I'm a huge fan of stiff paints like Williamsburg and Old Holland. It's much easier to thin a paint with mediums/oils than to stiffen a paint and retain pigment density. Williamsburg's range has textural qualities ranging from very fine/fine/medium/coarse, which I like as an abstract painter looking for variance between pigments.
Hey Sophie! Please kill that awful music! You cannot hear or concentrate on what you are talking about! I am very interested in this topic, but this music is interfering with hearing you.!
I love Blue Ridge Oil Paints from the US. They are on a par with any premium brand like Old Holland or Vasari. They are simply pigment and oil no fillers, drying agents, or other additives. You buy directly from the guy who makes them so they are made within days of your order. Also, affordable for the quality. He sells direct to you, no distributor or retailer adding to the cost.
Im in love with Old Holland and Mussini, and here in Germany they are even cheaper than Gamblin. But all in all every artist grade paint from a company with name will do a very good job.
Thank you for your demonstrations and explanations of the "higher end" oil paints. I am restocking my oils and have been researching online. your video has helped me decide that I want the high end paints to begin painting again. A brand not mentioned is Blue Ridge which I've heard wonderful things about them. I'll try the primaries of a couple mentioned here and build on my pallette from there. Thanks!
You are welcome. I never tried Blue Ridge - not even sure I can get it in the UK. So many brands, so much choice.... ;) Have fun gathering your colours!
Thank you for posting this informative and well-done video. As an interesting side note about Schmincke Mussini oil-resin paints (which I have been using for 25 years): they have recently changed their formula to comply with European environmental laws and have now swapped out one of their traditional ingredients (pure spirit of gum turpentine) with naptha. Naptha is less of an allergen, but it is also a close chemical cousin of gasoline, so the latest batches of paint now stink to high heaven. Gone are the days of that wonderful aroma whenever you cracked open a tube of Mussini!
I cannot find any information about changing the forumula but I think you are talking about their mediums, NOT their paint. There is no naptha or turps in their paint, but it is in their mediums.
@@SophiePloeg No, I am speaking of their Mussini line of oil-resin colors, NOT their mediums. The addition of naphtha to their formula was confirmed in an exchange of private e-mail correspondence between myself and one of Schmincke's staff chemists (I will not disclose his name publicly for legal reasons). He even sent me an MSDS concerning it. According to this gentleman, the reason for this alteration to their traditional formula was due to a change in European material safety laws. I also wish to add that the extremely pungent smell of those tubes I had purchased last summer have mellowed considerably. It now smells like the Schmnicke Mussini paint I have been since 1995.
@@curtchiarelli8957 Interesting! Thank you for getting back to me on this. Am tempted to buy a new tube just to see if I can smell any difference. Thanks again.
@@SophiePloeg My pleasure! Clearly those tubes were fresh off the factory floor. As a test to see whether those tubes I bought last summer where an anomaly, I purchased another one last month and it smelled normal.
I seriously wished student grade oil paint was never invented. It frustrated me when I was a first year art student and gave me a bad taste of what oil paint was and how it worked. I luckily picked up a few better grade colors and started to enjoy oil painting. Now I’m a professional artist and know more about pigments, fillers, driers, etc that I can chose paint based on pigment over brand or price.
Ya, excellent paint. I would call the Gamblin* "artist colors" high-artist quality for the price. But the Old Hollands, Langridge, Blue ridge, Vasari, Michael Harding, etc. Are def "premium/professional" level...but then again, loads of pros stand by Gamblin. So far, my favorite:)
She’s from Netherlands. In Europe Gamblin is a brand you can’t find almost nowhere, and having such good European brands it wouldn’t make sense to get Gamblin.
Thank you! This was so helpful. I am a student so I'm on a budget and I've been wanting to expand the materials I use. This is the most helpful video I've seen on the subject so far.
Hi Sarah! Thanks so much, I am glad you found the video helpful. To be honest I would recommend not using any mediums at all - the best way to learn oil paints is to use just oil paints. :)
Thank you Sophie for this enjoyable video even with the superfluous music you have been very informative . I would rate Daler-Rowney a tad ahead of Windsor and Newton if i was to insert a brand as a personal choice plus I have been told good things about Cranfield Oil Colours by a few artist friends.
I absolutely agree with you. I'm a fan of dutch paints (Old Holland, Rembrandt, Amsterdam acrylics), but i must admit that MH paints contains so much pigment in it that you need very little of it and it's one of the best paints i've ever used. Schmincke's paints are highly recommended too (Norma and Mussini), it's pretty high quality products.
Hi Sophie, I agree with Michael Harding, Schmincke and Old Holland as well. I'm using mainly MH and Williamsburg oilpaints, some Old Holland and Blockx. Blockx has an Indigo, that I like over others; and they have some really beautiful Ultramarines. Williamsburg offers Great earth-tones. I know no better Burnt Sienna like their Italian Burnt Sienna, it has vivid orange undertones, somehow pretty fiery. And I love the French Burnt Ochre, very deep brown, reminds me of some tones in Rogier van der Weydens paintings ... Williamsburg has a lot of tones, wich come with a good sandy feeling when mixing and applying. Love that so much. I use the Mussinis on an extra pallet, never mix them with other brands because for me they are a kind of their own. Greetings from Bavaria.
Thanks for your review. I'm restarting after several years of painting in watercolors. I am excited and happy to have all the advice I can get. It can certainly cost a lot to get started. I'm going to try a limited palette and see how it goes.
I put together a limited palette in watercolors last night too, using DaVinci watercolors. Earthy tones, similar to the kind of colors artists had in the early 1800s. I'm not too fond of the modern ultra-bright colors. I used Naples Yellow, Raw Sienna, Venetian Red, Artemis (similar to Moonglow on the Daniel Smith line), Indigo, and Raw Umber. The same colors on other brands won't be exactly the same though. If you'd like to see a sample of a mixing chart and a painting made with it, look at my Instagram (linked from the About section on my youtube channel). I put these 6 half pans in a super small Altoid tin, and it's so cute and tiny!
