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Oil paint is a timeless, versatile medium that’s captivated the imaginations of artists for centuries.
Whilst it’s an undeniably rewarding experience, oil painting for beginners can be daunting. Beyond simply how to use oil paints, it can be difficult to know just where to start.
So, join us as we discuss different oil paints, what makes them so special & how they’ll benefit you on your new creative journey in this easy-to-follow guide!
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Artist vs Student
Artist quality oils are higher quality & therefore more expensive, containing a higher pigment to oil ratio. Usually priced by Series, these number 1-9 & refer to the use of a genuine, expensive pigment within said colour.
Student oil paints are produced using a lower pigment ratio, normally substituting this for additional binder. Still able to produce beautiful colours, they employ synthetic pigments to create “Hues” that approximate the colours found in more expensive ranges.
Traditional
Requiring solvents to thin, traditional oil paints are made using a combination of pigments, oils & binders and are generally what people imagine when thinking “oil colours”.
Water-Mixable
Able to be thinned using water, these special oil paints allow you to avoid the harsh solvents required by traditional oils without sacrificing tonal richness or colour depth. An ideal low odour option for working in small or poorly ventilated spaces.
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Of course, the beginning of any oil painting journey requires... oil paints.
Having been so popular for centuries, it's easy to be overwhelmed by the sheer variety available out there, so we've put together several quick recommendations to help you get started.
Georgian Oils
Featuring 56 colours traditionally crafted using carefully selected organic pigments, the Georgian Oil range from Daler-Rowney is an accessible, budget-friendly option for anyone. Surface dry in 4-7 days, each batch is triple-milled & individually checked to ensure a consistent, smooth application ideal for a variety of techniques including impasto applications.
Available both individually & in a variety of sets, including a Water-Mixable option.
COLLEGE Oils
The COLLEGE Oil Colour range from Schmincke offers a selection of 24 colours, featuring both semi-opaque/opaque & semi-transparent/transparent options.
Ideal for working on large projects without sacrificing quality or vibrancy, they’re made using a unique combination of artists' pigments & natural plant oils. Offering increased durability, intensity & lightfastness, their signature “buttery” smooth consistency retains strokes & textures from brushes or palette knives.
Available individually or in a specially selected set of colours.
Winton Oils
From Winsor & Newton, the Winton Oil Colour range features over 50 individual lightfast, permanent colours ideal for general use.
Able to deliver consistency every time, their ready-to-use formula contains a higher pigment load than most other artists' ranges for excellent colour intensity & stability. Their stiff, uniform consistency can easily retain brush & knife strokes & allows you to work effortlessly at any scale.
Available individually in both 37ml & 200ml options, along with a specially curated set of handpicked colours.
Artisan Oils
This specially formulated water-mixable range from Winsor & Newton includes 40 individual colours made using modified linseed & safflower oil.
They retain the characteristics of traditional oils including colour, consistency, lightfastness, opacity, permanence & drying times whilst avoiding the need for potentially hazardous solvents.
Available individually in both 37ml & 200ml options.
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Once you’re more comfortable with oils, artist-quality ranges such as the Handmade Oil Colour range from Michael Harding or Winsor & Newton’s Artists’ Oil Colours are always worth exploring.
For more, feel free to browse our full range of oil paints or check out our previous blog posts on the subject such as “Let’s Talk Oil Mediums” or “The Best Brushes for Oil Painting”.
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