Any health concerns with water soluble oils?
 

I have used acrylic paints for years and have been successful but I have recently switched to the new water soluable oil paints. Now I am considering getting pregnant and would like to know if there are any health concerns with this type paint. Should I go back to acrylics? Also, how do you varnish with this type of oil paint? I would like to get some opinions of what people think of this medium.

You must read the labels!
 

I am so glad that you are concerned with the safety of the materials you are using....it is so very important! Each brand of paint has its own particular ingredients....and the toxic materials they contain can even vary from color to color.

There is no simple and universal answer. The only way to tell is to read the labels of each individual brand and tube....and also contact the manufacturer for more detailed information before you finally choose.

Caution: Mediums, varnishes and thinners can be very toxic....always read your labels!

Toxicity of art materials
 

Regarding the inquiry about toxicity of water-miscible oil paints, it is wise to treat ALL your paints and solvents as if they were poisonous. Some are, some are not, to varying degrees and under varying conditions. Unless you are completely knowledgeable about the specifics of each, you are safest to err on the side of caution. Acrylics also contain harmful and/or toxic substances. One cannot realistically expect carelessness to be consequence-free. ASTM health labels are worth the trouble to read and take seriously.

Here is a web site on "Health and Safety in the Arts and Crafts;"

http://www.ianr.unl.edu/pubs/consumered/nf126.htm