I wanted to add my comment on these paints. I've personally purchased all of them. You should try Lukas 1862,a Jerrysartarama paint, the quality is excellent and doesn't cost an arm and leg. I ordered a Vasari Genuine Naples Yellow Lt, the color is more of a Lemon Yellow I even called them as talked to them about it, they said "that's the color" I was told to add a little Burnt Sienna to it, heck no, not for that it cost. So just a suggestion on the Lukas, it's really a wonderful paint. and I didn't get paid to say that.
Concordo pienamente, Paula Murphy. Io abito in Italia, e sto comprando Lukas 1862 Extrafini, ed Old Holland, perché oltre ad avere un ampia gamma, anche se non oleosi come Micheal Harding, con i miei Medim, sono Fantastici ambedue. La piccolissima percentuale di cera d'api, sui Lukas. lo danno asciugare anche velocemente.
@@cristianomurgia1030 tu credi che la gente di questo canale su TH-cam capisce la tua lingua ? Perche la gente italiana NON vole imparare una lingua internaționale,come inglese ?
@@romulusbuta9318 con tutti i traduttori che ci sono, non credo che sia più un problema comunicare tra lingue diverse, a meno che non si tratti di arabo o cinese o russo, o che cavolo ne so? Io sto traducendo perfino i libri in inglese e francese col l'I Phone che mi sono comprato da poco. E bada che io non sono un esperto di informatica tutt'altro direi. Io purtroppo non ho tempo di studiarla al momento, perché senza aver mai studiato pittura, sto studiando un casino, di teorie dei colori, tecniche in questo momento ad olio appunto, e nel contempo anche anatomia umana ed animale, di alcuni di questi almeno.
It is not the paint that makes the artist, it is the artist that learns to use the paint - the fact is if you don't know how to use the paint, even expensive paint won't get you where you want to go. I take it like Michael Cheval he has about 15 to 20 different brands on his work table and asked which brand he prefers? He answers," it's painted not a philosophy, but actually it's the paint I get for free."
I use Schmincke Norma, their regular artist's oil paints without resin. I think they are similar to the Winsor & Newton Professional line - dependable, consistent, predictable, reliable. Great pigment load but never any surprises. Just as I like it :)
Nice presentation, Sophie. I really like Gamblin as well. Their pastels are superb. And, they are very good in the purity of their paints. Toxin levels are low. You might fade down the background music a bit as it competes with your pleasant voice. Many thanks.
Hiya Sophie, I agree totally with your choices, and thanks very much for another great video. I love all of Rembrandts materials as they are a really trusted brand for me and they are 'honest.' I tried an American brand, Williamsburg, a couple of years ago and I love them. The consistency of the pigments differs with the texture of the pigment, so earths can be a bit gritty, etc, but I love the ones that I can afford, expensive but worth it for a special colour. I have tried Ultramarine blue in Vasari but the price is prohibitive. Langridge are curious in that the tube, label and descriptions are very very similar to Michael Hardings? My all time favourite is Winsor and Newton though. Stay safe and well. x
I am partial to anything from the Netherlands. I was stationed there with the US Air Force from 1984-87. Windsor Newton has given me good results but I need to try the other brands.
It´s strange there are hundreds of videos about what is the best brand of paints but barely you can not find videos about best brands of canvases and surfaces for painting with oil/acrylics. Being difference between to paint on a bad surface or do it on a good quality linen brand/well primed surface......is dramatically huge.
That's probably because there is a huge choice of supports out there. Every decent art store has its own brands, it also varies per country what is available. Check out my blog post on supports here: www.sophieploeg.com/blog/busting-the-myths-of-oil-painting-supports/
Thanks for the informative video. I haven't tried Vasari or Michael Harding yet, but I have tried Geneva which sounds similar to Vasari except that the drying times for all colors is matched using a medium (somewhat like the schmincke). It's more fluid than W&N, has a very high pigment load, and smells nice. Although I love W&N for its consistency, as you pointed out, I'm not sure I would put it above schmincke or even old holland in terms of quality ... but it does seem to be available everywhere and you always know what you're getting. I would be interested in a video on your favorite brushes!
Hi Richard, thanks for your reply. I will keep an eye out for Geneva, never heard of it! I agree that W&N is not necessarily better in quality than Schmincke or Old Holland. I’d say those two brands are probably better quality. But they are also more expensive, less available, and have quite particular characteristics that don’t always suit everyone. WN is a great all-round paint.
I could have done without the music - being a touch deaf, it makes it much more difficult to hear what you're saying. On the content - the trouble with a paint including dammar varnish is twofold: one, it's more likely to yellow over time; two, solvents used to clean varnish from paintings could also attack the dammar in the paint itself. So I don't use Schminke. You don't mention Rublev paint, from the USA with a Russian family influence: I've yet to try it, wonder if you have? And I remember having a soft spot for Maimeri, Puro or Classico - it's just a bit difficult to find it. And finally, any views about Zinc in oil paint? Most of these makers use it, mixed in with pigments like Naples Yellow (Hue), and also with Titanium White - the reasons are understandable (cleaner tints, less chalky appearance) but what's your view of the delamination argument?
Problem with starting out with student paints is that it's harder to find ranges that don't add something that requires a safety warning to their whites. (Cobalt driers? I dunno.) I had to steer towards Michael Harding in my local shop because of that.
The Mussini paints don’t just contain resin, they also contain solvents. I’ve tried a few tubes and although the paint is gorgeous it also took my breath away - just from painting tiny swatches of the colours. What a bummer. 🥺
@@anony5021 For me it was, I found it overwhelming. I am quite sensitive though. I’ve sold them and bought other ones. They are however extremely beautiful.
