Rublev Oil Paint Medium Safflower Oil - 16 fl oz is a pale, low-odour drying oil for artists who want a binder that yellows less than linseed oil when making whites and light colours. This safflower oil is expeller-pressed from high-linoleic safflower seeds (Carthamus tinctorius) grown in North America and then lightly refined to a clear, straw-coloured oil that is odorless in use.

Safflower oil is primarily linoleic acid (C18:2), with high-linoleic safflower oil typically over 70% linoleic acid, which contributes to its lower yellowing compared to linseed oil. In paint making, it is commonly used by manufacturers for pale oil colours and whites where colour cleanliness matters. It also tends to give oil colour pastes a pleasing texture and dries faster than poppy seed oil.

Safflower oil is best used as a paint binder and paint-making oil for light colours rather than a universal replacement for linseed oil in all situations. Like other low-linolenic oils (poppy, sunflower, safflower), some artists consider it a weaker binder than linseed, so it is typically reserved for whites and delicate tints where reduced yellowing is the priority.

Key features

• Expeller-pressed, lightly refined high-linoleic safflower oil

• Clear, pale yellow and low odour

• Yellows less than linseed oil, ideal for whites and pale colours

• Dries faster than poppy seed oil

• Smooths and improves texture when making oil colour paste

• Size: 16 fl oz

Key details

• Natural source: Carthamus tinctorius

• CAS: 8001-23-8

• Typical fatty acids: linoleic 74.5%, linolenic 0.1%, oleic 14.8%

• Conforms to ASTM D-4236