How to SAFELY Use GAMSOL

[@larrymarshall9454]

A reasonable, rationale description, Tanner. There are so many oil painters who paint WITHOUT solvents, odorless or otherwise, that it seems a better way to go. Turpentine wasn't invented until the 1800s. DaVinci, Rembrandt, etc. never used anything but linseed oil. They did ok.

[@tiagodagostini]

But you need to deal with the time issues then. That is not reasonable for everybody.

[@IlSinistero]

There are old solvents who are rediscovered again, like spike lavender oil essence, look into it, I love it though being very expansive 🙂

[@dawnrunner121]

@@IlSinistero I have spike lavender oil too, by Classical Studio, and keep it in a small plastic needle-dropper bottle. I only dispense a drop or 2onto my palette at a time, fan on, window open. I have been very concerned about making sure my cats are OK with this approach bc they hang out by the studio window and if I shut the door they howl. I hope this sounds pet-safe.

[@connorttt-yc5uv]

Don't think that's correct, davinci used walnut oil and turpentine in a 5050 mixture I believe

[@MattTaylorMotion]

"Turpentine wasn't invented until the 1800s". This simply isn't correct. People have been distilling turpentine since at least the third century, and were producing it without distilation well before then. Artists have been using it to thin paints since at least the fifteenth century.

[@danielmangetsu1545]

Gamblin thinner is completely safe if used as recommended. One part oil, one part gamsol. Also gamblin have solven free medium line. I personally use galkyd lite as first layers (dry in 24-30 hrs) then move on to gamblin solvent free medium (dry time 3-4 days). If people want their layers dry faster than that, they should use acrylic paint. For me, oil painting shoul be a enjoyable painting process that shouldn't be rushed.

[@4p4k]

There are non toxic alternatives to Gamsol that work really well. I use sennelier’s ‘green for oil’ thinner and mediums. They’re completely non toxic and biodegradable. Gives you peace of mind when you paint in your bedroom haha

[@tannersteedart]

Good to know! I will look Into that. How similar is it to gamsol? Does it leave any residue?

[@4p4k]

@@tannersteedart works pretty much the same as gamsol. I use it to tone my canvas and block initial shapes and it works really well for that. I’m not sure what exactly you mean by residue, yes if you spill some on a surface it does get slightly oily even after wiping but it helps knowing it’s non toxic and biodegradable, doesn’t smell at all either.

[@tiagodagostini]

That does not exist. Anythign that can dissolve a lipid can damage humans. THere is LESS toxic, but if it can dissolve lipids it can damage human body.

[@las174]

I get a sore throat, and feel awful being around that stuff. Too bad because I love the effects on the paint. Will look into another comment here for Sennelier's 'green for oil'. It's so hard to get ventilation in the winter. I tried not using spirits for months, but it's hard to get the paint thin for initial washes. I use Oleogel, recommended by Andrew Tischler, but it's not the same for the early stages. Also add walnut oil with an eye dropper.

[@jwsmithyou]

I'm so glad there are people like you out there. So many people think mineral spirits are non toxic believe it or not. Thank you!!

[@tannersteedart]

I'm glad you enjoyed!

[@ManuelvanderZijl]

Talens (the brand that makes Rembrandt oil paint) has a great watermixeable oil paint called Cobra. It's excellent quality paint and you can just use water instead of solvents. I noticed that a lot of people don't even know about the existence of it and I'm surprised it's still not really popular. It's so much better for you and the environment and you don't sacrifice quality, since it's truly a highly pigmented paint with perfect consistency and archivalbility.

[@tannersteedart]

Thanks for the tip!

[@jamiewest1282]

Thank you for such an informational video. I loved the “put the lid back on” segments. I’m over here dying of laughter! 😂😂😂

[@tannersteedart]

Lol thanks for supporting my immature humor.. 😅

[@lkhorvath4]

Thanks for the info. I'm new to gamsol. Your so pretty!

[@andemaiar]

Ah shit, I'm new to oil painting and have just been putting my Gamsol in an old glass, letting the vapours flow all over the place. Guess I gotta be more careful.

[@renskev.470]

Maybe you can put a little saucer on top of it? That's better than nothing.

[@zobobeebo8011]

I'm so grateful to you for explaining this, I did indeed think they were less solvent when not as smelly/mineral so 'better for you'... I'm new to oils, want to start working with my acrylics then oils on top to bring depth of colour etc. My mum has been banging on about a good friend of theirs who has been an oil painter all her life - she's now riddled with cancer and mum keeps saying it'll be the stuff she used :( back in the day you just didn't really think about it as much I guess, very sad. I will try oils with liquin, I think, but my overthinking worry brain is now very hesitant! Thank you for this though, really helpful to us newbies! :)

[@tannersteedart]

My pleasure! Feel free to ask any questions I am happy to continue to help!