Great video! Michael Harding oil paints are simply marvelous. I'd be so happy if I could buy a 225ml tube of Cremnitz White in walnut oil off somebody since they don't have any shops here in Canada lol
I have just recently discovered Vasari oil paints. They have some absolutely luscious colors that I am dying to try. They are expensive, but they do run some sales. I guess just choose the colors you want to try, when they are on sale. My complaint is, they require a $100 minimum on an order! I haven’t ever seen any other paint company that does this. This must be a marketing tactic for increasing the amount spent per order, obviously! But it may also decrease the number of orders. It would be nice to order a few new colors to try. I don’t really need any more paint, just want to actually try these beautiful paints. How do they differ from the others, to make them your favorite? Just wondering? You did not mention Gamblin’s paint? I think they are very nice, too. Happy painting 💐
Blue Ridge Oil is very good, the owner started his company up and marketed to the internet only, has a very small amount of overhead. No middle markup. His paint is professional grade at Artist grade prices.
Have you tried Williamsburg, Rublev (natural pigments.com), M. Graham, or Blockx? Of the paints you recommend, I prefer Michael Harding, it's high quality, with no fillers or extenders or driers, I met him at an art conference; Winsor & Newton is affordable but adulterated with drying oils and pigment dispersion methods; Old Holland is expensive but mass produced, and Vasari is high quality but fantastically expensive.
The fact that Old Holland produces a lot of paint by volume, does not mean they are cheap quality. I have been painting with Old Holland for 15 years and is my favorite brand (although super expensive). Sennelier is also a good brand.
John Davolta Hi john! I love Senneliers watercolour, and would like to star painting in oil and I wasn’t sure if sennelier was a better option or Rembrandt. What do you think?
Thanks for this; it is very informative. I suppose if we can't have some beautiful young woman grind our pigments and manufacture our oil paints for us, as the Vermeer character did in the great movie: "the Girl with the Pearl Earring", then you have given us some useable, if less exciting, alternatives for acquiring some good quality oil paints!! :D
Let me tell you all a best kept secret that is not a secret. Schminke Norma is just as good as MH and at a more fair price (not cheap but definitely not THAT expensive). It is by far one of the most pigmented oil paints around yet no one talks about it. Very strange
I am always open to some good advice and why try to invent the wheel again? - but comparing paint with one another needs more consideration than just what one artist prefers - and reading the comments nearly everybody has their particular paint and think oh!" that brand is missing" they need a mention or should be included - What paint would you use if you were painting in a classic style with underpainting and layers of glazes or painting in ala prima - or mixed media style Tempera and oil - or you have a deadline need fast-drying paint - or just hate waiting for the paint to dry for weeks on end - I have seen students working with a variety of oil paints professional and student quality and compared their work with one another and fact is there is not much difference if you know how to use the paint you choose - I personally find the Tubes are big enough and the manufacturers should put more information on the tubes - always missing actual pigment load in % drying time on average - stabilizers and fillers it would be nice for starters - and not just that average, high pigment load, best oils, good mixing quality and not toxic who is going to put the stuff on their toast?
Wonder if someone can make a guide on how to use student grade oils and how to turn the limit into advantage? I have used the student grade oils, stuff like/from Pebeo, Amsterdam, Maimeri Classico, Lefranc & Bourgeois, Georgian, W&N. Some of them behave not that bad, but after I have try few tubes of Talens Rembrandt - for the first time I understood how much pigment can be packed on a single brushstroke. It is like rediscovering the oil painting. To make this color mark on the canvas with Student grade paint I have to paint thick or put a lot of medium, or I have to admit - straight thinner. Because the paint is so stiff sometimes lol. Thinner use for me have become pretty bad habit at some point... The results can be ruined chalky colors, although it can be an effect too. It seems impasto is some kind of answer to the student grade oils?
I would suggest, if you have time and patience, to paint over your layers until they're as rich as you want them to be. Perhaps a grisaille for your underpainting, and look into glazing after you have constructed a solid foundation to your piece.
@@SophiePloeg Defin8itely worth trying them. Were a very small company in New York State - whose owner (artist) died, and his wife was struggling to keep the business going. Their next door neighbor was acrylic paint make, Golden, who bought part of the company. Wife still runs it and all is well. Lovely, dense paint.
Williamsburg oil paints are excellent. I mix my oil paint brands. Best Titanium whites are Lefranc Bourgeois, Windsor & Newton, and especially Marin Beaux arts oils who produce lead white and other antique style oils. Williamsburg has great naples, reds, orange, indian yellow, courbet green, Windsor & Newton produce good mediums for oils. I’m not too hot on Talens Rembrandt because there’s too much linseed oil in the tubes...preferably poppy oil, to avoid yellowing of the clearer colours.
A lot of TH-cam artists have spoken against using acrylic paint as an under painting, why is there such confusion? Is there a problem that happens over the years?
I love Langridge! I did not add it to this video because it is not a paint for everyone. Some people might not like it. For my review of Langridge paint, please check out this blog post: www.sophieploeg.com/blog/langridge-oil-paint-review/
Some winsor newton of the paints I find dry more quickly than they used to.and they have become more expensive here in Canada so i wouldn't recommend them for students.Where does Blockx fit in with you,Sophie? I do use several. and I agree with you on Rembrandt: a very good paint.
The only info I have on Blockx, since I've had difficulty finding them, is that they were suggested by Dali in his instructional book, and somewhat praised, too. They seem to have great reviews and I believe they are definitely some of the best. I am still looking forward to getting some.
Leroux oil paint ,best oil paint produced in France,ordering directly to the factory ,true manganese blue ,earth colors from prehistoric carriers/mine,all chrome yellows ,you must try them to level up your art !
The Damar resin in Mussini is questionable for some because it's also used as a varnish and there are fears that the solvent used to remove old varnish could also damage a paint layer containing it. Old Holland actually only goes back to somewhere around 1900 when it was started by the artist Albert Roelof. He used, it is supposed, recipes for oil paint making learned from the Hague Royal Artists Academy, which he attended. The Academy dates back to the 17th century. Thus; it would seem, Old Holland's claim to date back to the 17th century. Which would be a bit like a baker learning his craft at a school, starting a bakery, and then dating his business to the origin date of the school and not when he opened shop. As far as I'm aware, it wasn't Roelof himself who made claims to his brand starting in the 17th century. Just to make paints like those used by the old Dutch masters. I believe those claims started after the Roelof family sold the business. The thicker nature of Old Holland paint is due in part to their use of semi-hydrogenated linseed oil with a butter like thickness. This is used as a high quality stabilizer, so the standard linseed oils in the paint won't separate from the pigments, and the paint keeps better over the years on the shelf or at the bottom of a paint box.
