How I Paint Solvent Free! Safe and Responsible Oil Painting Tips

One of the most challenging aspects of being a contemporary painter is navigating the choice between ensuring my practice is safe for me and eco-friendly.

This simplifies the complex nuances of the issue, of course. Acrylic paints contribute minimally to overall plastic waste yet pose a risk as microplastics, especially concerning water contamination. Responsible acrylic use can mitigate this, but the solvents required for oil painting, considered hazardous, can be safely managed with adequate ventilation, gloves, and proper cleanup. Given my slightly anxious nature and high output, what might be a negligible risk for hobbyists or casual painters becomes a bigger concern in my daily practice. Over the last couple of years, I've sought a solvent-free approach, not as a departure from acrylics but as a means to balance an oil practice without introducing solvents into my studio space.

This realization prompted a pivot to oil painting, a medium that promised the richness of color without the guilt, albeit with its own set of challenges.The transition wasn't straightforward. My initial setup—Gamsol, Galkyd Gel, and Alkyd White—mimicked the quick-drying, textured feel of acrylics but raised concerns about ventilation and health. 

Before my transition to a solvent-free approach, my desire to use oils for my smaller studies (leaving the larger, formal work to my acrylics), led my to an oil setup that mirrored the behavior of acrylics closely. This setup included traditional oil paints from various brands, complemented by Galkyd gel and Gamsol; I even substituted traditional titanium white with alkyd white titanium, significantly accelerating the drying process.

This arrangement was practical for my painting sessions, which lasted a few hours, allowing the paint to dry by the next day for further layering. The galkyd gel particularly offered a texture akin to that of heavy body acrylic paints. This similarity was unexpectedly validated during a workshop with a traditional oil painter who expressed a dislike for galkyd gel, likening it too much to acrylic paint—a moment of affirmation for me in finding the perfect medium that made oil paints behave like my favored acrylics. However, it was the realization of the risks posed by solvents, even with proper ventilation and gloves, that propelled me towards exploring a solvent-free setup.

Determined to mitigate these issues, I ventured into the world of oil cleansing methods and later, water-soluble oil paints. 

Each experiment brought me closer to my goal but was accompanied by compromises, whether it be the quality of materials or the texture of the outcome.

My breakthrough came with the discovery of EcoSolve, a game-changer that nearly mirrored Gamsol's properties, but without its safety concerns. Coupled with Gamblin's solvent-free gel, I had found a combination that respected my artistic integrity and health. 

This new setup—traditional oil paints, Eco Solve, and solvent-free mediums—allowed me to create without compromise, blending the old with the new in a harmonious symphony of colors. Sharing this journey is not about prescribing a one-size-fits-all approach to painting but rather illuminating the path I've carved in my quest for a sustainable practice.

Discovering Gamblin's solvent-free line was very impactful on my practice, especially their alternative to Galkyd Gel, which speeds up drying without solvents. Despite drying slightly slower and being a bit gummier than Galkyd Gel, its texture became preferable after experimenting with aqua oils. I explored other natural thinners like lavender spike oil and citrus-based ones but found EcoSolve by Natural Earth Paint to be the most effective, closely resembling traditional solvents.

Everyone's painting setup is as unique and individual as they are, and what might work for me obviously may not work for you. But if you're someone who sort of likes the feel of acrylics, or at least a faster dry time oil practice, I think this might be a worthy combination to try. I want to say a huge thank you to the two interviews I did with Leah Fanning, the owner and founder of Natural Earth Paints, maker of Eco-Solve. Definitely check out her website, and keep an eye out for an upcoming video on her completely plastic-free acrylic paints. I've already played with them and they're fantastic, and I can't wait to share more information with you all.

I also was able to speak with Mary Tevlin, a product expert from Gamblin. If it wasn't for this Gamblin solvent-free line, I don't know where I'd be in my journey. I also am appreciative for their expansive website and their great customer outreach. I was able to ask questions and troubleshoot through this entire process. Check out both of these interviews, and I wish you the best on your own painting journey.

For fellow artists intrigued by the prospect of solvent-free oil painting, I invite you to explore this setup, adapt it to your style, and join me in redefining what it means to paint responsibly.

Watch the transformation unfold in my latest video, where I dive deeper into the nuances of this sustainable practice.