Painting with Water Miscible Oils

I am becoming reaquainted with the water miscible oils due to the limitations of the apartment we are renting in Arizona. I have used them before and have taught classes in their use. They are great for traveling and have also enabled me to paint when I am here in Arizona. I don't have to be concerned with a messy clean-up and smell in a small apartment.

The low humidity in Arizona was a challenge at first. I found the oils to be sticky, especially some brands, so I switched back to the Holbein Duos and that made a difference. I also tried using the "medium" that Winsor -Newton makes and that also made my paint more workable. Using a smoother surface such as linen was another discovery. The paint loves a smoother surface. I will continue to experiment with that!

I still find that synthetic brushes work the best with these oils. I tried my favorite hog bristle ones, but I still had problems with them becoming like mops with the water I use to clean them while painting.

I will continue to share my painting tips as I work with these oils.
Left: Plein air painting in the Arizona desert.