Thank you Sophie for this useful information! First time I see you on video by the way. Are you really Dutch? I mean do you speak Dutch as well? Keep up the good work.
GAMBLIN paints are beautiful. I live in Canada and the tariffs and import fees are exorbitant when I order online. It is much more affordable for me to order from Jacksons. Fortunately, a big box store, Micheals do carry a few professional paint brands, Gamblin oils being one of them. So it's affordable when they have a sale or coupon event. If you want to try different brands, I suggest a Zorn type palette with the blue based black and just use the one black and perhaps add a blue and bright yellow if you can afford the extra. Soon, the colours would be ery affordable as basics. They are titanium white, carbon black, basic red, and yellow ochre. Go for the most light fastness colours with red and if you want to add a blue and bright yellow. Cobalt teal would work as an extra too.
I ordered from Jacksons rembrant and the price difference from Des serres is incredible lower even with 10 $shipping and duties fees it came out much cheaper permanent color 13.61 instead of 29.99 just can't believe it! and got it within 7 days (Montreal ) also ordered a few old Holland ,much cheaper..... too and cheaper than Gamblin Artist paint and of course avoid buying on Amazon CANADA is awfully expensive! Micheal's all the price are boosted up! only good when you get coupons....or sales.......lol
@@fotoalive lol. So true. Awesome❣😲🥰 I ordered a few old Holland too. Be careful with the shipping fees. Sometimes regular post is not offered, so I am wondering about requesting regular post. If you know anything re shipping fees, please let me know!
@@elizabethandiosa4579 my first Jaskson order i did last year , never got a call from duties, I think it was in my mail box,this time it was FEDEX , same for Rosemany Brushes I got last year from the regular mail ,never got a call for duty fees either...I guess maybe too busy with the pandemic...lol......I was really surprised this time to get close to 40 $ fees for a 196$ order but with 9.50 shipping on top all divided by the amount of tubes i got ,still. good deal.......just checking a new site pygmaliart.com ...CAD $.still more expensive then Jackson..... I 'm new at Art bought tons of matérials bought cheap paint to start ,but I see it does not get same results....I love Micheal james smith photo realistic style! Happy Painting!
Hello, how are you, thanks for your review, a curiosity: What do you think of the Williamsburg brand? I ask because I am about to buy them and I would like to know your opinion. Greetings.
How would you compare W&N with MH especially when it comes to fluidity and color vibrancy? Would it be a good idea to substitute some of the more expensive MH colours with W&N?
Hello 😊 Thanks allot for your very informative video,, i really need this information this time when i am going to buy some good brands of oil colors... I RLLY NEED TO KNOW ABOUT MORE BRIGHTER COLORS OF ALL THESE BRANDS,, or you can suggest me according to your experience which one is having more brighter effect of all these brands.... HELP ME 😊
Of all these brands which brand would be good to do paint breaks?, i'm having trouble with my snow mountains. the paint i'm using now seems to be to soft or runny.
Depends on so many factors! Weather, humidity, what brand are you using now and finding soft? There are no paints specifically good for 'paint breaks' - it's a matter of personal preference. Old Holland is particularly stiff if you are after something that is not too soft...
Not really no. Perhaps it is because they are widely known, available and are moderately priced. Perhaps it has lost some of its ‘being special’ by being so popular. I think it is probably one of the most popular brands!
@@SophiePloeg Right, you said it best, consistent, available, predictable, affordable. Who's kidding who, none of us commenting here will be remembered in 400 years, even if we use the most expensive oil paints for our works, but the paintings made with this Windsor and Newton oil paint will last that long, poor as they are!!
I'm a fairly young painter and have been painting for several years. I love oil pants and am not looking for anything super professional as I am nowhere close to a professional but just something I can use that will still be good quality. I prefer working with thicker paint. Which of these would you recommend?
Hi! Thanks for asking! From the list above the only one that is a bit thicker is Old Holland. If you can afford it, I'd try that. W&N also really good around paint. But all the brand mentions are great quality, so buy the best you can afford.
Hi Sopie, you just mentions, you wouldn`t recommend these brands to beginners. What brand would be your advice for beginners? By the way. great video. Regards from Germany.
Hi, Thanks for liking the video! For beginners...well yes, that’s a whole new video really. Can’t really explain all in a couple of lines. It depends on budget. I’d say buy the best you can afford. Professional paint is definitely better than student quality so why hamper yourself with less quality paint if you can afford it. That said, if you are really struggling money-wise and you are just practising and learning than stick to well-known big brands and you can’t go wrong. W&N winton, Schmincke, Talens Rembrandt, Daler Rowney Georgian, just a few from the top of my head. I must do some research and come up with a proper list and do a video! Thanks for asking!
@@SophiePloeg Hi Sophie, thank you for your fast reply and the information. I`m sure lot of us would be glad to see a new video from you about recommended oil paints for beginners. Regards,
@@SophiePloeg Right, a beginning is a very delicate time, and having your art materials fight you is only going to add to the frustration and might make you give it up. I've always been advised and absolutely subscribe to the practice of using the best materials you can afford as a beginner and never ever use "student grade" paints. They are pigment poor!! Winsor and Newton, artist grade is my recommendation, not only for oils but acrylics too (I've used them for wildlife paintings I used to do). Now I paint landscapes en plein air and use a number or brands but always W&N is among the mix, Rembrandt too, since it is a "bonus" sized tube!!
Blue Ridge is a fantastic paint, family owned, hand made, rich pigments, professional quality at an extremely affordable price. Draw backs are it’s online only, and not as many colors as some other brands, but great company to deal with, never disappointed.
I've use both W&N and Gamblin; I like them both, remember, you can have a palette of seven colors, including white, and each can be a different brand, for their individual qualities, that's ok., and it works. And they W&N and Gamblin are in the "quality but affordable" range and usually available in most big art stores too, and of course on line.
