Yes, water-based oil paints offer traditional oil painting results with safer cleanup. This guide highlights five top options suited for different styles and workspaces—ideal for studio painters, students, and hobbyists who want the feel of oils without strong solvents. Each pick is explained for who benefits most, plus practical notes on usage and limits.
Comparison at a Glance
| Product | Best For | Key Benefit | Typical Set Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winsor & Newton Artisan 1.25-oz Set | Home studios and schools | Looks and handles like traditional oils | 10 tubes |
| Winsor & Newton Artisan 0.4-oz Set (20) | Beginners and classes | Safer cleanup with water, versatile | 20 tubes |
| Marie’s Water Soluble Oil Color Set | Solvent-free option, color variety | Entry-point with solvent-free formulation | 18 tubes |
| Winsor & Newton 1.25-oz Titanium White | All hobby and professional artists | High-coverage white with water-based ease | 1 tube |
| Mont Marte 36-Color Set | Educators and studios with many hues | Wide color range for experimentation | 36 colors |
Across these options, choose based on workspace safety, color variety, and how closely you want to mimic traditional oil painting techniques. The following sections detail each product, who it’s best for, and practical notes to help you compare options quickly.
Winsor & Newton Artisan Water Mixable Oil Color Set, 1.25-Oz Tubes
This 10-tube set mirrors conventional oil color in appearance and handling. It’s best for artists who share a workspace or paint at home, such as students or hobbyists, who want minimal solvent use. The mixability with water makes cleanup simpler while maintaining traditional oil characteristics. Names included cover a balanced spectrum, though actual contents may vary by batch. Choose this if you want a compact, flag-ship option that feels like oils but cleans up with water.
Best for: shared studios, classrooms, or home painters seeking familiar oil behavior with safer cleanup. Limitation: color variety is solid, but may not include every preferred hue in all batches.
Winsor & Newton Artisan Water Mixable Oil Color Paint, 0.4-Oz Tubes, Set of 20
This 20-tube set expands color options while keeping water-cleanup advantages. It’s better for artists who want more room to mix vibrant tones and experiment without solvent exposure. The oils are water-transportable via an emulsion, preserving working characteristics of conventional oils. It’s ideal for studios or schools where teachers need more hue choices. Caution: ensure proper mixing to avoid inconsistent thinness in certain pigments.
Best for: students and painters who need a larger color library without solvent odors. Limitation: slightly higher complexity in achieving precise viscosity across all colors.
Marie’s Water Soluble Oil Color Set – 18 Colors (12ml Tubes)
Marie’s set provides a solvent-free path into water mixable oils with 18 colors in 12ml tubes. It looks and handles like traditional oil colors, but water-thinable with a simple wash of water. This option is well-suited for artists who want a solvent-free workflow and a broad palette for studies, landscapes, or figure painting. It’s not a single-color focus but a versatile starter kit. Caution: colorfastness and permanence details are not provided here; test pigments if you need archival results.
Best for: solvent-free experimentation, classrooms, and artists seeking a gentle transition to water-based oils. Limitation: lighter pigment saturation may require layering for opacity.
Winsor & Newton Artisan Water Mixable Painting Medium, 75ml
This medium slows drying, increases luminosity, and improves flexibility of Artisan oil colors. It’s best for artists who want smoother glazes, richer textures, and extended open time to oil out dull areas. It also resists yellowing over time, helping maintain color integrity on finished works. Use when you want more control over surface sheen or to blend subtle tonal shifts. Best for: painters who value longer working time and enhanced depth in color.
Limitation: adding medium alters the varnish-like surface feel; test compatibility with your chosen pigments before broad use.
Winsor & Newton Artisan Water Mixable Oil Colour Titanium White, 1.25-oz
This pure white option provides the opacity, coverage, and consistency required for mixing, highlights, and clean highlights across paintings. It adheres to the same water-cleaned workflow as the other Artisan oils. This tube is a staple for any water mixable oil set, enabling strong light areas and clean blending. Best for: all-round use, from underpaintings to final highlights. Caution: use a dedicated palette knife to avoid pigment cross-contamination with other colors.
Mont Marte MPOW3618 Water-Soluble Oil Paint Set (36 Colors)
This set offers 36 colors in 18 ml tubes and can be diluted with water for lighter tones or mixed with traditional oils. It is a strong choice for educators or artists who want a broad palette and the ability to blend extensively. The satin finish provides a balanced surface that responds well to glazing and layering. Best for: classrooms, studios, or painters who want a wide hue library. Limitation: may require more water control to maintain consistent color strength across shades.
Buying Guide: Key Considerations For Water-Based Oil Paints
- Safety and cleanup: If you value a solvent-free workflow, prioritize products marketed as water mixable or water soluble, and check recommended cleanup methods.
- Palette and color range: Decide between compact sets for beginners or large palettes for experienced artists needing broad hue selections.
- Working time and texture: Some mediums extend open time and enhance glaze possibilities; others emphasize faster drying with strong opacity.
- Compatibility with traditional oils: If you mix with conventional oils, ensure the pigments and binders are designed for emulsion mixing.
- Pigment properties: Look for lightfastness, permanence, and opacity notes in the color index to match your project requirements.
- Workspace and environment: Consider paint odor, ventilation needs, and storage when selecting multi-tube sets for classrooms.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What makes water mixable oils different from traditional oils? Water mixable oils use modified binding oils that allow water to thin and clean up, reducing the need for hazardous solvents.
- Can I mix water mixable oils with conventional oils? Yes, many brands allow safe mixing, but test pigments first to ensure consistent texture and drying times.
- Do water-based oils yellow over time? High-quality water-based oils include stabilizers to minimize yellowing, but finish can vary by pigment and medium.
- Is cleaning up with water enough? For most water mixable oils, warm water and soap are sufficient, though some artists finish with a brush cleaner for hygiene.
- Which set is best for beginners? A 10-20 color set provides a balance of choice and value for learners who are new to water-based oil techniques.
- Are these suitable for all painting styles? They support glazing, impasto, and traditional oil techniques, but some advanced texture effects may require specific mediums.