Best Oil Paint Brands: Top Choices for Artists

Best Oil Paint Brands: Top Choices for Artists

Oil painting is one of the most revered art forms, and selecting the best oil paint brand is crucial for achieving high-quality results. With so many options available, it’s essential to understand the differences between professional-grade and student-grade oil paints, as well as factors like pigment quality, consistency, and lightfastness. In this guide, we’ll explore the top oil paint brands, their advantages, and how to choose the best option for your artistic needs.

An explanation of ASTM codes, helping artists identify oil paint transparency levels and lightfastness ratings.

1. Understanding Oil Paint Grades: Student vs. Professional

1.1. Student-Grade vs. Artist-Grade Oil Paints

Oil paints are available in two primary grades:

• Student-grade oil paints: More affordable but contain lower pigment concentration and more fillers, resulting in weaker color intensity and lower lightfastness.
• Professional (Artist-grade) oil paints: High pigment concentration, better lightfastness, richer texture, and smoother blending capabilities.

1.2. When to Use Student-Grade or Professional-Grade Paints

• Beginners: Student-grade oil paints are ideal for practice and experimentation.
• Advanced artists: Professional-grade paints offer superior quality, making them ideal for final artworks and commissions.

A close-up of Gamblin Professional Alizarin Crimson oil paint, highlighting its rich color and blending capabilities.

2. Best Oil Paint Brands for Every Artist

2.1. Best Professional Oil Paint Brands

These top oil paint brands are highly rated for their rich pigments, smooth texture, and superior durability:

• Michael Harding – Handmade oil paints known for their unmatched pigment purity and buttery consistency.
• Vasari – One of the most premium and highly pigmented oil paints, favored by realism painters.
• Williamsburg – Excellent color vibrancy and thick consistency, ideal for artists who enjoy texture.
• Gamblin – A great balance of professional quality and affordability, offering environmentally friendly alternatives.
• Old Holland – One of the oldest oil paint manufacturers, known for extreme pigment load and long-lasting colors.

A comprehensive color chart displaying the Gamblin 1980 Oil Colour range, ideal for student artists.

2.2. Best Oil Paints for Beginners

For beginners, oil paints that offer good quality at a reasonable price are the best choice. Here are the top options:

• Winsor & Newton Winton – A high-quality student-grade option with a decent pigment load and smooth blending.
• Daler Rowney Georgian – Great for students who want a budget-friendly, but still reliable, oil paint.
• Gamblin 1980 – A more affordable version of their professional range, made with high-quality pigments and a smooth consistency.

A color chart of Van Gogh Oil Colours by Royal Talens, offering a balanced selection of high-quality student-grade pigments.

2.3. Best Budget Oil Paints

Not all high-quality oil paints need to be expensive. Here are some affordable brands that still deliver great performance:

• Van Gogh (by Royal Talens) – Considered a step above student-grade, offering high pigment concentration at a lower price.
• Rembrandt (by Royal Talens) – More affordable than some professional-grade brands, but still highly pigmented.
• Blick Artists’ Oil Colors – A cost-effective alternative for artists who want professional quality without the high price tag.

A high-quality color chart displaying the full range of Rembrandt Oil Colours by Royal Talens.

3. Key Factors to Consider When Choosing Oil Paints

3.1. Pigment Quality and Load

• Higher pigment concentration leads to richer colors and better coverage.
• Single-pigment colors provide the purest tones and are easier to mix.

3.2. Lightfastness

• Lightfastness measures how well a paint resists fading over time.
• ASTM I and II ratings indicate high lightfastness, making them ideal for long-lasting artwork.
• Brands like Michael Harding, Vasari, and Old Holland have some of the best lightfastness ratings.

3.3. Oil Content and Drying Time

• Different brands use different oils, affecting drying time and texture.
• Walnut oil – Slower drying, good for blending (M. Graham uses walnut oil).
• Linseed oil – Faster drying and more durable over time (used in most professional brands).
• Poppy oil – Slower drying, commonly used in whites to prevent yellowing (Old Holland and Sennelier use poppy oil).

3.4. Texture and Consistency

• Some brands offer thicker, more textured paints, such as Williamsburg and Old Holland.
• Others are creamier and more buttery, like Vasari and Michael Harding.

A detailed color chart of Winsor & Newton Artist’s Oil Colours, showcasing professional-grade pigments and their properties.

4. Comparison of the Best Oil Paint Brands

5. Handmade and Boutique Oil Paints

For artists looking for unique or handcrafted oil paints, boutique brands offer exclusive colors and higher pigment concentration. Some noteworthy names include:

• Natural Pigments – Specializes in historical pigments and handmade oil paints.
• Blue Ridge Oils – Offers handcrafted, small-batch oil paints with premium quality.
• Rublev Colours – Focuses on historically accurate, natural pigment-based paints.

An organized display of Gamblin Artist’s Oil Colour tubes, showcasing a variety of professional-grade pigments.

6. Best Oil Paints for Realism

When painting in a realistic style, certain brands offer superior blending and subtle color transitions:

• Michael Harding – The most recommended oil paint for realism.
• Vasari – Extremely smooth consistency for fine detail work.
• Gamblin – Offers Radiant colors that are useful for skin tones in portrait painting.

Final Thoughts

Choosing the best oil paint brand depends on your skill level, budget, and painting style. Whether you’re a beginner looking for an affordable option or a professional seeking handmade, highly pigmented paints, this guide provides the information needed to make an informed decision. Investing in high-quality oil paints will enhance your artistic experience and ensure that your artwork remains vibrant for generations.

Now that you know which oil paints to choose, it’s time to start painting! 🎨