Both are great brands. I use all of the high quality brands ( like the one mentioned in this video) and also i use gamblin & W&N. You can mix and experiment with all of them.
If I remember well, in a comparison test between Titanium white oils between various brands that I have seen,, W&N sample was doing equally well or even better ( in terms of yellowing) from several other brands ( some of them more expensive..). Are you sure that you're informed well about this?
Indeed it seems Vasari has pulled it from stores across Europe and want you to buy it directly from them - they do offer free import duty apparently. A real shame.
the worst painting is van gogh of the brand talents although it is for students more than oil it looks like a cornstarch sausage with chocolate of colors it is washed away with the water and drying a bit impossible to handle it with the brush of natural bristle
I'm surprised. I find the Mussina much better than the W&N. I find the Windsor goes on much more uneven when trying to paint a flat, even surface color. Wish I could trade you but we're separated by an ocean.
I'm a huge fan of stiff paints like Williamsburg and Old Holland. It's much easier to thin a paint with mediums/oils than to stiffen a paint and retain pigment density.
Williamsburg's range has textural qualities ranging from very fine/fine/medium/coarse, which I like as an abstract painter looking for variance between pigments.
Hey Sophie! Please kill that awful music! You cannot hear or concentrate on what you are talking about! I am very interested in this topic, but this music is interfering with hearing you.!
I used Sennelier, Lukas and Rembrandt.
Now, I prefer Blockx. I like to work thin and glossy. Blockx colors are pigmented and bright. I recommend !
Sennelier is no longer a good paint brand.
I love Blue Ridge Oil Paints from the US. They are on a par with any premium brand like Old Holland or Vasari. They are simply pigment and oil no fillers, drying agents, or other additives. You buy directly from the guy who makes them so they are made within days of your order. Also, affordable for the quality. He sells direct to you, no distributor or retailer adding to the cost.
Im in love with Old Holland and Mussini, and here in Germany they are even cheaper than Gamblin. But all in all every artist grade paint from a company with name will do a very good job.
Thank you for your demonstrations and explanations of the "higher end" oil paints. I am restocking my oils and have been researching online. your video has helped me decide that I want the high end paints to begin painting again. A brand not mentioned is Blue Ridge which I've heard wonderful things about them. I'll try the primaries of a couple mentioned here and build on my pallette from there. Thanks!
You are welcome. I never tried Blue Ridge - not even sure I can get it in the UK. So many brands, so much choice.... ;) Have fun gathering your colours!
The best IMO: 1.Blue Ridge 2.Williamsburg 3.M. Graham 4. W&N 5. Richeson Shiva Oils
Thank you for posting this informative and well-done video. As an interesting side note about Schmincke Mussini oil-resin paints (which I have been using for 25 years): they have recently changed their formula to comply with European environmental laws and have now swapped out one of their traditional ingredients (pure spirit of gum turpentine) with naptha. Naptha is less of an allergen, but it is also a close chemical cousin of gasoline, so the latest batches of paint now stink to high heaven. Gone are the days of that wonderful aroma whenever you cracked open a tube of Mussini!
Hi, thanks for that Curt. I have not heard this news yet but will try and find out more about it!
I cannot find any information about changing the forumula but I think you are talking about their mediums, NOT their paint. There is no naptha or turps in their paint, but it is in their mediums.
@@SophiePloeg No, I am speaking of their Mussini line of oil-resin colors, NOT their mediums. The addition of naphtha to their formula was confirmed in an exchange of private e-mail correspondence between myself and one of Schmincke's staff chemists (I will not disclose his name publicly for legal reasons). He even sent me an MSDS concerning it. According to this gentleman, the reason for this alteration to their traditional formula was due to a change in European material safety laws. I also wish to add that the extremely pungent smell of those tubes I had purchased last summer have mellowed considerably. It now smells like the Schmnicke Mussini paint I have been since 1995.
@@curtchiarelli8957 Interesting! Thank you for getting back to me on this. Am tempted to buy a new tube just to see if I can smell any difference. Thanks again.
@@SophiePloeg My pleasure! Clearly those tubes were fresh off the factory floor. As a test to see whether those tubes I bought last summer where an anomaly, I purchased another one last month and it smelled normal.
I seriously wished student grade oil paint was never invented. It frustrated me when I was a first year art student and gave me a bad taste of what oil paint was and how it worked. I luckily picked up a few better grade colors and started to enjoy oil painting. Now I’m a professional artist and know more about pigments, fillers, driers, etc that I can chose paint based on pigment over brand or price.
What differences did you notice when upgrading? Would you recommend upgrading the yellow/red/black first or white first (if you *had* to choose)?
What about Gambin? Made right here in Portland, Oregon. Competitively priced and high pigment load. Very good paint.
Ya, excellent paint. I would call the Gamblin* "artist colors" high-artist quality for the price. But the Old Hollands, Langridge, Blue ridge, Vasari, Michael Harding, etc. Are def "premium/professional" level...but then again, loads of pros stand by Gamblin. So far, my favorite:)
Their cadmium colors seem too light compared to other brands.
They make a great permanent alizarin. But I have had several colors from Gamblin harden badly in the tubes
She’s from Netherlands. In Europe Gamblin is a brand you can’t find almost nowhere, and having such good European brands it wouldn’t make sense to get Gamblin.
your choice?
Must give Williamsburg a try and also blue ridge
Thank you! This was so helpful. I am a student so I'm on a budget and I've been wanting to expand the materials I use. This is the most helpful video I've seen on the subject so far.
Are there any mediums that you would recommend using with the Talens Rembrandt or Winsor and Newton oil paints?
Hi Sarah! Thanks so much, I am glad you found the video helpful. To be honest I would recommend not using any mediums at all - the best way to learn oil paints is to use just oil paints. :)
@@SophiePloeg Thank you so much!!
I like the solventfree Line from Gamblin or simply linseed oil. No bad odor or headaches from that.
@@sarahmarie2413 ....VENETIAN MEDIUM from Lefranc et Bourgeois
Excellent review! Thank you very much.
