I Am Allergic to Solvent, Can I Still Complete the Mastery Program?

Created by Daree Johnson, Modified on Fri, May 24 at 12:20 PM by Catherine Hill

Yes! Oil paints themselves are not toxic and only contain linseed oil and pigments. 

Usually, it is the solvents that someone may have a sensitivity to, not the actual oil paints. 
For students who have trouble with them, we recommend Gamblin's line of solvent free mediums. You will be able to complete the entire program using these. 

Here is where you can read more about them and the way that they work: https://gamblincolors.com/oil-painting/mediums/solvent-free-painting-mediums/   


These would be the substitutes needed:


  • Safflower oil - to replace solvent - For cleaning your brush


  • Solvent free fluid - to replace the solvent and linseed oil mixture that you create in week 1.
    • Also can be used like Galkyd lite for glazing and creating drips


  • Solvent free gel - Similar to Galkyd gel but without the solvent. Works great for glazing and adding to your paint to speed up the drying process.


These are a great alternative if you need to have a solvent free studio.

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