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The New Oil Painting: Your Essential Guide to Materials and Safe Practices
Here is everything you need to know about getting into oil painting—and maintaining a safe, solvent-free oil painting practice—in a slim, sophisticated guide.
Oil painting is an exciting and adventurous medium, but aspiring artists can feel daunted by complex setups and the thought of using harsh chemicals. All of that changes now. The New Oil Painting walks you step-by-step through oil painting fundamentals—which materials you actually need, how to mix paint, how to set up your painting space—and, most revolutionary of all, how to eliminate harmful solvents from your work and replace them with safe, effective substitutes. This instructional handbook is organized into chapters with helpful diagrams throughout illustrating various techniques and tools. Whether you're a true beginner or have been painting with oils for years, you will find that this book has everything you need to build a new, thriving, toxin-free practice.
• UNIQUE Not only does this book help aspiring artists build a repertoire of skills and materials, it also offers all artists, regardless of their experience levels, methods for eliminating solvents and other toxic substances from their oil painting practices. What was once a dangerous pastime is now a guilt-free, health-conscious, and rewarding activity. And using safe, nontoxic materials is better for the environment!
• LONG-TERM Good art instruction can deliver over a long period of time, and this handy guide is no exception. Along with being able to use this as an entryway into oil painting, you can also use it for reference or reread sections when you need a brushup.
• EXPERT AUTHOR WITH IMPRESSIVE Painter Kimberly Brooks was the founding arts editor at Huffington Post. As a painter, she exhibits her work frequently throughout the United States and was a featured artist with the National Endowment for the Arts. She has led oil painting workshops, and now she shares her vast knowledge of the subject in this accessible and comprehensive handbook.
Perfect
• Artists and art aspirants interested in exploring a new medium
• Experienced oil painters looking to eliminate solvents from their practices
• Painting students and teachers
Oil painting is an exciting and adventurous medium, but aspiring artists can feel daunted by complex setups and the thought of using harsh chemicals. All of that changes now. The New Oil Painting walks you step-by-step through oil painting fundamentals—which materials you actually need, how to mix paint, how to set up your painting space—and, most revolutionary of all, how to eliminate harmful solvents from your work and replace them with safe, effective substitutes. This instructional handbook is organized into chapters with helpful diagrams throughout illustrating various techniques and tools. Whether you're a true beginner or have been painting with oils for years, you will find that this book has everything you need to build a new, thriving, toxin-free practice.
• UNIQUE Not only does this book help aspiring artists build a repertoire of skills and materials, it also offers all artists, regardless of their experience levels, methods for eliminating solvents and other toxic substances from their oil painting practices. What was once a dangerous pastime is now a guilt-free, health-conscious, and rewarding activity. And using safe, nontoxic materials is better for the environment!
• LONG-TERM Good art instruction can deliver over a long period of time, and this handy guide is no exception. Along with being able to use this as an entryway into oil painting, you can also use it for reference or reread sections when you need a brushup.
• EXPERT AUTHOR WITH IMPRESSIVE Painter Kimberly Brooks was the founding arts editor at Huffington Post. As a painter, she exhibits her work frequently throughout the United States and was a featured artist with the National Endowment for the Arts. She has led oil painting workshops, and now she shares her vast knowledge of the subject in this accessible and comprehensive handbook.
Perfect
• Artists and art aspirants interested in exploring a new medium
• Experienced oil painters looking to eliminate solvents from their practices
• Painting students and teachers
- GenresArtNonfictionHow To
232 pages, Paperback
Published June 15, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
December 8, 2020
This book was a wonderful surprise! I expected it to be a quick glazing of terms and instructions on how to paint in the modern day with lots of the authors own works shown step by step and instead what I got was a stage by stage, thoroughly detailed instruction guide on how to begin painting! I should mention that it is also useful for those who have been painting and want to detoxify their studio practices. As a baker, I could compare this to the rarely seen, fully instructional guides to cooking that doesn't assume that everyone knows the difference between types of oils or eggs and which pan to use when. I left this reading excited by the thought of diving in to a new hobby and confident to go to the store and know what I was looking to purchase rather that just scanning the unknown. I loved that Kimberly Brooks kept this NON-TOXIC, what a welcome perspective and she describes her reasons for doing so compellingly in the book. She gives advice as well as options and I really like her style! At first, it took me a bit to get used to the almost hand written, journal style of the book with little doodles marking chapters and columns but just as I was getting into that vibe, boom.. she drops page after page of gorgeously staged photos of the simplest of materials (I mean how gorgeous is paint coming out of the tube) without fussing too much. This book publishes May 4th, 2021 and I recommend this brilliant book for the beginner or for anyone looking to modernize their practices!