I only use Michael Harding paints..worth paying more but tremendous results..
What about a Sennelier?
Thank you Sophie for this enjoyable video even with the superfluous music you have been very informative . I would rate Daler-Rowney a tad ahead of Windsor and Newton if i was to insert a brand as a personal choice plus I have been told good things about Cranfield Oil Colours by a few artist friends.
Great info - exactly what I was looking for.:) Thank you!
deejo 2 thanks, glad you found it useful!
Blue Ridge Oil Colors !
Single pigment in walnut oil
@@patrickfosterstudio very humble and honest as well!
Love blueridge
Thanks for this review. I have been using Blue Ridge and I highly recommend them.
I absolutely agree with you.
I'm a fan of dutch paints (Old Holland, Rembrandt, Amsterdam acrylics), but i must admit that MH paints contains so much pigment in it that you need very little of it and it's one of the best paints i've ever used. Schmincke's paints are highly recommended too (Norma and Mussini), it's pretty high quality products.
Glad you enjoyed and agreed with the video! Happy Painting!
Hi Sophie,
I agree with Michael Harding, Schmincke and Old Holland as well.
I'm using mainly MH and Williamsburg oilpaints, some Old Holland and Blockx. Blockx has an Indigo, that I like over others; and they have some really beautiful Ultramarines. Williamsburg offers Great earth-tones. I know no better Burnt Sienna like their Italian Burnt Sienna, it has vivid orange undertones, somehow pretty fiery. And I love the French Burnt Ochre, very deep brown, reminds me of some tones in Rogier van der Weydens paintings ... Williamsburg has a lot of tones, wich come with a good sandy feeling when mixing and applying. Love that so much.
I use the Mussinis on an extra pallet, never mix them with other brands because for me they are a kind of their own.
Greetings from Bavaria.
thank you Didier - that is very useful info! I love my Mussini Indigo tone, might well have to try the Blockx Indigo! Thanks for the tip!
Thanks for your review. I'm restarting after several years of painting in watercolors. I am excited and happy to have all the advice I can get. It can certainly cost a lot to get started. I'm going to try a limited palette and see how it goes.
I put together a limited palette in watercolors last night too, using DaVinci watercolors. Earthy tones, similar to the kind of colors artists had in the early 1800s. I'm not too fond of the modern ultra-bright colors. I used Naples Yellow, Raw Sienna, Venetian Red, Artemis (similar to Moonglow on the Daniel Smith line), Indigo, and Raw Umber. The same colors on other brands won't be exactly the same though. If you'd like to see a sample of a mixing chart and a painting made with it, look at my Instagram (linked from the About section on my youtube channel). I put these 6 half pans in a super small Altoid tin, and it's so cute and tiny!
I wanted to add my comment on these paints. I've personally purchased all of them. You should try Lukas 1862,a Jerrysartarama paint, the quality is excellent and doesn't cost an arm and leg. I ordered a Vasari Genuine Naples Yellow Lt, the color is more of a Lemon Yellow I even called them as talked to them about it, they said "that's the color" I was told to add a little Burnt Sienna to it, heck no, not for that it cost. So just a suggestion on the Lukas, it's really a wonderful paint. and I didn't get paid to say that.
Concordo pienamente, Paula Murphy. Io abito in Italia, e sto comprando Lukas 1862 Extrafini, ed Old Holland, perché oltre ad avere un ampia gamma, anche se non oleosi come Micheal Harding, con i miei Medim, sono Fantastici ambedue. La piccolissima percentuale di cera d'api, sui Lukas. lo danno asciugare anche velocemente.
@@cristianomurgia1030 tu credi che la gente di questo canale su TH-cam capisce la tua lingua ? Perche la gente italiana NON vole imparare una lingua internaționale,come inglese ?
@@romulusbuta9318 con tutti i traduttori che ci sono, non credo che sia più un problema comunicare tra lingue diverse, a meno che non si tratti di arabo o cinese o russo, o che cavolo ne so? Io sto traducendo perfino i libri in inglese e francese col l'I Phone che mi sono comprato da poco. E bada che io non sono un esperto di informatica tutt'altro direi. Io purtroppo non ho tempo di studiarla al momento, perché senza aver mai studiato pittura, sto studiando un casino, di teorie dei colori, tecniche in questo momento ad olio appunto, e nel contempo anche anatomia umana ed animale, di alcuni di questi almeno.
@@romulusbuta9318I'm Portuguese and I understood everything. 😂
It is not the paint that makes the artist, it is the artist that learns to use the paint - the fact is if you don't know how to use the paint, even expensive paint won't get you where you want to go. I take it like Michael Cheval he has about 15 to 20 different brands on his work table and asked which brand he prefers? He answers," it's painted not a philosophy, but actually it's the paint I get for free."
I use Schmincke Norma, their regular artist's oil paints without resin. I think they are similar to the Winsor & Newton Professional line - dependable, consistent, predictable, reliable. Great pigment load but never any surprises. Just as I like it :)
Nice presentation, Sophie.
I really like Gamblin as well.
Their pastels are superb. And,
they are very good in the purity
of their paints. Toxin levels are
low. You might fade down the
background music a bit as it
competes with your pleasant
voice. Many thanks.
Hiya Sophie, I agree totally with your choices, and thanks very much for another great video. I love all of Rembrandts materials as they are a really trusted brand for me and they are 'honest.' I tried an American brand, Williamsburg, a couple of years ago and I love them. The consistency of the pigments differs with the texture of the pigment, so earths can be a bit gritty, etc, but I love the ones that I can afford, expensive but worth it for a special colour. I have tried Ultramarine blue in Vasari but the price is prohibitive. Langridge are curious in that the tube, label and descriptions are very very similar to Michael Hardings? My all time favourite is Winsor and Newton though. Stay safe and well. x
I like Lukas &Rembrandt. Great information. Thank you.
I use Georgian Daler Rowney oil paints and love them - vibrant colours and buttery. Fabulous for mixing colours and very consistent:-)
Blue Ridge Oil Colors
I am partial to anything from the Netherlands. I was stationed there with the US Air Force from 1984-87. Windsor Newton has given me good results but I need to try the other brands.
