12 best manufacturers of artistic oil paints

Update date: 09.11.2020 14:30:45 3518 Share:

Author: Irina Rostova

*Review of the best according to the editors of simplerule.ru. About the selection criteria. This material is subjective in nature, does not constitute advertising and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before purchasing, consultation with a specialist is required.

Artistic oil paints offer unlimited possibilities in painting. With their help, it is possible to convey incredible depth of the image and any, even the most complex shades. However, you can get an impeccable result only with the right choice of material. To avoid mistakes, see the rating of the best manufacturers offering high-quality, durable and easy-to-use oil paints.

How to choose quality oil paints?

The first thing you need to pay attention to when choosing is the oil used for production. We recommend choosing artistic oil paints with linseed, sunflower, walnut or hemp oil. They provide high color fastness and therefore do not turn yellow over time.

Other selection criteria that we recommend taking into account:

1. Manufacturer.

   Basically, imported brands offer materials for professional artists (Winsor & Newton, Pebeo, etc.). Russian manufacturers are more often focused on beginning craftsmen.

2. Format.

   All manufacturers produce materials individually (in sealed tubes of different volumes) and entire sets. Full series are often cheaper, but many shades may be unnecessary.

3. Light fastness.

   The durability of the color, and therefore the entire work, depends on it. Resistance to light is marked with asterisks (less often with plus signs). The more there are, the higher the light resistance. We recommend paints with 2-3 stars.

4. TOburrowing properties.

   They indicate whether the material will cover the canvas well. Covering power is marked with squares. A white square indicates that the paint is completely transparent, a half-painted one indicates that it is a translucent material, and a black square is on paints with high opacity properties.

A few words about the importance of choosing the right oil

At first glance, it seems that all oil paints are the same, because they are packaged in tubes, so choosing a product of the right quality and shade is quite difficult. To prevent all paints from looking the same, special markings are applied to the packaging; using this marking you can determine the characteristics of the oil without opening the tube.

The two main parameters for choosing oil paints are light fastness and hiding power .

Light resistance is marked with a “*” sign on domestic products and a “+” sign on products of European brands. The rule is simple - the more characters, the better the light fastness; accordingly, the picture will retain the saturation and richness of colors for a long time.

• Craftsmen practically do not use coloring compounds with one “*”, since their service life is minimal - in practice it turns out that the colors fade over the course of a year. The optimal use of such paints is sketches.
• Compositions with two “*” have average light fastness. They are used for sketches and paintings. Oil service life is at least 25 years.
• Oil with three “*” has excellent resistance to light and ultraviolet radiation. It is believed that a canvas painted with such compositions will delight with its rich colors for more than a hundred years.

For whitewash, a similar marking is used, it means the following: one “*” - turns yellow quickly and significantly, two “*” - medium yellowing, three “*” - remains white and does not turn yellow.

Now let's talk about the covering ability of the oil - this parameter is also shown on the packaging as a square:

• black square – maximum coverage;
• a two-color square - black and white - this is how a translucent coloring composition is marked;
• white square – transparent paint, suitable for glazing.

Also carefully study the composition of the oil. To produce a high-quality, highly artistic product, natural oils are used. Less expensive studio paints are made from refined linseed or polymerized oil.

Another important selection criterion is the name of the shade and the pigment used. Most often, the qualitative characteristics of the dye are designated: “imitation”, “azo”, “color”. On tubes of European paints, the markings “azo” or “hue” are used, this is how they designate studio paint, which is produced with analogues of cobalt-cadmium series dyes.

Rating of the best manufacturers of artistic oil paints

The best manufacturers of oil paints for professionals

Winsor & Newton

Rating: 5.0

The first place in the ranking is occupied by artistic oil paints from Winsor & Newton (England). They are made from the best raw materials, so they give beautiful pure colors. All shades are easily mixed with each other. The main advantage is the rich palette, including 120 shades. They are saturated and have high hiding power, so they completely cover the surface.

Judging by the reviews, they are very convenient to work with. However, only imported thinners are suitable for their use. The main advantages include durability and lightfastness of colors. According to information from the manufacturer, they remain in their original form for more than 200 years. The materials are available in separate tubes of different sizes or sets (for example, GALERIA).

