot of information. thank you for it.

[@stephenfularz7573]

Thank you for the painting imformation.

[@nimashaperera]

This video was a gem❤

[@pe.g3436]

A lovely and very informative video again! Thanks a lot, Florent, for all your help with my painting. I really love to watch your excellent videos!

[@jb_robert]

Merci Florent pour la vidéo. As-tu testé les diluant sennelier écologique (green for oil diluant or medium)? Apparemment, les utilisateurs se plaignent d'un temps de séchage extrêmement rallongé. Sur certains site web, il est mentionné qu'il faut en mettre très peut, or pour la première couche je suppose qu'il faut quand même mettre une bonne quantité (afin d'avoir une couche très maigre)? Voilà si tu as un avis et un retour d'expérience ça m'intéresse. Autre question, habituellement lorsque tu fais ta première couche, quel ratio peinture/solvent utilises-tu? 50/50?

[@jennifercinquini9811]

Amazing video thanks!!! I use only Linseed Oil with Windsor and Newton primary colors (titanium white, cadmium yellow / red, ultramarine blue). I have no solvents. Is this toxic at all? My studio is not ventilated. Thanks so much!!!

[@Banana00012]

Same!

[@Banana00012]

So you get a little burning sensation when u paint? Especially on your face?

[@lostinthefaq]

No

[@IGFineArt]

Nice tutorial we can learn from you a lot...👍👌👏

[@ohiovic1236]

Thank you ❤

[@lampa2411]

I paint in my garage. It is a ventilated area, but of course not as outside. Do you believe it is enough for using solvents?

[@brooke850]

Question 🙋🏼‍♀️ my husband and I changed our house to a “clean” home for fertility reasons. I had to have 2 endometriosis surgeries and taking it all really seriously. I wonder about if I can oil paint now and if I get pregnant? If so any particular brands to get or types of paint that would be safe for me in the US? Thank you!

[@sandiegriffiths1469]

I personally would suggest trying water mixable oils if toxicity levels and safety of traditional oils is something that concerns you. Different properties but a great compromise!

[@brooke850]

@@sandiegriffiths1469 I like that idea! I found out on August 25 that I am five weeks pregnant! I thought I have to put oil painting on hold, during the pregnancy. Do you have a brand that I could research? I would love to paint still. Thank you so much!

[@troyingram716]

It is good to use substance that is in the body like iron or sunflower oil.

[@williamlovemo8596]

Does the glove thing apply even if I'm not using solvent?

[@atokea77777]

Thank you, very useful.

[@ForeverArt0]

u r the best artist nd youtuber 😍

[@kardoffl1416]

That helps a lot. Many thanks!

[@jazminalvarado8433]

Thank you! But have you tried non-toxic Natural Orange Terpene solvent? or a Soy Thinner( made from Soybeans)?

[@amab2672]

Salut Florent, est-ce que tu aurais un lien ou une référence pour les droppers en plastique souple? Merci!

[@helenmelton]

I was wondering the same thing. Merci!

[@andypandy8744]

what do you do with dirty napkins/rags? can you clean the rags or throw them away in a normal trash or should it be taken away to be disposed with the solvent

[@zsoltbaritz7225]

Hi all, So use cadmium and cobalt in oil paint safe? I mean if I don't eat them will I safe? I use gloves too...

[@suemassey6099]

Very, very helpful. Thank you.

[@kaistinks1949]

Does the solvent turn yellow? CUz mines clear and I haven't used it yet. Or is it just different solvents?

[@chashere2621]

what is the best way of getting the values from a photograph does photoshop or any other free programmes have way of seeing values with colors not just black and white picture conversion, what best for helping to start oil painting, wanting to learn to paint in oils any help in where I aught to be looking to have technology help me in this as I hear copy or tracing etc.. is ok for artists to use. thanks

[@pawehordyniak636]

About arsenic in paint - Did you have opriment yellow in mind? In my 15 min research I found to my surprise that one still can buy opriment yellow pigment, but it is separated from any sulfur. And that sulfur was responsible for creating arsenic after long exposure to light. The sulfur-less opriment is still toxic btw. and should be handled with care.

