Yes, you can use linseed oil with water-mixable oils.
Water-mixable oils, also known as water-soluble or water-miscible oils, are oil paints that have been modified to allow them to be thinned and cleaned with water instead of solvents. While they can be used with water, they can also be used with traditional oil painting mediums, including linseed oil.
Benefits of Using Linseed Oil with Water-Mixable Oils:
- Increased Flow: Linseed oil can improve the flow and workability of water-mixable oil paints, making them smoother to apply.
- Slowed Drying Time: Linseed oil slows down the drying time of the paint, which can be beneficial for blending and achieving certain effects. This is especially helpful if you find water-mixable oils dry too quickly.
- Enhanced Gloss: Linseed oil can increase the gloss and transparency of the paint.
- Making your own Mediums: You can use linseed oil as an ingredient when making your own water-mixable mediums.
Important Considerations:
- Water Mixability is Maintained: Adding small amounts of linseed oil will not eliminate the water-mixable properties of the paint. You can still thin and clean your brushes with water, though you may find that adding too much linseed oil makes cleaning easier with soap and water or a small amount of solvent.
- Oil Content: Remember that water-mixable oils are still oil paints. Keep the "fat over lean" principle in mind when layering paints. In other words, subsequent layers should have a higher oil content than previous layers to ensure archival stability.
- Water-Mixable Linseed Oil: You can also purchase water-mixable linseed oil specifically formulated for use with water-mixable oil paints. These versions emulsify readily with water, making them even easier to incorporate into your painting process.
Examples:
- Adding a few drops of linseed oil to your paint on the palette to make it flow more smoothly for fine details.
- Mixing linseed oil with water-mixable painting medium to adjust its properties, such as drying time or gloss level.
- Using a glaze made with linseed oil to create transparent layers of color.
In conclusion, linseed oil is a compatible medium for use with water-mixable oil paints, offering benefits such as improved flow, slowed drying time, and enhanced gloss. Just be mindful of the oil content when layering and consider using water-mixable linseed oil for even easier integration.
