Yes, you can absolutely mix them!
Understanding the Basics
Mixing water-mixable oil paints with traditional oil paints is a common practice among artists. Despite their different properties when wet (one can be thinned with water, the other requires solvents), they are both based on the same binder: oil.
The Key Takeaway
According to one source, "you can absolutely mix them! In fact, I use both water-mixable and traditional oil paints in my own work." This highlights that combining these two types of oil paints is not only possible but also utilized by experienced artists.
How Mixing Affects the Paint
When you mix water-mixable oil paints with traditional oil paints, the resulting mixture will have properties that are a blend of both.
- Ratio Matters: The more traditional oil paint you add to a water-mixable mixture, the less water-mixable the final paint becomes. If you add a significant amount of traditional oil paint, you will essentially lose the water-mixable property, and the mix will require solvents for thinning and cleanup, just like traditional oils.
- Consistency: The consistency can be adjusted by adding either water (if the mixture is still water-mixable) or appropriate solvents like mineral spirits or turpentine (for traditional oil or a predominantly traditional mix).
- Drying Time: Mixing generally does not drastically alter the drying time compared to using either type of paint alone, as both rely on the oxidation of the oil binder.
Practical Mixing Tips
Here are a few insights when combining these paints:
- Start by mixing a small amount on your palette to see how they combine.
- Consider the tip from the reference: "You might want to start with one tube of water-mixable paint to tone or draw with (I like Royal Talens Cobra transparent red oxide for this step)." This suggests using water-mixable paints for initial layers or specific applications within a painting that also uses traditional oils.
- If you intend to maintain some degree of water cleanup or thinning, ensure the majority of your mixture is water-mixable paint.
- Always use appropriate mediums for oil paint (either water-mixable mediums or traditional oil mediums, depending on the dominant paint type in the mix) if you want to alter flow, transparency, or drying time.
| Paint Type | Primary Binder | Thins/Cleans With | Mixes with Traditional Oil? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Traditional Oil Paint | Oil | Solvents (e.g., Mineral Spirits, Turpentine) | Yes |
| Water-Mixable Oil Paint | Modified Oil | Water (and Solvents) | Yes |
In conclusion, feel confident in experimenting with mixing these two types of oil paints. It expands your color palette and offers versatility in your painting process.