[@pawehordyniak636]

Well My research was too short. It's not opriment yellow. It's "Scheele Green" and oh boy that's something

[@naedolor]

Titanium white is very good as a general strong white but it is chalky and makes colors dull. When it comes to glazing, there is no substitute for lead white. Don't eat it, don't smear it on your face, wear gloves and you will be fine. Painters like Titian, Monet, Michelangelo lived very long lives and they used lead white extensively.

[@Morticia147]

The Company Schmincke has a substitute for lead white it's called kremser white tone. It's not opaque and not poisoness.

[@danm94]

@@Morticia147 Flake White hue from Schmincke is pretty darn good indeed. I believe some small paint manufacturers still produce their version of led or flake white after old recipes(they say) so better pay attention to products you might get hands on., but most got rid of the toxic version and replaced with something else, or they simply remove it from their color range.

[@Artloveandlife]

How safe is lavender spike oil? It claims it is non toxic and safe. Any thoughts? Love all your informational video's thankyou!

[@bigdaveuk97]

It stinks and can cause reactions in some....

[@michaelgates991]

I'm intrigued by the frequent appearance of products with Finnish labeling in your videos, such as the metal container at 4:30 (labelled "TURPENTINE - ODORLESS", whatever that means). Do you visit often or just happen to order from a Finnish supplier? Somewhat related, I happen to live in Finland, and as a beginner, I've been having trouble trying to buy the products I'm looking for, because the labels and descriptions are confusing, and often difficult to associate with the English names found in most online sources for these products. I could not, for example, identify what you call "stand oil" from the myriad of bottles available in the art store I've been visiting, as nothing was labelled as such or anything easily related to it. Yet it must have been there, since it's a specialty store.

[@meiscydimaano4871]

Thank you! Much appreciated♥♥♥

[@sujanithtottempudi2991]

I had been using mgraham walnut alkyd medium.... excellent nontoxic dries the painting in 24hr

[@mysterymccarthy6851]

I have heard that the citrus based solvents don't preform well, so I haven't wanted to bother trying them. Wondering, have you or anybody tried spike lavender oil as a medium? I have heard good things about it. I am thinking of trying it myself. I would like to try to use it to create my Imprimatura layer. Since I am no longer using solvents, I have been dry brushing this burnt umber layer on very very thinly, it is fine, but it is hard work to achieve an even layer and even harder on my poor brushes! I made the choice to go solvent free for a couple years now, and it is working much better then I ever imagined. I clean my palette and brushes with oil and it works amazingly well, just plain cooking oil. My brushes are in condition because of it. When painting I use these solvent free mediums: Oleogel, Linseed Oil, and Gamblin Solvent Free Medium. The only hazardous product I still use is my Gamblin varnish, because there seems to be no less harmful varnish available, maybe one day. I agree with using varnish outside, the fumes are just too nasty for indoors.

[@bigdaveuk97]

Citrus solvents can cause terrible headaches and flare up allergies. Same with spike oil. OMS is much better tolerated in general.

[@billurnurdan2980]

So please tell me what to use ıf ı wanna oil out when ı use water wıth the paint

[@samslavin9659]

Most likely it’s a silly question, but if I use some Sansador to remove an oil wash from a model (a small vehicle model), would it be too hazardous in a poorly ventilated room?

[@bigdaveuk97]

Yes and no. It's all about how long you are exposed to the vapour from the solvent. If you're oil washing a large plastic model like a Warhammer tank then you will have hours of build up of vapour exposure from the solvent put on the model and you would not know unless you had a TVOC monitor, because there is no odour. Without ventilation yes, this wouldn't be good for you, breathing in that vapour which displaces the oxygen your body wants. Long term not the best idea mate.