[@Choedron]

I never use solvents while oil painting. I use some cheap safflower oil for taking off most paint before washing them with soap and water. You can just let the oil set and the pigment will accumulate at the bottom. Then you can pour the oil into a new container and dry out the pigments with a paper towel. And I use a bit of linseed oil as thinner if needed while painting. There is no need for solvents of any kind.

[@py528]

100%

[@maddih3411]

I find Senneliers Green for oil so hard to work with. Never dries and is incredibly oily, in a bad way.

[@brittanybuettner2116]

Love the humor in what could be a serious topic 😂

[@tannersteedart]

You got it! :))

[@katz103]

Thanks for the information !!

[@tannersteedart]

My pleasure!

[@stanleyipkiss3806]

I find it unbelievable that nobody has figured out how to make a non toxic, non combustible medium to thin oil paint. All of the ones available say “don’t use more than 10 drops”…some of us want to be able to cover up a 6’ canvas in one solid color without using 5 tubes of paint. Seriously, it just blows my mind, it’s pigment mixed with oil, give us something to make it thinner.

[@tannersteedart]

Some companies make spike lavender oil, which is supposed to be non-toxic, but the odor is a little much for me.

[@py528]

I have successfully created a Non toxic studio painting in oils by using Chelsea Classical citrus brush cleaner. I make my medium with it as well. It's non toxic. The lavender is not. Check it out.

[@christeenawad511]

Hey thank you for taking the time to make this video! So i oil paint outdoors- i never spilt it before but i spilt some on som stone and also my hands... How do i properly remove it from my hands and from the ground? Did i jusy destroy myself lol

[@johnbloom1109]

Turpentine is only harmful if you don't use it outdoors in an area with a lot of ventilation. I personally love the smell of turpentine and I never thought it was toxic until I read up on it. It was used medicinally and even ingested (crazy) historically speaking. Ironically enough the most dangerous substance a painter can use is boiled linseed oil. It contains downright nasty metallic driers and has engulfed entire apartments and killed people due to the fact that it can easily set rags on fire due to the driers that it contains.

[@tannersteedart]

Insane! Thanks for this information!

[@cameronkrause4712]

my friend lanced a hemorrhoid with a darning needle and then applied a generous splash of terpantine. It fixed him right up!

[@celeenfairbrook5061]

What type of damage can exposure to gamsol do to a person?

[@ShannaeJ]

What do you do with the paper towels that you use to wipe your brushes after cleaning them in Gamsol?

[@tannersteedart]

Ideally, you should place them in a metal bin with a lid. You want to reduce your exposure to the vapors as much as possible. I will be honest, I'm not perfect, I let them dry out in another room. But I admit, this is not wise.

[@DannySabraArt]

I’m interested in what the risk actually is in gamsol exposure. I have heard of people developing an allergy over the course of decades but that of course is not referring to gamsol but more traditional solvents. Someone recently asked me about the need to wear gloves and I told them I honestly wasn’t sure. Gamblin insists on their website that both their paints and solvents cannot be absorbed thru healthy skin. You mentioned ingestion which would be a huge no no as well as inhalation if you were sanding down a painted board. But I’m a standard uses, while I personally do use gloves just in case and keep my studio ventilated, I still wonder what the real risk is. I’ve tried using no solvents but that is not an ideal working process for me as of right now.

[@tannersteedart]

The allergy that people talk about can be devastating, as those with it have a very difficult time painting in groups because they have to deal with either putting up with the headaches or having to ask random people to not use their preferences for mediums. It's best to avoid the development of the allergy. I'll be honest, I do not know the physiological damage that gamsol does to the body, but if anyone knows I would love to learn!

[@tiagodagostini]

Anything that can dissolve oil can be absorbed by the SKIN (our skin is not impermeable to oils). If it can enter the blood flow is another matter. As a rule of thumb always be careful with things that can dissolve stuff that is in your body ( oils are lipids and therefore int hat class)

[@_trismegistus]

Any mineral spirit or turp solvent produces toxic vapors. Cancer and brain damage risk over time, for sure.

