Plein Air Painting Links

I’ve run into several airport security workers who also called me back to the check-in gate after searching my luggage and telling me that oil paints are flammable and not allowed to be checked. In each case I asked to talk to a manager and had them correct the person and tell them that it is okay to check oil paints and that they aren’t flammable. However, it is quite a hassle to get called all the way back from the gate and have to go through security a second time, so what I do now is include the following print outs in with my packed paints. You’re welcome to print them out for yourself.

Air Travel with artists’ colors made from vegetable oil.

The US Department of Transportation defines “flammable liquids” as those with a flash point 140 degrees F or below. Artist grade oil colors are based on vegetable oil with a flash point at or above 450 degrees F. THEY ARE NOT HAZARDOUS.
If you need to confirm this, please contact TSA at 866-289-9673 or their Hazardous Materials Research Center at 800-467-4922.

MSDS Data Sheet

Packed with the paints is the MSDS data sheet from the paint manufacturer with the exact flash point info.

WINSOR & NEWTON COLART AMERICA — 089 ARTISTS OIL COLOR CADMIUM ORANGE
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MSDS Safety Information
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FSC: 8010
MSDS Date: 11/17/1994
MSDS Num: BWVSS
LIIN: 00F038794
Product ID: 089 ARTISTS OIL COLOR CADMIUM ORANGE
MFN: 01
Responsible Party
Cage: 03103
Name: WINSOR & NEWTON COLART AMERICAS INC
Address: 11 CONSTITUTION AVE
Box: 2390
City: PISCATAWAY NJ 08855-1396
Info Phone Number: 908-562-0770/800-628-3385
Emergency Phone Number: 800-628-3385/908-562-0770
Review Ind: Y
Published:
=====================================================
Fire and Explosion Hazard Information
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Flash Point Method: CC
Flash Point Text: 446F
Extinguishing Media: CO2, DRY CHEMICAL, FOAM
Fire Fighting Procedures: KEEP COOL.
Unusual Fire/Explosion Hazard: BLACK SMOKE MAY BE EVOLVED WHICH EFFECTS EYES
& LUNGS. AUTOIGNITION TEMPERATURE: >572F.
=======================================================
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Reactivity Data
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Stability Indicator: YES
Stability Condition To Avoid: EXTREME TEMPS
Materials To Avoid: COMBUSTIBLE MATTER, COTTON WASTE
Hazardous Decomposition Products: ACROLEIN
Hazardous Polymerization Indicator: NO
=======================================================

There is nothing more enjoyable than to lose yourself in a beautiful oil painting that you are creating as you allow it to take you into another time or expresses emotions that hide deep within you. But, if you are allergic to or can’t stand the smell of the oil paint your experience won’t be that pleasant.
There is now another alternative for the smell and the clean-up that is inherent when painting with oil paints. Water-soluble oil paints don’t have the irritating odor and they clean up with soap and water. The concept is similar to the egg and oil tempera paint but the molecular structure has been altered so that the oil can be mixed with water (who says oil and water don’t mix).
Some artists are skeptical and still prefer the traditional oil paint. Many say that the water-soluble oil paints aren’t as good and misses the mark when the artist wants the traditional oil painting look. Others say there is no difference except in the clean up and can produce a painting that is just as beautiful with either medium.

Definition

So what exactly are water-soluble oil paints? They are made from the same pigments and linseed oil as regular oil paint but they are water-miscible and they dry faster than traditional oil paint.

Uses

Water-soluble oil paint can be used just like oil paints. It can be thickly applied as when using the impasto technique with the brushstrokes being retained just as with regular oil or thinly applied as when using watercolors and it doesn’t bleed into the other colors when applied. When thinning water-soluble oils with water mix up the color you want first then add the water rather than adding the water to the pigment until the color you want appears. The color will get darker as it dries so it’s important to be aware of this (Willard, 1998).

Some brands can be mixed with oil up to a 70:30 ratio to retain it’s water soluble value, but other manufacturers warn the artist not to mix the water-soluble oil with traditional oil paints. Therefore, it is very important to check with the manufacturers’ directions to determine if the water-soluble paint you are using is the type that can be mixed with the tradition oil. There are certain formulas that can be used for each method.

Water-soluble oil paint dries faster than oil; usually within 24 hours at which time, if the artists chooses, it can also be applied on top of the layer that is already dried. Thick layers typically dry about four times faster than standard oil paints. Varnish can be applied usually after 6 months.

Longevity

Because water-soluble oils have not been around too long it’s difficult to determine from experience how long the finished product will last with this medium. Whether the paintings will last as long as the Old Masters paintings is yet to be seen. But even those have to be restored periodically.

Reference:

Willard, C. (May, 1998). Water-soluble oils. American Artist, v62 n670 p16(4).