A Detailed Look at Solvents

» celfydd - good article

I'm going to have to disagree with Tarval and commend you on your desire to inform people of the health hazards of solvents (not to mention plenty of other art materials). On the contrary, I don't think you went too far in your warnings at all. This is one area where we can and should be leery of excessive direct contact with potentially harmful chemicals.

Case(s) in point: In the last five years two active artists I was very well acquainted with, one oil painter and one printmaker, passed away in their 40s and 50s. One was a sudden heart attack, the other died from cancer. Another painter I know--one of my former professors, also in her 40s--had a stroke during the semester I was taking her class. Now I probably sound like I'm trying to scare people, but to be honest, this IS scary to me! As a painter and printmaker with a studio in my home, I try to be very conscientious about this sort of thing.

As for turpentine being the only good substance to dissolve Damar crystals, I think that's true...but that process is so nasty in itself that I don't think I ever want to make Damar varnish from scratch again! Thanks for your article.

Sarah

-- posted by celfydd

» GustavFan - Re: good article

Thanks Sarah for your encouraging post. I'm all about educating artists! Your examples add good reason to be careful while oil painting.

-- posted by GustavFan