Thank-you to NetGalley and Chronicle Books for an advanced copy to read and review. 🎨
Thank-you to NetGalley and Chronicle Books for an advanced copy to read and review. 🎨
December 20, 2020
This is an excellent guide for artists to use nontoxic, safe oil painting supplies. Brooks points out that many artists mistakenly believe that they need to use toxic cleaners, paints, thinners, etc. and it's completely untrue. The book is really designed for serious artists and there were times when the talk was over my head, but I appreciated the wealth of information.
I read a temporary digital ARC of this book for review.
I read a temporary digital ARC of this book for review.
December 1, 2021
Masterfully designed and pretty to look at. Lots of helpful hints, especially if you're looking to remove solvents from your tools of the trade. I didn't love how much the book recommended using disposables and purchasing from Amazon, but other than that, this is a wonderful resource for people looking to get into oil painting or learn more about what you need to get started and how to approach painting from start to finish.
November 25, 2020
As someone who enjoys oil painting, I thought that this book was instructive and interesting read. This book goes over the basics for oil painting, from brushes and canvas types to the paint and cleaning solvents you should (and shouldn't) use. It even goes over the best way to store your work, and talks about the importance of documentation! It is true that oil painting is much more complex than water-based acrylic, and it was great to have a quick crash-course to reintroduce all of this information to me. I thought it was an excellent book and am so thankful to NetGalley for the free ARC!! Thank you!
November 22, 2023
Great resource for oil paint without having to use solvents or turpentines, offers a ton of alternatives to them and other methods to thin or thicken paints. Delves into the history and chemistry of the paints as opposed to painting techniques or tips/tricks.
August 22, 2023
Excellent guide with one exception: the author doesn't go into enough detail regarding the safe (and importantly PRACTICAL) solution to the disposal of linseed-oil soaked rags (they may spontaneously combust in your garbage), though she professes that they are the best medium to use (the safest for your health, high durability, with minimal yellowing).
December 2, 2025
Good book overall. I really liked that the author included suggested sources for the materials she suggests and grouped by affordability. I wish there was a little more on actually painting. As a non-painter, this book felt targeted towards painters trying to ditch solvents.
January 6, 2021
Review ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the Publisher.
The New Oil Painting book has actually gotten me one step closer to taking actually using the oil paints I own to...paint with oils. Not to be glib, but as someone who studied art history, and who has a solid background in materials and studio/archive safety, oil painting intimidates the hell out of me. I have two small cats, I don't have a big studio to paint in with a good air vent system in place aside from "open my window," and I absolutely know too many stories about artists being poisoned from toxic materials, especially with regards to inhalation or exposure via the eyes. I'm not the only one - a friend of mine who got a BFA had a professor tell a horror story of knowing a woman who covered herself in blue paint for an art project, and then unsurprisingly got heavy metal poisoning. Now, I'm not saying I intended to ever coat myself in lead white oil paint, but the bottle of mineral spirits and paint thinner I *thought* I needed concerned me. Would I only be able to paint outside for short periods? How much flammability would I have to worry about? I had already begun looking into Gamblin's solvent free gel/fluid and the possibility of (very minute) use of Gamsol (Odorless mineral spirit). I've bought water-miscible oil paints as well as "regular" oil paint. But I still haven't taken the deep dive.
This book did a great job of laying out how to do away with thinner and solvent *entirely*. Kimberly Brooks explains in thoughtful, concrete ways how to avoid using toxic materials like turps (turpentine) and instead practice a safer, less dangerous method of oil painting. One that also A.) isn't married to the arguments of the 19th century about what the "old masters," did or didn't do, and B.) is not exceptionally complicated or inherently more expensive. I deeply appreciate the in-depth discussions of what certain components do, and how safe they are for use.
I've never taken an oil painting studio class - only gleaned best practices from internet resources, other books, and my academic studies. But this book does handily describe not only the "what" of safer, less toxic painting, but also the "how," it's done, step by step. The descriptions of cleaning brushes without using harsh chemicals were great. Things are broken down, and there are some minimalist diagrams/illustrations. My biggest complaints would necessarily be that there could certainly be much more in terms of photos and illustrations that would be useful. I'd certainly appreciate seeing more of them, since I suspect many of the ideal audience here are "visual learners." I also might have liked just a little more relating to palette set-up and color theory, but otherwise I found this book to overall be very helpful and hope to use what I learned from it soon. (Now if only I also new how to contain and best dispose of my watercolor "water"...)
