Turpentine or ‘turps’ is the traditional solvent used in oil painting. It is based on tree resin and has a fast evaporation rate, releasing harmful vapours. It can be absorbed through the skin. Artists should use only artist-quality turpentine, as the industrial variety found in hardware stores probably contains impurities; it should be colourless, like [...]
Turpentine or ‘turps’ is the traditional solvent used in oil painting. It is based on tree resin and has a fast evaporation rate, releasing harmful vapours. It can be absorbed through the skin. Artists should use only artist-quality turpentine, as the industrial variety found in hardware stores probably contains impurities; it should be colourless, like water. Also known as spirit of turpentine, oil of turpentine, genuine turpentine, English turpentine, distilled turpentine, or double rectified turpentine.