I am a fan of the American Geneva Oil paint. Its very clean, has a wonderfull fluidity.
Thank you, I pretty much have to order my paints from far away, I very much like Michael Hardings paint 🎨 work well for me.
Why the music in the background, very loud and distracting.
A very informative video, thank you !
Thanks! Glad you found it useful
I'd suggest you try Holbein. Creamy medium consistency and fully pigmented.
Have you tried the Williamsburg oil paint's?
It´s strange there are hundreds of videos about what is the best brand of paints but barely you can not find videos about best brands of canvases and surfaces for painting with oil/acrylics. Being difference between to paint on a bad surface or do it on a good quality linen brand/well primed surface......is dramatically huge.
That's probably because there is a huge choice of supports out there. Every decent art store has its own brands, it also varies per country what is available. Check out my blog post on supports here: www.sophieploeg.com/blog/busting-the-myths-of-oil-painting-supports/
Masterpiece Artist Canvas is a quality brand, but your wallet may scream. Sometimes you can find them on special on amazon.
Thanks for the informative video. I haven't tried Vasari or Michael Harding yet, but I have tried Geneva which sounds similar to Vasari except that the drying times for all colors is matched using a medium (somewhat like the schmincke). It's more fluid than W&N, has a very high pigment load, and smells nice. Although I love W&N for its consistency, as you pointed out, I'm not sure I would put it above schmincke or even old holland in terms of quality ... but it does seem to be available everywhere and you always know what you're getting.
I would be interested in a video on your favorite brushes!
Hi Richard, thanks for your reply. I will keep an eye out for Geneva, never heard of it! I agree that W&N is not necessarily better in quality than Schmincke or Old Holland. I’d say those two brands are probably better quality. But they are also more expensive, less available, and have quite particular characteristics that don’t always suit everyone. WN is a great all-round paint.
Not shown is Blueridge oils hand made in North Carolina for years very high pigment load and it don’t break the bank
I could have done without the music - being a touch deaf, it makes it much more difficult to hear what you're saying. On the content - the trouble with a paint including dammar varnish is twofold: one, it's more likely to yellow over time; two, solvents used to clean varnish from paintings could also attack the dammar in the paint itself. So I don't use Schminke. You don't mention Rublev paint, from the USA with a Russian family influence: I've yet to try it, wonder if you have? And I remember having a soft spot for Maimeri, Puro or Classico - it's just a bit difficult to find it. And finally, any views about Zinc in oil paint? Most of these makers use it, mixed in with pigments like Naples Yellow (Hue), and also with Titanium White - the reasons are understandable (cleaner tints, less chalky appearance) but what's your view of the delamination argument?
Hi Robert, you might want to check out my Rublev review here: www.sophieploeg.com/blog/a-review-of-rublev-oils/
Problem with starting out with student paints is that it's harder to find ranges that don't add something that requires a safety warning to their whites. (Cobalt driers? I dunno.) I had to steer towards Michael Harding in my local shop because of that.
The Mussini paints don’t just contain resin, they also contain solvents. I’ve tried a few tubes and although the paint is gorgeous it also took my breath away - just from painting tiny swatches of the colours. What a bummer. 🥺
You mean it's hard to breathe working with mussini?
@@anony5021 For me it was, I found it overwhelming. I am quite sensitive though. I’ve sold them and bought other ones. They are however extremely beautiful.
Great video! Michael Harding oil paints are simply marvelous. I'd be so happy if I could buy a 225ml tube of Cremnitz White in walnut oil off somebody since they don't have any shops here in Canada lol
I have just recently discovered Vasari oil paints. They have some absolutely luscious colors that I am dying to try. They are expensive, but they do run some sales. I guess just choose the colors you want to try, when they are on sale. My complaint is, they require a $100 minimum on an order! I haven’t ever seen any other paint company that does this. This must be a marketing tactic for increasing the amount spent per order, obviously! But it may also decrease the number of orders. It would be nice to order a few new colors to try.
I don’t really need any more paint, just want to actually try these beautiful paints.
How do they differ from the others, to make them your favorite? Just wondering?
You did not mention Gamblin’s paint? I think they are very nice, too.
Happy painting 💐
Thank you. Appreciated this review.
blue ridge for the money
Blue Ridge Oil is very good, the owner started his company up and marketed to the internet only, has a very small amount of overhead. No middle markup. His paint is professional grade at Artist grade prices.
Have you tried Williamsburg, Rublev (natural pigments.com), M. Graham, or Blockx? Of the paints you recommend, I prefer Michael Harding, it's high quality, with no fillers or extenders or driers, I met him at an art conference; Winsor & Newton is affordable but adulterated with drying oils and pigment dispersion methods; Old Holland is expensive but mass produced, and Vasari is high quality but fantastically expensive.
The fact that Old Holland produces a lot of paint by volume, does not mean they are cheap quality. I have been painting with Old Holland for 15 years and is my favorite brand (although super expensive). Sennelier is also a good brand.
I agree :winsoe &newton paints: dry out more quickly than years ago-I don't recommend them if there is an alternative.
John Davolta Hi john! I love Senneliers watercolour, and would like to star painting in oil and I wasn’t sure if sennelier was a better option or Rembrandt. What do you think?
Thanks for this; it is very informative. I suppose if we can't have some beautiful young woman grind our pigments and manufacture our oil paints for us, as the Vermeer character did in the great movie: "the Girl with the Pearl Earring", then you have given us some useable, if less exciting, alternatives for acquiring some good quality oil paints!! :D
Thanks so much for the information.
you are very welcome!
Love the music and graphics! But I disagree on the Windsor Newton. Maybe I got the one bad batch.
Thanks! Ah, each to their own. Different strokes for different folks and all that....
Maybe you didn't get the artist series? The student grade tubes looks pretty identical, but didn't have "artist" written on them, just oil paint.