The New Oil Painting book has actually gotten me one step closer to taking actually using the oil paints I own to...paint with oils. Not to be glib, but as someone who studied art history, and who has a solid background in materials and studio/archive safety, oil painting intimidates the hell out of me. I have two small cats, I don't have a big studio to paint in with a good air vent system in place aside from "open my window," and I absolutely know too many stories about artists being poisoned from toxic materials, especially with regards to inhalation or exposure via the eyes. I'm not the only one - a friend of mine who got a BFA had a professor tell a horror story of knowing a woman who covered herself in blue paint for an art project, and then unsurprisingly got heavy metal poisoning. Now, I'm not saying I intended to ever coat myself in lead white oil paint, but the bottle of mineral spirits and paint thinner I *thought* I needed concerned me. Would I only be able to paint outside for short periods? How much flammability would I have to worry about? I had already begun looking into Gamblin's solvent free gel/fluid and the possibility of (very minute) use of Gamsol (Odorless mineral spirit). I've bought water-miscible oil paints as well as "regular" oil paint. But I still haven't taken the deep dive.
This book did a great job of laying out how to do away with thinner and solvent *entirely*. Kimberly Brooks explains in thoughtful, concrete ways how to avoid using toxic materials like turps (turpentine) and instead practice a safer, less dangerous method of oil painting. One that also A.) isn't married to the arguments of the 19th century about what the "old masters," did or didn't do, and B.) is not exceptionally complicated or inherently more expensive. I deeply appreciate the in-depth discussions of what certain components do, and how safe they are for use.
I've never taken an oil painting studio class - only gleaned best practices from internet resources, other books, and my academic studies. But this book does handily describe not only the "what" of safer, less toxic painting, but also the "how," it's done, step by step. The descriptions of cleaning brushes without using harsh chemicals were great. Things are broken down, and there are some minimalist diagrams/illustrations. My biggest complaints would necessarily be that there could certainly be much more in terms of photos and illustrations that would be useful. I'd certainly appreciate seeing more of them, since I suspect many of the ideal audience here are "visual learners." I also might have liked just a little more relating to palette set-up and color theory, but otherwise I found this book to overall be very helpful and hope to use what I learned from it soon. (Now if only I also new how to contain and best dispose of my watercolor "water"...)
May 15, 2021
Originally posted on my blog: Nonstop Reader.
The New Oil Painting is a tutorial and instruction guide to safe and sustainable oil painting and studio practice by Kimberly Brooks. Due out 18th May 2021 from Chronicle Books, it's 176 pages and will be available in paperback and ebook formats.
This is a well written, layman accessible, clear and easy to understand treatise on studio safety, practice, and supplies for oil painting. I work in a medical lab around all kinds of caustic chemicals and solvents and lab safety is always a very high priority. It's amazing how many hobbyists and artists don't take chemical safety and waste disposal seriously.
The book has a logical layout, the introduction (how and why the information included is relevant and what to do about it) is followed by two main sections: first workspace and materials considerations, and the second covers techniques including some relevant tutorials on preparing canvases, laying down ground, and color mixing which will be learning opportunities for artists at all levels of experience. The author's voice throughout is calm and knowledgeable but not pedantic or preachy. She also includes commentary on her own working style and tips along the way (as well as some truly sobering cautionary commentary on the potential toxicity of traditional materials and solvents which she experienced for herself).
Five stars. This would make a great choice for library acquisition, maker's spaces, home and school studios and the like.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
The New Oil Painting is a tutorial and instruction guide to safe and sustainable oil painting and studio practice by Kimberly Brooks. Due out 18th May 2021 from Chronicle Books, it's 176 pages and will be available in paperback and ebook formats.
This is a well written, layman accessible, clear and easy to understand treatise on studio safety, practice, and supplies for oil painting. I work in a medical lab around all kinds of caustic chemicals and solvents and lab safety is always a very high priority. It's amazing how many hobbyists and artists don't take chemical safety and waste disposal seriously.
The book has a logical layout, the introduction (how and why the information included is relevant and what to do about it) is followed by two main sections: first workspace and materials considerations, and the second covers techniques including some relevant tutorials on preparing canvases, laying down ground, and color mixing which will be learning opportunities for artists at all levels of experience. The author's voice throughout is calm and knowledgeable but not pedantic or preachy. She also includes commentary on her own working style and tips along the way (as well as some truly sobering cautionary commentary on the potential toxicity of traditional materials and solvents which she experienced for herself).
