Water-Mixable Oils

Discover the numerous merits of working with water-mixable oil paints in this accessible beginner’s guide. Water-mixable oils are more environmentally friendly and easy to use for artists of all skill levels.

Water-mixable oil paints offer a simple and easy way into the world of oil painting. They offer all the qualities of traditional oils – rich pigments, buttery consistency, long drying times and the ability to change and evolve as you paint – but with one big difference, there is no requirement for solvents or other mediums.

The aim of the book is to encourage and inspire beginners and to provide them with all the skills and knowledge they need to produce successful oil paintings. It starts with an introduction to the medium, and explains what water-mixable oils are and why they offer a good alternative to conventional oil paints. This introduction is followed by several sections on materials, preparation (getting your space ready, how to care for your brushes, storage of paints, etc.), color (selecting your basic palette), mixing the paints and preparing your surfaces. The first demonstration explains how to explore colour to paint in the style of Vincent van Gogh.

There are then five longer projects that guide the reader through an entire painting from start to finish, on themes such as abstraction, still life, landscapes, buildings and working from a photograph. The projects are designed for success, which fosters confidence and encourages practice, which in turn makes people into enthusiastic, happy painters!
Each project will be accompanied by a clear list of materials needed as well as top tips and skills practised; Sarah also interjects with useful anecdotes and words of wisdom garnered from her experience working in this vibrant and exciting medium.

At the end of the book, the reader discovers how best to store and transport finished paintings, especially if the paint is still tacky to the touch, and how to crop a painting for greatest impact.