The answer is YES, oils are toxic. So are watercolours and so are most 'proper' art materials. If they weren't you could use them as food colouring! Kindergarten paints are non-toxic i.e. edible. In oils it is the pigments which are toxic as well as the mediums and cleaning solvents. Most pigments in all sorts of paint are toxic to a greater or lesser degree, which is why you should never lick your paintbrush. That white stuff - above - is mildly toxic - it is calcium carbonate - i.e. chalk. … [Read more...]