[@johnwest4097]

@@tannersteedart One problem with solvents is when they come in contact with your skin and allow toxins/carcinogens such as cadmium to enter your bloodstream where you definitely do not want them. I read somewhere that oil paint from the tube, undiluted with solvent, is far less likely to enter your bloodstream as it is fully encased in the oil and unlikely to penetrate your skin. Stay safe. Live long and prosper!

[@Slyxs_art]

What is the metal pot he is putting his gamsol thinner in

[@tannersteedart]

www.jerrysartarama.com/da-vinci-air-tight-stainless-steel-500ml-brush-washer-86121?gad=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwuNemBhCBARIsADp74QRnH8wtM3KFRusCfnlfbL8c4e_4_CI-KFSCNE_NRFahMz9XoIYeX3AaAuZOEALw_wcB

[@nolzsnow824]

I have a very important question. Can you use Gamsol as a thinner for silicone pigment for painting? Thank you! 🙏

[@tannersteedart]

I do not know if it can be used for this purpose. My apologies. I wish you luck.

[@cameronkrause4712]

I thin my paint with gasoline. I love the smell!

[@tannersteedart]

🤘

[@py528]

I truly hope you're just joking? Gasoline is a hydrocarbon. It is poison to the central nervous system.

[@JudyACrowe]

Hi Tanner. Great videos. I’ve been painting for a long time and used linseed for many years but have recently been using m graham white. It’s very creamy. The binder is walnut oil which dries a bit slower than linseed..I’m wondering if using that white mixed with another color where the binder is linseed is a problem. Do you know? Thanks for the input.

[@IlSinistero]

Im using spike lavender oil essence, its not an oil but a solvent, that doesnt cause cancer - as far as we know... has a strong but not bad smell and other than mineral spirits, its strong enough for dammar or mastix - downside is, its very expansive, here about 40€ for 236ml or 8oz

[@JudyACrowe]

I’ve tried that and yes, very expensive!

[@artbykmic]

THANKS MAN! 😁

[@tannersteedart]

Happy to help

[@SamJamwich1]

Is it wrong that I kinda like the smell of turpentine? 😅

[@tannersteedart]

Yes you have a problem, and should probably get that checked out 😉

[@SaralinaLove]

I love it too. Natural turpins come from plants large and small. It's healing ✨️ it the right amounts ive found for myself and there are millions of peoole who use Turpin for health like this. When we smell a pine tree and Christmas tree, a fire in a fire pit w pine tree wood etcetera we are enjoying that smell of the Turpins. Sooo good!!! Yazzz!

[@cameronkrause4712]

breathe deeply my friend!

[@jessica5497]

Can I...not use It...at all? I'm new to paiting.

[@tannersteedart]

You will need it to clean your brushes off as you paint, and to clean after your painting session. If you never clean your brush during your painting session, you will run the risk of having dirty mixtures which will impact your values and color saturation.

[@_trismegistus]

@@tannersteedart You definitely do not need a solvent to clean your brushes during or after your paint!!!! You can very easily use your oil medium of choice to clean the brushes. I use artist's walnut oil. Wipe paint out of brush with paper towel, dip in a bit of walnut oil, rub around on palette if you want to mix in it more, then wipe it out. 1 or 2 passes of this will pull almost every trace of paint out of the brush, solvent free. You can then end your painting session this way, and use a good brush soap with some water to finish it off.

[@SaralinaLove]

Interesting. Just thr wlnut oil? And soap after? How do yiubstore your brushes long term? I hear peoole out them in the freezer??? Can yiu make a video ok brish care befroe and after and on surface prepartions and primer types? Thank you!!! Loov yiur videos!.

[@_trismegistus]

@@SaralinaLove I will use solvent too sometimes, but linseed/walnut oil medium will also work to get the paint out. Once I've cleaned them with the soap and dry them I just store them upright like normal until next time. I've never frozen brushes or paint.

[@kswiatlo]

at least 3 times you said the same thing. not like it, gone....

[@tannersteedart]

Sorry for the ramble. I tend to ramble a lot and my editor was fired;)

[@friedrichfasing7854]

Excuse me, do you smoke? I mean, cigarettes? Or even- else? With every puff you inhale much more bad substanceses than by just using Gamsol. Nice video , though. NEVER, EVER GO OUT INTO NORMAL TRAFFIC. YOU´LL DIE IMMEDIATELY FROM EXHAUST FUMES!!!! Why do you just care about making good pictures? I use Gamsol, but for much different reasons. Like, it doesn´t smell....... Hang on!

[@tannersteedart]

Hahaha, this is a wild comment. I like to care for my health, as I plan to paint for the rest of my life. To each their own, I guess? And no, I definitely don't smoke. ;)