[@SkyHeart63]

So if I have a paper towel that I used to wipe my brush off only (and I only used paint and oil), I can safely dispose of it in the trash can?

[@FlorentFargesarts]

Absolutely!

[@SkyHeart63]

@@FlorentFargesarts YAY thank you so much!!!❤️❤️❤️

[@kavitabhandariarts205]

Thanks. Very helpful

[@art_julio_lancis]

You are a good at art my friend 👍 👍 💯

[@AlexisS998]

Will the solvent dissolve the bottle?

[@oskar1862]

MERCI FLORENT!

[@antoinettedominguez7697]

Thank you tons of people have scared me unto not oil painting by scaring me about fires but I feel confident I can do this safely after watching this.

[@folaabraham4122]

A year ago I made a painting with oil...noticed just few weeks ago that it's beginning to form soapy foams all over the surface,how do I fix this please ?

[@SkyyeMoore]

Wtf

[@shahzadqurashi7728]

Very nice

[@shaimada1316]

Helps a lot , thank u 🌹

[@jamesthrift6194]

If you are the type to eat your paint, then I’m sure you won’t be watching this video about safety.

[@adisaikkonen]

At 4:29 there's a Finnish label on the Winsor & Newton Odorless Turpentine: "Tärpätti - Hajuton". I live in Finland yet I've never seen a Finnish label on any of these products - they're all in English. Now we know they have all been shipped to France 😂

[@MostStrange1]

What brand of oil paint do you use ? I see you were on the Winton Newton website !

[@paddyrobin3050]

He uses fine Artist Oil color from Winsor & Newton and Sennelier :)

[@MostStrange1]

Paddy Robin thank you

[@paddyrobin3050]

@@MostStrange1 You're very welcome!

[@luislizarralde5946]

Why did you stop making videos in french do you have other channel in french?

[@cg8397]

English gets him bigger audience

[@olovmartin]

If you use a rag for cleaning brushes while painting, how do you then clean the rag?

[@Idellle]

You throw it away, I use toilet paper

[@cg8397]

Use disposable kitchen paper instead

[@oybrj]

Probably a very noob question - when do you thin your paint with solvent, and when do you thin your paint with linseed oil?

[@oybrj]

And there is also paint mediums - is that the same as using linseed oil? I’m trying to learn to paint ala prima, but I find all the additives quite confusing

[@cg8397]

Follow "Fat over lean rule": use thinner for the first layers, oil for final top layers

[@cg8397]

​@@oybrjGamsol and other alkyd mediums can be used in place of linseed oil

[@Thunder-qo1bc]

Walnut can also combust.

[@cg8397]

All drying oils (walnut, poppyseed, safflower, etc.) have this problem

[@someartist2938]

i live in a little room. i eat there, i sleep there, etc. so... can i paint in my room with oil paints?

[@مريَم-ط5م7غ]

same):

[@springshowers4754]

try opening a window when you do it.

[@cg8397]

You can do plein air painting in the outdoors at your local park instead

[@bobyounger6109]

No wonder Vincent Van Gogh cut his ear off ,bloody paints drove him too it!?😂😂

[@233Hicks]

"Don't eat your paint" normally we'd let the herd thin itself out... not any more.

[@troyingram716]

I wash my brushes in Naptha soap.

[@samanthasherrard162]

Watercolor Painters: sometimes I mix up my drinking cup with my paint cup haha, so funny Oil painter who clean with solvent: 😰

[@joserivera-qb4zv]

Yeah don’t eat but most importantly ventilation

[@vladimirorlov2375]

🙂🤔👀👍💻🖌🎨🎨🎨

[@tyzon1988]

It´s just look to tasty you know painting a hamburger then it´s hard not to take a bite or two mmhh

[@williamsilvagarcialeal4645]

You are so beautiful! I wish we could date.

[@SkyyeMoore]

Bruh lmao

[@coffeepot3123]

Overly long video just to explain these points in my opinion.