NEW Painting: Black Swallowtail 1 TIMELAPSE

Solvent Free Studio

Solvent Free Studio

Oil paints get blamed for causing allergies and chemical sensitivities. Although toxic, its usually not because of the pigment, or the linseed oil suspending the pigment. It's the solvents. So, what's the deal with solvents?

Traditional solvent, what we can turpentine, was historically refined from pine resin. Turpentine (turp) now is made from petroleum products and contains all the lovely VOCs you associate with filling up your car at the gas pump. Bring that in the studio? Not a good idea!

Most studios, art programs, and classes wisely require that you use OMS (odorless mineral spirits), to cut down on the exposure to VOCs.  I use Gamsol, a very low VOC, high quality solvent by Gamblin. This helps but doesn't completely solve the problem. While you may not be smelling the solvent, it is still volatilizing, and of course being absorb from your wiping rags into your skin. It's no wonder lifelong artists develop some weird health concerns and sensitivities. 

Some artists are extremely careful, wear gloves, and make sure their solvent is always covered when not in use.  Or they have an offsite studio. I tried, but still felt icky about being exposed to these solvents. There's just no way for me to "solvent proof" my artistic process. My studio is either outdoors or in my home. 

 I plan to paint for a long time. I began exploring other options that would keep my home studio as safe as possible, and not expose me to unnecessary risk. Time and again I came back to water-mixable oil paint. I've committed to learning to use this medium as it is better for me, my studio, and the earth. 

I began adding water mixable oils to my collection back in 2014. I thought they were a great idea for travel because I didn't need to buy solvent at my destination. I debated switching over, but was hesitant  due to cost. Last winter I watched 2 of my studio buddies deal with new chemical sensitivities while studying in their full time art programs. That's when I finally made the jump. 

I've been painting solvent free since spring of 2018! I'm learning lots, and not only am I extremely happy with the results, it's made my plein air set up more streamlined. Gone are the days of finding my turp has dumped all over my backpack or car. I carry water whenever I'm out. I simply refill my brush washer from my water bottle. (I bring my used water back to the studio for proper disposal.) While water-mixable oils have their quirks, they are vastly more similar to traditional oil color than different. 

I'm able to create washes easily, work wet into wet, and really enjoy working impasto in this medium! Glazes can be achieved using special mediums for water mixable oils. Just make sure that painting is dry before glazing. 

I need to give a shout out to artist Lori McNee, whose blog www.finearttips.com has helped fill in knowledge gaps while learning this new medium. I think water mixable oils are a fantastic, underrated medium. I'm so happy I made the switch. I'm still learning new methods and always will be. But I'm confident I made a big change for the better! My studio is healthier for me, my family, and the earth! I hope this change means I have many years of happy, healthy art-making ahead. 

Thanks for reading, 

-Laurel 

Got questions about going solvent free? Water mixable oils? Send me a comment. 

Painting Then and Now

Old Oak © Laurel Sundberg

Painting Then and Now

 I wanted to do a comparison of my work now to that of a couple of years ago. On the left is my painting from this weekend. I painted a stately old oak tree. I only had an hour, a window of time that previously would've been too short for me to get anything accomplished. I'm glad I did! I've biked, hiked, and skied by this oak many times, and have always wanted to paint it. Although it's a small painting, I definitely get a feel for the day, the weather, mood, etc. Hopefully I'll get many more studies of this oak and its moods through the seasons.

Barn at Parley Lake Winery © Laurel Sundberg

At right is a painting from two summers ago. It's a little larger, but summer gives me a more relaxed time to get paint onto the panel. Size and season may vary, but they're both fairly typical paintings from my experiences outside. Each had their share of challenges and each were painted on the same easel, with the same brushes.

In my mind that's where the similarities end! I think my current work is more lively even on a dull, cloudy day. I enjoy the color notes I got from the barn, but I think know if I tackled that same subject now, I would create something completely different. And that makes me happy! How many areas in life to we get to see a record of our growth? Not many. This makes me happy to chase paintings.

I appreciate where I've been. Without taking on the challenge of the old barn, I wouldn't be where I am now.

I joke about painting being a life sport. It takes ages of time (for me at least), patience (an area that's been slow for me to develop!), and a willingness to both accept where you are, but still be critical enough to know where you want to improve. Not mean, but just an eye looking out for where you want to go. I hope in another couple of years to look back on my current work and feel the same way. Grateful for the experience, and happy that it's leading me to improve.

What do you think? Do you have areas in life like this? Have a different idea of which painting is better? 

Until next time, thanks for reading.

-Laurel