Best Artists' Paint Thinners & Solvents of 2025

"Right after purchasing this, I noticed someone selling mineral oil in a spray bottle, hoping it would remove oil-based printer inks. It didn't work, but Tusc & Pine works like a dream! I highly recommend it and even bought a backup bottle."

"For mixing my own medium for oil painting, this product works well for me. It allows me to customize them to fit my specific needs."

"I find this to be a great inexpensive oil thinner for oil painting. Unlike some mineral spirits, it does not have a strong smell."

"The bottle arrived very full and secure within its bag; I appreciate that the mineral spirits worked effectively and there was absolutely no leakage!"

"I decided to try this based on its description, and it did not disappoint. As someone who had never used oil paint before, it worked just as promised."

"I was surprised by the small amount I received. Please consider this before purchasing, as it's my fault for not realizing such a tiny quantity was available!"

"I've just started oil painting and this product is fantastic. It's not runny like liquin or linseed oil, and it blends seamlessly into the paint, making it easy to maneuver on the canvas. Plus, there are no harsh odors. The drying time is also impressively reduced!"

"As someone who paints in a small room shared with my husband, I was really struggling with the Gamsol solvent. I could smell it constantly, despite it being labeled as odorless. Thankfully, this gel is a game changer! It prevents smearing in later layers and makes for a much more pleasant painting experience."

"Words can't express how thrilled I am with this product. I initially tried Liquin, but it gave me terrible headaches even outdoors. With this solvent, I can finally paint indoors without any discomfort. It works perfectly with my W&N oil paints, and I've already ordered a second bottle!"

"I use this product for softening my colored pencil lines while card making. I'm pleasantly surprised at the results; I don’t have to be so perfect with my lines. It blends well and is a good size!"

"I added this solution to a Tim Holtz refillable marker for blending colored pencils, and it works like a charm. I've struggled with blending for a while, but now my coloring is smooth and has depth. This solution is truly a game changer for my scrapbook layouts and cards!"

"I was looking for a way to clean alabaster stone, and all the resources suggested mineral spirits. This was the smallest and cheapest option I found. After testing it, I’m thrilled to say the stain on my alabaster plate is gone! It worked perfectly without damaging my stone."

"As a retired artist, I found this product unbelievable. It’s effective and has no overpowering smell like turpentine."

"I'm always seeking safer alternatives. Terpenoid is perfect for my studio—no strong odors and great for cleaning my brushes."

"While I think this product is very good, I wish it were produced in India to make it more affordable."

"I was searching for a non-toxic painting option, and this is the best I've found. No headaches and it works well!"

"As someone sensitive to strong smells, this product is ideal for my small apartment. This whole brand is amazing!"

"I've had great success with this thinner. It’s the least scented and most effective I've ever used!"

"I purchased this product for my colored pencil work, and it meets my expectations. I always ensure to ventilate my work area, and I experienced no adverse effects with proper use. It's effective for artistic effects and cleaning brushes. I can recommend this product."

"I love that it's odorless. I use it to thin my finishing materials. The see-through bottle is handy, and I punched a small hole in the protective cover for easy dispensing. Everything works well when I need it."

"This product is great for cleaning oil paint off my brushes and comes in a generous size. However, I did notice that it leaks a bit when turned on its side."

"I've always found Winsor & Newton to deliver great quality at a reasonable price. Their medium smooths oil paintings beautifully without altering colors."

"I appreciate that this product is odorless and lasts a long time for the price. It's been a reliable choice in my art supplies."

"I ordered this medium for my new cutting boards, and after applying it correctly, they look fantastic. A little goes a long way, and I still have plenty left."

"I was looking for a gentler brush cleaner, and I found this! It works exceptionally well at cleaning paint. After using it, my brush felt conditioned and ready for blending. This product is on par with the best I've used, and I'm ditching my old solvents for this."

"I'm thrilled to have discovered Soythin. I've tried numerous other mild solvents, but they still gave me headaches. However, with this product, I painted for an hour and a half without any issues. I'm now a loyal customer!"

"This is the best product I've ever used for oil painting. It cleaned my brushes better than any other thinner I've tried!"

"I've been using this product for my oil paintings, and it's become my go-to even for plein air painting. It works as well as some odor-free solvents I've tried and cleans my brushes effectively."

"This is my top choice for cleaning up after oil painting! I struggled to find it in stores, but I found it online at a reasonable price. The scent is pleasant and it doesn’t linger in my house."

"As an oil painter, I prefer this thinner. It smells better, cleans my brushes more effectively, and even helps remove mastic from new wood floors without damage."