Believe it or not, choosing the right painting medium in regards to your health is very important. For example, if you suffer from asthma like I do, it is important to realize that painting with oils requires working with paint thinners and other substances with harmful vapors. Although there are precautions you may take to protect yourself, like using odorless thinner and/or wearing a protective face mask, you may decide that you do not want to take a chance working with these substances at all.
Furthermore, some mined minerals used for pigments (like the cadmiums) are toxic or even carcinogenic in their pure form. Since most oil paint is made up of pure pigment bound in oils, and since oil is easily absorbed into skin, toxins quickly travel into the bloodstream when in direct contact with the skin. Other paints, like acrylic ones, are polymer based and don't allow seepage into skin. It is important to decide whether you will use the potentially harmful pigments or manufactured substitues, but if you do make sure you use proper precautions to prevent the pigment from getting into your bloodstream.
Getting Started
If you've decided that oil painting is for you, the upcoming articles will get you started. We will first begin to focus on setting yourself up with the right materials and keeping yourself safe from the potential dangers of oil painting.
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