By The ARTnews Recommends Editors

Whether you’re a beginning oil painter just building your tool kit or a seasoned professional beefing up your arsenal, a good oil solvent is a must-have. Oil solvent “solves” a multitude of problems. It speeds up the drying process and thins paint. It can clean and recondition brushes, and you can use it to wipe down your workspace. In short, this versatile solution is a valuable tool for any oil painting practitioner. Browse our selection of the best oil solvents below to find the best product to suit your needs.

Gamsol is an excellent solvent for thinning oil paints and other media and is available in 32-ounce and 1-liter bottles. This odorless, nontoxic solvent is safer than turpentine both for painters and for the environment. The clear fluid won’t alter the integrity of media and oil paints it’s mixed with.

Turpentine is the traditional oil solvent choice. Turpenoid is turpentine’s odor-free substitute. This 1-quart bottle of turpenoid is an ideal solvent for both thinning oils and varnishes and for cleaning brushes efficiently.

Keeping students safe is a teacher’s number one priority. Do your students (and yourself) a favor and pick up Real Milk Paint’s 32-ounce bottle of Citrus Solvent. This solution, made of 98 percent citrus peel oil and 2 percent water, is a safe alternative to turpentine and its fumes. This solvent is an excellent degreaser, paint thinner, and substitute for mineral spirit solutions. Though it’s derived from orange peels, Real Milk Paint’s product comes out clear and won’t discolor original paint or ground colors.

Go for a classic and grab a 75-milliliter bottle of Winsor & Newton’s distilled turpentine. Perfect for both thinning paint and for cleaning, this turpentine won’t disappoint.

Chelsea Classical Studio offers a natural choice that’s much safer to use than turpentine. It thins oil painting media, resins, and varnishes. The best part? This oil essence smells of lavender.

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