🎨 Sansodor by Winsor & Newton: A Low-Odour Alternative for Oil Painters
For many oil painters, the joy of working with traditional media can sometimes be dampened by the harsh fumes of turpentine and mineral spirits. If you've ever found yourself getting a headache or needing to ventilate your studio constantly, you're not alone. That’s where Sansodor by Winsor & Newton comes in—a low-odour solvent that offers a cleaner, more comfortable painting experience without sacrificing performance.
In this blog post, we’ll dive into what Sansodor is, how it’s used, its advantages and disadvantages, and why it might be the right choice for your oil painting practice.
🎨 What Is Sansodor?
Sansodor is a low-odour solvent produced by Winsor & Newton, specifically designed for use in oil painting. It serves as a turpentine substitute, used for:
- Thinning oil paints
- Cleaning brushes and tools
- Mixing with mediums
Sansodor is part of Winsor & Newton’s commitment to making studio work safer and more accessible, especially for artists who work in small or poorly ventilated spaces.
🧪 How Is Sansodor Used?
Sansodor can be used in a similar way to traditional solvents:
1. Thinning Paints
Mix Sansodor with your oil paint directly on your palette to adjust viscosity and transparency, particularly useful for underpainting or glazing.
2. Cleaning Brushes
Use Sansodor to clean oil paint from brushes during and after a painting session. It’s effective at breaking down oil, yet gentler on bristles than harsher spirits.
3. Creating Mediums
It can be mixed with oils and resins (like linseed oil or alkyd mediums) to customise drying times, finishes, and fluidity.
✅ Benefits of Using Sansodor
✔ Low Odour
The most obvious benefit—Sansodor is far less pungent than turpentine or white spirit. Ideal for artists working in home studios, classrooms, or shared spaces.
✔ Slow Evaporation
Sansodor evaporates more slowly than turpentine, which means longer working time, particularly useful for blending and layering techniques.
✔ Gentle on Brushes
Its milder chemical composition means less wear and tear on your brushes over time, extending their lifespan.
✔ Compatible with Traditional Techniques
Despite being a modern formulation, Sansodor works well with traditional oil painting techniques.
✔ Safe for Indoor Use
While still a chemical solvent (and should be used with care), its low volatility makes it safer for indoor or enclosed studio environments when proper ventilation isn’t always possible.
⚠️ Potential Drawbacks
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❌ |
Considerations |
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Still Toxic if Inhaled/Swallowed |
Despite being low-odour, Sansodor is still a solvent and should be used with good ventilation. Always cap tightly and keep away from children and pets. |
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Slower Drying Time |
The slower evaporation rate can be a con for those who prefer faster-drying solvents or quicker layering. |
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Not Suitable for Natural Resin Varnishes |
Sansodor should not be used for dissolving natural resins like damar—it doesn't have the strength of traditional turpentine. |
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More Expensive Than White Spirit |
While cheaper than artist-grade turpentine, Sansodor is more expensive than hardware-store alternatives like white spirit. |
🧑🎨 Who Is Sansodor Best For?
- Home studio artists
- Art students and beginners
- Artists with sensitivity to strong smells
- Those working in shared spaces or low-ventilation areas
Whether you're just starting out or a seasoned oil painter seeking more comfort, Sansodor is a reliable and professional-grade choice.
🛠 Pro Tip: Store & Dispose Safely
Always use Sansodor in a well-ventilated area. Store it in a sealed container and never pour used solvent down the sink. Dispose of it through your local hazardous waste program or recycling centre that accepts solvents.
🖌 Final Thoughts
Sansodor offers a fantastic balance between performance and comfort, especially for artists seeking a low-odour alternative without compromising their oil painting techniques. It may not fully replace traditional turpentine in every case, but for everyday use and safer studios, it’s an excellent addition to your toolkit.
Have you used Sansodor in your studio? Let us know your experience in the comments below!