Five stars. This would make a great choice for library acquisition, maker's spaces, home and school studios and the like.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
May 20, 2021
"The New Oil Painting" explains how you can do oil painting without needing harmful chemicals or solvents. Much of the book focused on supplies and materials rather than on painting techniques. The author explained how to thin colors, glaze, and clean brushes without needing harmful chemicals. She provided lists of where to find the supplies you need. She provided step-by-step instructions along with pictures showing the process of cleaning a brush, for example. She provided a lot of interesting information about how artists historically did these things before resins were added to paints, meaning solvents were then needed.
The author also discussed things like why you paint with fat over lean (and what that means), layering, and color mixing as well as briefly talking about storing paintings, painting the sides for display, varnishing paintings, and safety measures. If you're interested in oil painting but have been been deterred by concerns about harmful fumes and chemicals, then I'd recommend this very useful and informative book. However, a complete beginner to painting might feel at a loss on how to apply the information since the author assumed a certain amount of familiarity with painting.
I received an ebook review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.
The author also discussed things like why you paint with fat over lean (and what that means), layering, and color mixing as well as briefly talking about storing paintings, painting the sides for display, varnishing paintings, and safety measures. If you're interested in oil painting but have been been deterred by concerns about harmful fumes and chemicals, then I'd recommend this very useful and informative book. However, a complete beginner to painting might feel at a loss on how to apply the information since the author assumed a certain amount of familiarity with painting.
I received an ebook review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.
September 23, 2022
An excellent guide for anyone wanting to do oil painting while eliminating solvents from their practice entirely. The author explains in great detail her solvent-less practice, with materials and techniques explained and listed. She’s done the years of hard work and research and is generously sharing her expertise. An easy read, where any technical jargon is fully defined and explained in simple layman’s terms. A little history of the practice of oil painting along the way as well. An enjoyable, entertaining, and educational read with thorough, sound advice.
Very glad I read this book, as I’ve been misinformed by other instructors about the safety of solvents like Gamsol. Art instructors have a responsibility toward their students, especially when it comes to safe practices protecting your health and welfare. Grateful for this accurate and needed information. I’ll be creating a solvent-less practice in my studio.
Very glad I read this book, as I’ve been misinformed by other instructors about the safety of solvents like Gamsol. Art instructors have a responsibility toward their students, especially when it comes to safe practices protecting your health and welfare. Grateful for this accurate and needed information. I’ll be creating a solvent-less practice in my studio.
May 1, 2022
Refreshing…, a new look into oil painting without the solvents.
Linseed Oil has been my thinner and cleaner when using oil paints,
as the smell and texture of oil based solvents have irked my senses since high school,
now clean up with Citrus Essential Oils - found with surprize while making scented wax;
makes for a fresh lingering after smell.
So reading this book was about curious interest… what I found inside was -
and an excellent ‘here are some options’ for the novice, with
a refresher for the ‘not done that for years’.
The illustrations in this book are standard ‘stick man’ as this is not a ‘how to’ paint,
this book is about - oil paints, equipment + safety - during the using process,
an enjoyable read, thank you Kimberly Brooks :-)
Linseed Oil has been my thinner and cleaner when using oil paints,
as the smell and texture of oil based solvents have irked my senses since high school,
now clean up with Citrus Essential Oils - found with surprize while making scented wax;
makes for a fresh lingering after smell.
So reading this book was about curious interest… what I found inside was -
and an excellent ‘here are some options’ for the novice, with
a refresher for the ‘not done that for years’.
The illustrations in this book are standard ‘stick man’ as this is not a ‘how to’ paint,
this book is about - oil paints, equipment + safety - during the using process,
an enjoyable read, thank you Kimberly Brooks :-)
June 3, 2021
Oil painters must read
Even if you are comfortably grounded in your own practice, this book is an essential for the painter's library. Kimberly breaks down every element of oil painting in a manner both practically useful and complete, as well as delightfully engaging. Her degree in chemistry, together with her unparalleled generosity in sharing the fruits of her thirty year love affair with the joys and vagaries of painting with oil, come together here in a clear and readily accessible fashion. The thoughtful painter, particularly in oils, will find themselves returning often, seeking both technical information and the reassurance of her unique and encouraging style.
Even if you are comfortably grounded in your own practice, this book is an essential for the painter's library. Kimberly breaks down every element of oil painting in a manner both practically useful and complete, as well as delightfully engaging. Her degree in chemistry, together with her unparalleled generosity in sharing the fruits of her thirty year love affair with the joys and vagaries of painting with oil, come together here in a clear and readily accessible fashion. The thoughtful painter, particularly in oils, will find themselves returning often, seeking both technical information and the reassurance of her unique and encouraging style.
