Updated on: August 20, 2024
* “Holbein Duo Aqua Oil” introduced in this article is no longer available at our store.
Oil paints can be applied in layers to create a strong, glossy surface but they take a long time to dry and require careful handling of volatile oils such as turpentine and petroleum, which are used to thin the paints.
HOLBEIN’s health labels state that when using these paints, solvents and mediums, “Good ventilation and airflow should be maintained.”
Holbein Duo Aqua Oil was developed to overcome such challenges faced by those who want to enjoy oil painting in their homes and private studios.
Traditionally, oil paints are made from oil, which makes them insoluble in water. However, the DUO series contains a small percentage of a surfactant that allows water and oil to be mixed together. This means that you can dilute the paint with water instead of using volatile solvents like petroleum.
I experimented with various techniques using DUO while painting a still life. The first step in this process is to create a base.
Oil paints have a slower drying time and moderate viscosity compared to water-based paints, which allows them to be spread thinly using a stiff brush, such as a hog's bristle brush. However, because of the long drying time, it can be challenging to complete a painting quickly using oil paints alone.
To address this, I plan to utilize the characteristics of DUO paints. Since these paints are water-soluble, they can be mixed with acrylic paints, allowing me to prepare the underpainting while still maintaining the viscosity of oil paints.
For the foundation of this painting, I mixed MATSUDA's titanium white acrylic paint with DUO's burnt umber to create the base color.
Although thinned paints with volatile oils are used for underpainting with conventional oil painting, DUO paints make it possible to dilute the paint with just water.
The next step involved using colors that closely resemble the final image.
To speed up the drying process, I mixed Duo Quick Drying Medium Gloss with the paint, as the DUO series, like other oil paints, still requires some drying time.
By mixing about the same amount of this medium with the paint, the drying time can be reduced to approximately one day. If you find that your brush feels too heavy or dry, you can adjust the paint's viscosity by adding some painting oil.
I increased the amount of oil used from the previous step to add highlights and create thin areas in the main subjects.
There is a painting technique in oil painting called "fat over lean". When applying paint in layers, the oil content of each layer should be greater than that of the layer underneath. This technique not only prevents the surface from cracking but also gives a sheen unique to drying oil.
In this step, I exclusively added linseed oil for DUO. Other than that, different water-soluble stand oils are available in the lineup, allowing artists to explore classical techniques and various painting expressions according to their preferences.
I increased the amount of oil used from the previous step to add highlights and create thin areas in the main subjects.
There is a painting technique in oil painting called "fat over lean". When applying paint in layers, the oil content of each layer should be greater than that of the layer underneath. This technique not only prevents the surface from cracking but also gives a sheen unique to drying oil.
In this step, I exclusively added linseed oil for DUO. Other than that, different water-soluble stand oils are available in the lineup, allowing artists to explore classical techniques and various painting expressions according to their preferences.
We were able to finish less than 6 hours, including preparing art materials.
Of course, it is easy to clean up, and the brush can be washed neatly with water and soap like acrylic paint.
By all means, please start a new art life with Holbern duo.
Art Materials Expert at PIGMENT TOKYO
Akira Oya
Born in 1989 in Tokyo. Master of Fine Art and Design at Nihon University College of Art.
He also continues his career as a visual artist.
Born in 1989 in Tokyo. Master of Fine Art and Design at Nihon University College of Art.
He also continues his career as a visual artist.