For years, oil paints have carried an unfair reputation for being hazardous to your health — but how much of that is actually true? If you’ve ever hesitated to explore the beauty of oil painting because of toxicity myths, you’re not alone. The good news? Most of these fears are outdated or simply misunderstood. In this article, we'll debunk common misconceptions about oil paints, solvents, and brush cleaning — and show you how you can enjoy a safer, more vibrant painting experience. Ready to dive in? Visit the Milan Art Institute Art Store to explore our carefully curated selection of professional-grade, health-conscious oil paints and materials!
Oil paints are made from pigment and an oil binder, typically linseed or walnut. That’s it. Whereas acrylic paints are made from pigments, water, and polymer binder (as well as other additives, depending on the brand). When comparing binder to binder, the acrylic polymer binder ranks nearer to toxic than linseed or walnut oil. But let’s look at the pigments used in both acrylic and oil paints.
While some pigments themselves are toxic, such as cadmium or cobalt, the route of toxicity is inhalation (especially when in powder form). So the moment the pigment is mixed with oil, the risk of toxicity is drastically reduced. Now, you obviously don’t want to go around sniffing cadmium paints or putting any kind of paint in your mouth. But the general fear of oil paints being super toxic materials — particularly in a well-ventilated area — is ill-informed.
While it may have been true for a long time that the only paint thinners on the market were toxic, this simply isn’t the case anymore. Your geographical region may offer different brands than here in the United States, but low-toxic solvents are available.
Our favorites here at Milan Art Institute are SoyThin and Eco-House.
SoyThin is a soy-based paint thinner that reduces vapors and toxicity; Eco-House is a citrus-based thinner. Both products still contain ingredients you wouldn’t want to ingest or get in your eyes, but they’re incredibly mild in vapor and toxicity compared to most common turpentines and solvents. The majority of our students use these milder products without any ill effects to their health.
Learn how to use Elli Milan's Warm and Cool oil paint system
Now that we’ve established that toxic solvents aren’t the only type in existence, let’s bust the myth that any solvent at all has to be used to clean oil paint out of paintbrushes.
While it’s certainly not a widely used technique, walnut oil is actually capable of getting paint out of your brushes! If you’re looking for a truly non-toxic “paint thinner,” consider the incredible properties of walnut oil — which thins paint from the brush just as well as other odorless solvents, but without removing the essential oils from the bristles.
Using walnut oil as a thinner does come with a slightly varied process from typical solvents (something you can read more about here), but if you’re willing to make those slight adjustments, you can enjoy solvent-free oil painting!
If you’re especially sensitive to the odor of commonly used paint thinners, or are particular about the ingredients you bring into your home, this may be your best way to go (unless you’re highly allergic to walnuts, in which case, I’m sorry).
So there you have it. Oil painting can be incredibly rewarding and doesn't have to include toxic materials. You CAN enjoy a nontoxic oil painting experience. With the right materials and knowledge, you can eliminate unnecessary exposure to harmful substances and paint with greater peace of mind.
Whether you choose to use low-toxic solvents like SoyThin and Eco-House, or embrace completely solvent-free methods with walnut oil, there’s an option that fits your needs and lifestyle. Modern oil painting can be a clean, safe, and deeply rewarding practice that nourishes both your creativity and your well-being.
So why wait? Step confidently into the vibrant world of oil painting — your artistic journey deserves it! Stock up on premium, artist-approved oil paints and eco-friendly supplies today at the Milan Art Institute Art Store. Your masterpiece is waiting to be created.