May 27, 2021
I'm very disapponted by this book. Yes it has very much useful information, specially on materials,, but very few colored images (only on 15 pages of 214). The rest is text, text, text, with very simple little symbols or objects in black (no color),, Painting is visual art, we need pictures, illustrations, give us colors please. This book reminds me of some 100 year old art instruction books, a lot of text, very few unexciting black and white images. They are too boring for the modern reader, so is this one, despite the good information it contains. Art needs excitement and inspiration,
June 2, 2021
I have stayed away from oil painting since college because of my concerns about all the toxic solvents that went along with the practice. Only recently have I started to discover artists sharing their non-toxic practices. And this is the first book I've seen on this topic for oil painting. This book has great advice on materials and workspace setup. But this could have been a better guidebook if more photos and clearer demonstrations were included... I don't think it's a beginner-friendly book.
July 23, 2023
This book brought some interesting approaches and tips to oil painting without solvents! For those interested in different painting approaches, Living Craft by Tad Spurgeon is a great free 500+ resource.
That said, I need to say that I find it quite contradictory to promote the use of lead white paint in a book about safe painting practices. Even if we are very careful, it is likely we still ingest some of our paint, and if not us, then definitely the people manufacturing lead paint who work with lead dust.
That said, I need to say that I find it quite contradictory to promote the use of lead white paint in a book about safe painting practices. Even if we are very careful, it is likely we still ingest some of our paint, and if not us, then definitely the people manufacturing lead paint who work with lead dust.
February 7, 2021
arc provided by netgalley for an honest review
this book is helpful for oil painter newbies but also those who are experienced with oil painting. It was very instructive and goes into detail both for basics and more advanced techniques. It was a nice review/recap for someone who has not dipped in oil painting for quite some time.
this book is helpful for oil painter newbies but also those who are experienced with oil painting. It was very instructive and goes into detail both for basics and more advanced techniques. It was a nice review/recap for someone who has not dipped in oil painting for quite some time.
March 14, 2024
This is a really great primer on oil painting materials, and I definitely recommend it to beginners especially.
I’ll be seriously cutting down on my solvent use, and this book has good info on how.
In a few places, the author states best practice opinion on gospel truth (canvas toning, I’m looking at you), so I’d say to take some things with a grain of salt.
I’ll be seriously cutting down on my solvent use, and this book has good info on how.
In a few places, the author states best practice opinion on gospel truth (canvas toning, I’m looking at you), so I’d say to take some things with a grain of salt.
February 15, 2021
This was a very technical book on painting supplies and mediums. It would be an excellent reference book for a new artist. Everything you need to know about what to buy and safety all in one book.
I recommend this book to new artists.
I received this book from Net Galley.
I recommend this book to new artists.
I received this book from Net Galley.
March 11, 2021
This is such a wonderful book for someone who is looking to begin oil painting. It discusses materials, and ways to help you out in order to make the best oil painting. It thinks of everything needed!!!!
January 5, 2022
The book talks about oil painting materials at an intermediate level between casual and scientific. It's an opinionated guide, with a particular approach by the author. I like the solvent-free approach and appreciated the concrete suggestions for alternatives.
February 27, 2022
This book is a game changer and I loved it. Absolutely fantastic tutorials and tips. I especially liked the section on how to paint without solvents. Some really great techniques in this book and i highly recommend it.
June 30, 2025
Really informative book. Just getting into oil painting it gave a really good breakdown of the fundamentals. I really enjoyed the history and science that was included on such a beautiful art form. Very well written. It's simple and comprehensive.
March 19, 2026
Wow, what a beautiful book about oil painting, with a persuasive message about solvents! I really enjoyed the histories of pigments and the nuance that Brooks brought to the exploration of the medium. Will be keeping this on my Art desk for reference. And it’s so pretty— really nice to display.
March 23, 2022
if you only read one oil painting book, make it this one
June 27, 2022
This book is a bit less useful than anticipated; it does cover the bare essentials, but some older books might do the job just as well. (Perhaps some of those mentioned in the reference section.)
December 19, 2022
i wish i could’ve read this when i first started oil painting
November 4, 2023
Worst book I’ve ever read! Don’t waste your money on this sh*t! I will pay you to stay home and quit writing!
November 5, 2023
Worst book ever like seriously
November 5, 2023
This is the worst book I’ve ever read in my entire life. Disgusting!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews