[David_Aaron_Sercel]

Originally Posted by Hugh

First, I would need new brushes??

Not necessarily. I have used the same brushes that I used for acrylics with oils, and while ideally I prefer a slightly stiffer brush for oils, the softer ones work ok. And if you are going to be diluting the oils, the brushes you have should definitely work just fine. It is just a matter of having a brush that is stiff enough to handle the thickness of the paint you will be using.

Originally Posted by Hugh

What about flow medium, and varnish. I suppose they would be different also??

If it is going to be mixed with the paint then yes, you would need different ones for regular oils.

I’m not so sure about the water soluble oils though. Acrylic mediums might work with them, though I haven’t tried. And they do mix with water, so I don’t know. When using water soluble oils I prefer just using water to dilute them, because oil mediums extend the drying time and decrease their water soluble qualities. But acrylic mediums may work.

Originally Posted by Hugh

What else would I need to consider to change to oil paint.

Just to practice on something that you don’t mind messing up, because they do handle quite a bit differently than acrylics. The longer drying time does make blending a lot easier, but you have to remember to let it dry thoroughly before overpainting.

David

[Hugh]

Thanks David, think it is worth looking at.

[brian bailey]

Hi David,

Your mention of water soluble oils got my interest up. I did a google on the Van Gogh H2Oils and went to the below link. Their write up wasn't very postitive on the lasting qualities of this type of oil.

Since you have used this oil, any thoughts concerning this?

http://artistcraftsman.com/Merchant2...gory_Code=VGWM

[Nancy_G]

Jax - that's a great decoy. And congratulations for Ocean County. The competition there is really stiff, right?

I can't wait to see your others.

[David_Aaron_Sercel]

Originally Posted by brian bailey

Hi David,

Your mention of water soluble oils got my interest up. I did a google on the Van Gogh H2Oils and went to the below link. Their write up wasn't very postitive on the lasting qualities of this type of oil.

Since you have used this oil, any thoughts concerning this?

http://artistcraftsman.com/Merchant2...gory_Code=VGWM

This is the first time I have heard anything about this . I have talked to dozens of other artists (mainly flat artists) who use water soluble oils exclusively, many of whom have been using them for years, and have never heard anything about them not lasting as long as regular oils. I have heard overwhelmingly positive feedback about them. Many artists are switching to them because of dangers from fumes from thinners and other solvents used with regular oils. I just started using them about three months ago so I can’t comment on their archival qualities from my own experience, but judging by the experiences others have had, the quality of water soluble oils seems comparable to regular oils.

I’ll have to look into it some more.

David

[brian bailey]

David,

Thank for your reply. I just wanted to get a first hand opinion of the water oils. I'm not a big fan of water base finishes, so I thought I would ask.

Since you've had personal experience and have heard nothing but positive about them, that's good enough for me .

Thanks, Brian...

[jax]

Thanks to all for your comments on the carving.

Gilley,

I use oils for large carvings so that I can re-work the carving after a coffee break and I find the oils better when blending....acrylics dry to fast for me.

I thin the oils with low odor mineral spirits and generally give three coats to the carving. Also I mix a small batch of the colors and cover it for later use, this way I have the same colors to use for each coat.

I do use acrylics for small carvings.

Jax.