Advantages

1. Different formats;
2. Wide palette;
3. Rich shades;
4. High hiding power;
5. Affordable price.

Flaws

1. Requires the use of only imported thinners.

Lefranc & Bourgeois

Rating: 4.9

The main advantage of Lefranc & Bourgeois (France) artistic oil paints is their finely dispersed high-quality pigments. They provide light fastness and color intensity and also contain mineral and organic particles. Paints are available in the Lefranc and Louvre series for painting in different formats. Range

Reviews say that the paints of this brand are easily compatible with each other. It’s convenient that you can adjust their consistency, adding depth, transparency and shine. They are available in different volumes: tubes of 20 ml, 40 ml, 60 ml and even 250 ml. They fit correctly on the canvas, dry quickly, and are compatible with different surfaces. A versatile choice at an affordable price.

Advantages

1. High-quality pigmentation;
2. Various volumes to choose from;
3. Lightfastness;
4. Comfortable consistency;
5. Versatility.

Flaws

1. Not found.

Daler-Rowney

Rating: 4.8

Soft velvety consistency and high quality pigment are the main features of Daler-Rowney (England) artistic oil paints. They have maximum light resistance because they contain refined linseed oil. Universal, therefore suitable for all working techniques. The drying time of the paint layer is 4-5 days.

The entire color palette of the brand is perfectly balanced. It includes different shades, including transparent and opaque. Many of them are single-pigment, so they allow you to get the purest color possible. Available in individual tubes (37 ml) and whole sets. Easily squeezed out and quickly mixed on the palette.

Advantages

1. High quality;
2. Lightfastness;
3. Ease of mixing;
4. Maximum purity;
5. Soft consistency.

Flaws

1. Long drying time.

Pebeo

Rating: 4.7

We added the Pebeo (France) brand to the rating because it offers highly artistic paints with maximum color purity and uniform texture. Particularly popular is the Fragonard line, made using natural linseed oil and characterized by good light resistance.

Reviews say that they dry quickly and apply evenly to the surface. They allow you to get a shade of any intensity: from pale to the most saturated. The density and relief of the image can be easily changed. It’s convenient that after drying you don’t have to cover the work with varnish. Available tube sizes: 12 ml, 20 ml and 37 ml. You can order sets of 10, 12 and 20 pcs.

Advantages

1. Quick drying;
2. Each tube is hermetically sealed;
3. Ease of use;
4. Uniform application;
5. Uniform texture.

Flaws

1. Not found.

Maimeri

Rating: 4.6

The main feature of Maimeri artistic oil paints (Italy) is that they do not turn yellow when dry. All brand products are intended for professional artists, are of high quality and are produced in different series. For example, the ARTISTI series offers more than 100 pure shades with fine texture, as well as thinner and synthetic brushes.

Sets from this Italian manufacturer are in great demand because they are produced in original cases made of natural wood. However, their cost is very high, so not every artist can afford to work with this material. Individual tubes are available in different sizes: 15 ml, 20 ml and 60 ml, and 500 ml cans are also sold.

Advantages

1. Various volumes;
2. Original Series;
3. Fine, uniform textures;
4. High quality pigment;
5. Thick consistency.

Flaws

1. High price.

Royal Talens

Rating: 4.5

We added Royal Talens (Holland) brand products to the rating because they contain the purest pigments and are developed using an innovative formula. This ensures high purity colors as well as maximum durability and light fastness. An excellent choice for professional artists.

Reviews say that the tubes from this manufacturer are very good and durable, and the lid closes perfectly. All colors mix easily and predictably with each other, lie softly on the canvas, and are therefore pleasant to use. The consistency is medium, so you can work without using a solvent. When dried, the result does not change.

Advantages

1. Good saturation;
2. Convenient caps;
3. ASTM D4236 Safety Certificate;
4. Durability;
5. There is almost no specific smell during operation.

