Oil Paint

Can Liquid White Be Used with Water Mixable Oil Paints?

Liquid White can sometimes be used with water-mixable oils, but compatibility varies and adding a conventional oil medium can reduce how readily the paint cleans up with water.

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Water mixable paint is used for easy clean-up and solvent-free painting. These paint materials are different from oil paint; however, it works like natural oil paint, which is pretty interesting. On the other side, the liquid white material is pure oil. It needs solvent for clean up. So, can you use liquid white with water mixable paint?

Water-mixable oil paint is a very good alternative of general oil paint. You can use the paint on a thin liquid white basecoat. First, apply liquid white as a base coat (wet on wet technique), then apply the paint. You will get a great result. It is water soluble oil paint; however, do not use water to thin the paint because it fades and flat the color also makes paint sticky. Instead, use linseed oil or others. 

In this article, I will explain the following:

How to make liquid white for water mixable oil paint?

For water-mixable oils, a purpose-made water-mixable medium is the most predictable option; homemade substitutes can change drying, handling, and water cleanup.

However, if it is not affordable, you can make your own. This is the recipe:

You need

  1. Linseed oil
  2. Putty knife
  3. Titanium white

The necessary materials 

  Material type Grade Note
Winsor & Newton Artisan Water Mixable Oil Colour Water Mixable Oil paint, titanium white Student Populer product
Cobra Water-Mixable Oil Paint Water Mixable Oil paint Student Good alternative on water mixable oil paint
Gamblin Gamsol Odorless Mineral Spirits Bottle Paint thinner Artistic grade Best alternative and premium product, odorless tinner. Safe thinner
Winsor & Newton Refined Linseed Oil Linseed oil Artistic grade Popularly uses in painting project 
6 x 14ml Paint Tubes & Lids by SAA Paint tube Artistic grade Good product as paint storage 

How to make the liquid white?

Step 1: Put titanium white and linseed oil on the paint palette. The ratio should be 1:1. 

Step 2: Blend the mixer properly.

Step 3: Your liquid white is ready. Store it in an air seal jar or paint tube.

How should you apply water mixable oil paint on the liquid white?

If the products are compatible, use only a thin wet layer and test first, because too much medium can make the surface slick and change how water-mixable paint handles.

  1. Must use gesso-primed canvas. It makes the painting surface smooth and helps the painting dry faster.
  2. Apply a very thin coat of liquid white on the canvas. Remove excess liquid with a soft clean cloth.
  3. Apply the paint before drying the liquid white. Don't forget it is wet on wet technique. 
  4. Apply one coat, then give it some time to dry and apply the other coat. Apply liquid clear between the coats. Replay the process of painting. If you give enough time to dry between coats, the painting will be long-lasting without any issues. Because oil paint takes a good time to dry, but after drying, it lasts forever. However, Bob Ross finished his painting within 30 minutes, that's very interesting. 
  5. Don't use water to thin paint. Use linseed oil, walnut oil, safflower oil, and more. You can also use paint thinner.  

Which is the right medium for water mixable paint

Use mediums specifically recommended for the water-mixable oil brand when possible, since conventional oils and solvents can change water cleanup, drying, and film behavior.

You can apply medium for paint thinning:

  1. Bob Ross liquid white and clear: unique and great material for wet on wet technique. 
  2. Odorless paint thinner: solvent but less odor.
  3. Linseed oil: dry faster than any other medium
  4. Walnut oil: This medium does not have painting yellow issues. However, it takes a long time to dry.
  5. Safflower
  6. Sunflower
  7. Poppy oil
  8. Stand oil
  9. General oil paint: not more than 25%, because it will lose the water miscibility. 

How can you thin water mixable oil paint?

Thin water-mixable oils with the manufacturer’s recommended water or compatible medium, depending on the painting stage and the amount of flow or transparency needed.

Follow the step for paint thinning.

Step 1: Take paint and a thinner substitute on a paint palette. The ratio depends on your thickness.

Step 2: Mix these two with a palette knife properly, and your paint is now thin. That's it. 

How can you clean the brush of washable oil paint?

Many water-mixable oils allow soap-and-water cleanup, but brush care depends on the paint, medium, and brush type, so follow the paint and brush maker’s guidance.

Before cleaning Bob Ross Brushes, take a small amount of linseed oil or any painting medium to brush hair. Then a dry rag or paper towel and wipe the brush properly. 

I explained how to clean a Bob Ross or natural bristle brush properly in this article. You must check.