When it comes to creating breathtaking oil paintings, artists around the world seek materials that offer superior quality, vibrant colors, and a smooth, workable texture. Winsor & Newton is a name synonymous with excellence in the art materials industry and has been providing artists with paints for over 180 years. In this article, we’ll delve into the Winsor & Newton oil paint range, exploring what makes these paints a favourite among both amateur and professional artists.

A Legacy of Excellence

Founded in 1832 by chemist William Winsor and artist Henry Newton, Winsor & Newton has a rich history of innovation and dedication to the highest standards of quality. The company’s commitment to producing the finest art materials has made it a trusted brand for generations of artists.

The Winsor & Newton Oil Paint Range

Winsor & Newton offers four ranges of oil paints. Each range is designed to meet the diverse needs of artists at different levels of their creative journey. The four ranges are:

(1) Artists’ Oil Colour

(2) Winton Oil Colour

(3) Griffin Alkyd Fast Drying Oil Colour

(4) Artisan Water Mixable Oil Colour

Let’s explore each of these in more detail.

1. Artists’ Oil Colour

The Artists’ Oil Colour range is Winsor & Newton’s professional-grade oil paint, known for its exceptional pigment strength, permanence, and brilliance. Each colour in this range is meticulously crafted to ensure the highest concentration of pigment, providing colour intensity and longevity.

Pigment Load

The high pigment load in the Artists’ Oil Colour range means that the colors are rich, deep, and have a greater tinting range than the Winton range.

Texture

The buttery consistency of these paints allows for smooth and versatile application with a brush or a palette knife.

Drying Time

The paints dry at a consistent rate. This gives artists control over their work and allowing for effective layering and glazing techniques.

Colour Range

With over 130 colours to choose from, the Artists’ Oil Colour range offers an extensive palette. It includes traditional colours, modern hues, and unique shades. A large proportion of the range is made from single pigments which ensures clean, accurate mixing. The Introductory set is a great place to start for intermediate artists.

Permanence

For professional artists it is important that paintings last well beyond their lifetime. So that in decades to come, work is seen as it was intended it to be. This means that materials need to be lightfast (not fade from exposure to light) and permanent (not change over time).  The Artists’ Oil Colour range is tested for these qualities and have some of the best ratings (at least AA or A). You can be confident of the longevity of your painting.

2. Winton Oil Colour

The Winton Oil Colour range is designed for artists who require quality oil paints at an affordable price. This range is ideal for students, beginners, or artists working on large-scale projects where cost efficiency is important.

Pigment Quality

While the pigment load is slightly lower than the Artists’ range, Winton Oil Colours still offer vibrant and consistent colours.

Versatility

The Winton range has a more uniform consistency than Artists’ Oil Colour and is also slightly stiffer. They are easy to work with, suitable for a variety of techniques and styles and offer excellent retention of brush and palette knife marks.

Colour Range

With 55 colours available, the Winton range provides a broad selection of hues, ensuring artists have access to the essential colors they need. I recommend the Winton set of 10 x 37ml tubes for beginners.

Permanence

Wherever possible, the most permanent pigments have been selected for use and all have a good lightfast rating.

3. Griffin Alkyd Fast Drying Oil Colour

For artists who need quicker drying times without sacrificing the quality of traditional oil paints, the Griffin Alkyd Fast Drying Oil Colour range is the perfect solution. These paints offer the same rich colors and textures as traditional oils but with the added benefit of faster drying times.

Drying Time

If you are used to working with acrylics which dry in 10-20 minutes then Griffin Alkyd paints might be the range for you. They dry significantly faster than conventional oils. This makes them ideal for artists working under tight deadlines or those who enjoy working quickly. Colours remain workable for 4-8 hours and are touch dry in 18-24 hours. Drying times are also consistent across the range which removes the usual restrictions that come with conventional oils.

Durability

Alkyds are made from a naturally derived vegetable oil that is polymerized. The result is a resin-like product that, when mixed with a solvent, is very similar to traditional linseed oil. This means that these paints have a strong, flexible film that is less prone to cracking over time.

Colour Range

The Griffin range includes 48 vibrant colours, offering artists a comprehensive palette for their creative needs.

Consistency

Griffin paints are more fluid than traditional oil colour and they tend to have greater transparency.

4. Artisan Water Mixable Oil Colour

The Artisan Water Mixable Oil Colour range is a revolutionary line of oil paints that is thinned and cleaned up with water. It eliminates the need for harsh solvents. Perfect for artists who want to enjoy the benefits of oil painting while minimizing their exposure to chemicals.

Water Mixable

The key difference between Artisan and conventional oils is its ability to thin and clean up with water. Hazardous solvents are not necessary for Artisan and artists can enjoy a safer painting environment. It’s ideal for artists attending a local class, sharing a work space or home studios.

High Quality

Artisan paints maintain the same rich, vibrant colors and buttery consistency as traditional oils. The depth of colour, thick consistency, lightfastness, opacity/transparency, permanence and drying times are all comparable to conventional oils.

Environmental and Health Benefits

Artisan paints are safer for both the artist and the environment as there is no need to use solvents.

Colour Range

The Artisan range includes 40 colors, providing a well-rounded palette for artists to explore. The full range is available in 37ml tubes and series 1 colours also available in 200ml tubes. The Artisan set of 10 x 12ml tubes is worth checking out if you are a beginner.

A Oil Paint Range That Offers Options

Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting your artistic journey, the Winsor & Newton oil paint range offers something for everyone. From the premium Artists’ Oil Colour to the innovative Artisan Water Mixable Oil Colour, each range is crafted to meet the highest standards of quality and performance. With their commitment to quality, innovation, and sustainability, Winsor & Newton continues to be a trusted companion for artists around the world. Explore the rich, vibrant colors of their oil paints and bring your artistic visions to life with every brushstroke.