Grumbacher Max Water-Mixable Oils

Solvents also have VOCs and a strong odor, which make painting in an unventilated space difficult, especially for those who find the smell noxious and have skin sensitivity to these products. Clean up is a challenge with solvents, as improper disposal can harm the environment or cause spontaneous combustion. Max removes the challenges with oil painting and offers a better experience for the artist. The best way to use Max is to use water in place of turpentine or a similar solvent. When water is added to thin down paint for an initial layer, the water dries through evaporation, but a secondary drying process occurs through oxidization — just as traditional oil paints dry. This is why the paint film will be tacky on the palette when small amounts of water are added. The smaller the amount of water, the faster it evaporates. For underpaintings, use a lot of water: 50% or more. This will create a watercolor-like effect that will dry fairly quickly. It's ideal for a first, lean layer. Subsequent layers of paint should use Max with oil painting mediums in order to adhere to the fat over lean process of oil painting. They can be water-mixable oil mediums or traditional oil mediums.

As a true oil color, these paints are compatible with other traditional oils and oil mediums. In order for Max to clean with soap and water, add no more than 30% traditional oil color or medium to Max. When using an extremely fat layer, like a glaze, or when you wish to use more than 30% of a medium with Max, it’s best practice to use a water-mixable Medium like Max Linseed Oil. Max is designed to have a long open time, but drying can be sped up by using Max Quick Dry Medium, or extremely small amounts of Cobalt Dryer. Max paintings need to dry in the same way traditional oils need to dry -- between 6-12 months before they can be varnished. Traditional oil varnishes should be used in this process.

Water can be used to clean brushes when switching colors instead of using turpentine or odorless thinner. When cleaning up after a painting session, brushes and tools can be cleaned with soap and water -- anything from dish soap to brush soap and conditioner. Oil color can even be removed from clothing as long as it's still wet using dish soap or brush soap and water.

Synthetic brushes are the tool of choice when using Max. Natural hair brushes tend to bloat and degrade when exposed to water for long periods.