Flaws

1. Pigmentation is below average;
2. High price.

Ferrario

Rating: 4.4

If you are looking for paints with a good price-quality ratio, we recommend products from the Ferrario brand (Italy). They are made using natural and synthetic pigments. They have good light and heat resistance. They dry quickly, but do not turn yellow or fade, since modern technologies are used for their production.

Suitable for working with different surfaces. Judging by the reviews, many people use canvas, cardboard, natural wood, particle board (chipboard), etc. A big plus of the material is its elasticity. This reduces the likelihood of cracking of the paint film and allows you to safely transport paintings without worrying about their safety.

Advantages

1. Various series;
2. Universal tubes of 60 and 150 ml;
3. Elasticity;
4. Fast drying.

Flaws

1. Some shades are not highly saturated.

Schmincke

Rating: 4.3

The legendary brand Schmincke (Germany) produces several series of oil paints. Particularly popular is the Mussini line, which includes 108 shades and is made on the basis of Mussini resin. This ensures excellent miscibility of materials, and also guarantees their light and heat resistance. They are durable and do not change after complete drying.

All series from this manufacturer are distinguished by consistently high quality and uniform textures. They are made from finely dispersed pigments and natural oils. They have increased shine and clear tone. Other series from the German manufacturer that we recommend to professional artists: Norma Professional and Akademie Oil Color.

Advantages

1. Fine pigmentation;
2. Various series for professionals;
3. Increased shine;
4. Durability;
5. Heat resistance.

Flaws

1. High price.

Da Vinci

Rating: 4.2

The main advantage of ultra-fine oil paints Da Vinci (Germany) is maximum light resistance. We added them to the rating because they dry very quickly (1.5-3 days) and retain their original shade even after a long period of time. Ideal for use with a palette knife.

Many people write that these are the most convenient paints. They have a uniform texture, so they lie evenly on any surface. Available in sealed tubes (35 ml) individually and in sets. Together with them, we recommend that you immediately buy synthetic brushes from this brand, which are very popular among artists from all over the world.

Advantages

1. Quick drying;
2. Bright natural pigment;
3. Accurate and uniform application;
4. Working with different surfaces.

Flaws

1. High price.

Oil paint testing

Comparison of oil paints Master Class, Ladoga, Daler Rowney, Maimery Classico. Today in the Art Quarter there is a fairly large selection of paints from different manufacturers, and of course, they behave differently in work. Oil paints Ladoga Paints are very popular among professionals and amateurs due to their availability. The palette includes 54 colors, of which 19 colors are made using analog pigment. Typically, the cost of certain paint colors depends on the pigment used to make them. Traditionally, cadmium and cobalt pigments are considered the most expensive and difficult to obtain, so they are replaced with analogues and are designated on the tube with the letter “A”. These paints mix well with each other and have a thick consistency, which is convenient when working with a palette knife. But they also have a number of disadvantages: all analog pigments have lower light fastness (** or *), which affects the durability of the work. And when mixing 3 or more colors they give dirtier shades. Buyer's opinion. Victor Cheremukhin (artist-teacher): “I tried your ETUDE paints and bought a set of Sennelier “ETUDE” oil paints. I am very pleased with the quality and plasticity of the paints. It’s a pleasure to work with them, thank you very much for the opportunity to try and find your own!” Oil paints Master Class The brand chosen by many professionals. The palette includes 84 colors, 83 of which are made from natural pigment and have fairly good light fastness. The paints mix well with each other and give fairly clean mixtures. They have a thick consistency and are suitable for working with a palette knife. Buyer's opinion. Lyudmila Ivanova (amateur): “I use Ladoga paints.” Sometimes I'm happy, sometimes I'm not. It happens that the tube is full of some kind of liquid that has separated from the oil, and sometimes the tube is so oak that it can only be used to hammer nails. I tried your colors. I liked “Etude”: how they behave and the price is nice. I’ll buy it for myself as a gift.” Oil paints Daler Rowney “Georgian” The English brand is not widely represented in Russia, but it has long been loved by our artists: both professionals and amateurs. The palette has 54 colors, which include several types of white, as well as interesting colors that are not available from domestic manufacturers. The peculiarity of this paint is its creamy consistency and increased pigment content in comparison with domestic manufacturers. The paints have a good price-quality ratio, one price for all colors and a larger tube of 75 ml. They have good light fastness, produce clean mixtures and are well distributed over the surface due to more thorough grinding of the pigments. Ideal for glazes, and at the same time easily thickened with the help of mediums. It is convenient to choose colors according to the palette, so a closed tube is not a disadvantage in this case. Buyer's opinion. Yulia Sinyavina (regular customer of Art-Kvartal on 2nd Sovetskaya): “They have such a pleasant texture and mix perfectly. I advise you to try it, everything will become clear right away. Then you don’t even want to buy others!” Oil paints Maimery "Classico" This is a well-known Italian brand, which is preferred by many professional artists. The palette has 77 colors, including several types of white and unique colors not offered by other manufacturers, for example, 2 shades of gold and silver. They are made with the addition of safflower oil, which adds light resistance to light tones of paint. They have a high concentration of pigment, which makes them quite economical to use. They have good light fastness, produce clean mixtures and are well distributed over the surface. The paints have an optimal price-quality ratio, the same price for all colors in a large-volume tube - 60 ml. Well suited for both glazing and palette knife work. Opinions of buyers Ivan Berkutov (professional artist): “I bought red paint “Ladoga” when I was still starting to paint, and it pours out of the tube, half the cost of the paint has already poured out. And I tried the same Italian one from you, so you can feel the difference right away. I spent money once, but I finished the whole picture and still have some left.” Elena Voznesenskaya (high school teacher): “I like the oil paint “Classico” from the MAIMERI brand, Italy. You have a large assortment of them, and they mix well, do not fade, and have good plasticity. I’ve been writing with them for a long time, but then I had the chance to compare them with others - my opinion hasn’t changed!” Ekaterina Ivanovna Selezneva (university teacher): “These “Classico” are simply super, there is so much pigment that you use the paint very sparingly, they are bright, lively and... expensive...”

