By its very nature, oil colour is incompatible with water and dissolves only in turpentine, white spirit or low-odour thinners. Artists' oil colours are made by dispersing pigments in an oil medium to create a smooth, slow-drying paint.
The choice of oil mediums from the wide variety available depends on the surface and the finish required, and the working properties preferred during painting.
A low-odour alternative to turpentine, ideal when working in a confined space or for those artists who find turpentine too strong. Also used to clean palettes and brushes.