Painting safety

Speaking of bad chemical reactions, we shouldn't just worry about bad interactions between primer/paint/sealer on our models. We should be equally concerned with what some of those agents might do to us.

The problem isn't typically the paint itself. Lynn Cassels-Caldwell explains: Oil paints are made from pigments plus plant derived natural linseed or walnut oil.  Acrylics are made from the same pigments plus acrylic polymer emulsions. Watercolors are made from the same pigments plus gum arabic. It's not advisable to ever eat any kind of paint. Some pigments can be harmful, but it's easy to avoid them by buying a modern substitute. Additionally, artist's paint manufacturers must comply with existing safety standards for all of their paint products.

The real problem is solvents. These include: turpentine, varsol, odourless paint thinner, all other paint thinners, white spirits, mineral spirits. They all release volatile compounds into the air that are harmful to health.

The solution is DON'T USE SOLVENTS EVER. Brushes can be rinsed when changing colours with plain linseed or walnut oil, and at the end of the day, cleaned with plain soap and water.

In her oil painting workshops, Heather Bullach recommends Murphy's Oil Soap for cleaning brushes. Like linseed or walnut oils, it is effective and much safer than solvents.

Of course, if you're working with loose pigments or using any kind of aerosol spray, it's time to break out the PPE.

photo by Hanna Wikborg

Typically, this consists of a respirator and gloves, but some careful - and smart - hobbyists take it a step further.

photo by Karin Hullatti

Hanna Vikborg writes: I have a white painter/lab coat so dust and paint don't get on my clothes. A black plastic apron too. Safety glasses, nitrile gloves, breathing mask with filter for dust and chemicals. The gear is used for 3d Printing, sanding the plastic prints and spray painting with airbrush. Better extra safe than sorry. I don't mind looking a little funny.

photo by Hanna Vikborg

Britani Gohl adds: I got sick of throwing away so many disposable gloves so I went and dug out a dish glove. Works great!

photo by Britani Gohl

I know this probably feels like overkill to a lot of people, but after having a truly scary reaction to chemicals - not painting related - just last week, I can not emphasize enough how important this is.

photo by Sierrah Lanahan

Wear your mask.

photo by Katie Breneman

Wear your gloves.

photo by Beatrice Rudolph

Paint your ponies, but please, take care of your body!