Best Inexpensive Oil Paint Makers for Beginners

Master Class

Rating: 5.0

(Russia) produces good quality paints. Part of the palette is represented by shades with organic pigmentation, so their main advantage is high light resistance. The basis of a number of colors is natural linseed oil, which prevents them from yellowing. Good for hobbies, learning and sketching.

Many are mono-pigments, thanks to which it is possible to obtain a pure and long-lasting shade. They mix well and do not require the painting to be coated with varnish after completion of the work. Available in individual tubes of 46 ml, as well as in sets of 6, 8 and 12 pcs. Conveniently, they can be used for restoration work.

Advantages

1. You can get any shades;
2. Suitable for basic and restoration work;
3. Wide palette;
4. Do not change when dried;
5. They have no smell.

Flaws

1. Do not mix with materials from other manufacturers;
2. Some are too thick.

Nevskaya Palitra

Rating: 4.9

If you are looking for inexpensive paints that do not fade over time, we recommend products from (Russia). Despite the affordable price, they have rich and beautiful shades. Available in convenient packaging: individual tubes or in sets. The most popular series is “Ladoga”, the palette of which includes more than 50 shades.

An excellent choice for beginner artists who are learning and want to choose an inexpensive material to start with. As for the disadvantages, one of them is an unpleasant specific smell, so we recommend working only in a well-ventilated area.

Advantages

1. Easy to work with;
2. Dries quickly;
3. Wide palette;
4. Various series, including the popular in Russia “Ladoga” and “Sonnet”.

Flaws

1. Low light fastness;
2. Strong unpleasant odor;
3. Poor mixability.

Gamma

Rating: 4.8

The rating is completed by products from (Russia). It is presented in tubes and sets of three series: “Studio”, “Moscow Palette” and “Old Master”. The former are among the most popular in Russia because they imitate the cadmium-cobalt group of pigments and are environmentally friendly.

Reviews say that they dry quickly and do not crack. However, some fade and even fade after a few years. A good choice for beginning artists. They help you study strokes, master the basic rules of combining and selecting shades. They have medium coverage, so they do not cover the surface from the first application.

Advantages

1. Fit well;
2. Affordable price;
3. Do not crack over time.