Let me tell you all a best kept secret that is not a secret. Schminke Norma is just as good as MH and at a more fair price (not cheap but definitely not THAT expensive). It is by far one of the most pigmented oil paints around yet no one talks about it. Very strange
I am always open to some good advice and why try to invent the wheel again? - but comparing paint with one another needs more consideration than just what one artist prefers - and reading the comments nearly everybody has their particular paint and think oh!" that brand is missing" they need a mention or should be included - What paint would you use if you were painting in a classic style with underpainting and layers of glazes or painting in ala prima - or mixed media style Tempera and oil - or you have a deadline need fast-drying paint - or just hate waiting for the paint to dry for weeks on end - I have seen students working with a variety of oil paints professional and student quality and compared their work with one another and fact is there is not much difference if you know how to use the paint you choose - I personally find the Tubes are big enough and the manufacturers should put more information on the tubes - always missing actual pigment load in % drying time on average - stabilizers and fillers it would be nice for starters - and not just that average, high pigment load, best oils, good mixing quality and not toxic who is going to put the stuff on their toast?
Wonder if someone can make a guide on how to use student grade oils and how to turn the limit into advantage?
I have used the student grade oils, stuff like/from Pebeo, Amsterdam, Maimeri Classico, Lefranc & Bourgeois, Georgian, W&N. Some of them behave not that bad, but after I have try few tubes of Talens Rembrandt - for the first time I understood how much pigment can be packed on a single brushstroke. It is like rediscovering the oil painting. To make this color mark on the canvas with Student grade paint I have to paint thick or put a lot of medium, or I have to admit - straight thinner. Because the paint is so stiff sometimes lol. Thinner use for me have become pretty bad habit at some point... The results can be ruined chalky colors, although it can be an effect too. It seems impasto is some kind of answer to the student grade oils?
I would suggest, if you have time and patience, to paint over your layers until they're as rich as you want them to be. Perhaps a grisaille for your underpainting, and look into glazing after you have constructed a solid foundation to your piece.
Great video very informative!
old holland is great stuff, but they include zinc in their whites, which we now know leads to cracking sometimes
Old Holland has all whites, and they're all labled... just skip the PW4
What about williamsburg ones?
Can’t say I’ve ever tried them!
@@SophiePloeg Defin8itely worth trying them. Were a very small company in New York State - whose owner (artist) died, and his wife was struggling to keep the business going. Their next door neighbor was acrylic paint make, Golden, who bought part of the company. Wife still runs it and all is well. Lovely, dense paint.
@@robinormond7344 I hope to try it one day soon!
@@SophiePloeg You can get samples if you reach out to Golden.
Williamsburg oil paints are excellent. I mix my oil paint brands. Best Titanium whites are Lefranc Bourgeois, Windsor & Newton, and especially Marin Beaux arts oils who produce lead white and other antique style oils. Williamsburg has great naples, reds, orange, indian yellow, courbet green, Windsor & Newton produce good mediums for oils. I’m not too hot on Talens Rembrandt because there’s too much linseed oil in the tubes...preferably poppy oil, to avoid yellowing of the clearer colours.
You must try Joe Joubert handmade oil paints from South Africa.... Outstanding paints
A lot of TH-cam artists have spoken against using acrylic paint as an under painting, why is there such confusion? Is there a problem that happens over the years?
Great wee video 😉 🌏 Level 🌏
WILLIAMSBURG OIL COLOUR
Sophie you must try kokuso camlin brand oil paints , very cheap , worth it , need a vlog video in comparison with other brands ,
Thanks
Blockx and Roberson are also top quality
What specifically do you not like about langridge?
I'm curious since many would rate it no 1.
I love Langridge! I did not add it to this video because it is not a paint for everyone. Some people might not like it. For my review of Langridge paint, please check out this blog post: www.sophieploeg.com/blog/langridge-oil-paint-review/
Some winsor newton of the paints I find dry more quickly than they used to.and they have become more expensive here in Canada so i wouldn't recommend them for students.Where does Blockx fit in with you,Sophie? I do use several. and I agree with you on Rembrandt: a very good paint.
The only info I have on Blockx, since I've had difficulty finding them, is that they were suggested by Dali in his instructional book, and somewhat praised, too. They seem to have great reviews and I believe they are definitely some of the best. I am still looking forward to getting some.
What would you use for decent beginner oil paints?
Winsor & Newton Artists oils, or Talens Rembrandt, but there are many other great brands too, (see all the comments!) so plenty of choice!
Leroux oil paint ,best oil paint produced in France,ordering directly to the factory ,true manganese blue ,earth colors from prehistoric carriers/mine,all chrome yellows ,you must try them to level up your art !
I tried googling Leroux and came up empty handed. Can you share their website/contact info?
What do you think about BLOCKX oil paints :)
I only have a couple but really like them!
The Damar resin in Mussini is questionable for some because it's also used as a varnish and there are fears that the solvent used to remove old varnish could also damage a paint layer containing it.
Old Holland actually only goes back to somewhere around 1900 when it was started by the artist Albert Roelof. He used, it is supposed, recipes for oil paint making learned from the Hague Royal Artists Academy, which he attended. The Academy dates back to the 17th century. Thus; it would seem, Old Holland's claim to date back to the 17th century. Which would be a bit like a baker learning his craft at a school, starting a bakery, and then dating his business to the origin date of the school and not when he opened shop. As far as I'm aware, it wasn't Roelof himself who made claims to his brand starting in the 17th century. Just to make paints like those used by the old Dutch masters. I believe those claims started after the Roelof family sold the business.
The thicker nature of Old Holland paint is due in part to their use of semi-hydrogenated linseed oil with a butter like thickness. This is used as a high quality stabilizer, so the standard linseed oils in the paint won't separate from the pigments, and the paint keeps better over the years on the shelf or at the bottom of a paint box.
Actually Old Holland only says that they use recepies from the 16th century, not that they were that old ;)
I like Roberson paints.. my violet lasted over 12 years... still working doesn’t dry up... I make my own vastly cheaper! Charvin worth considering....
Surprised to see Winsor Newton rated above Old Holland.
Thank you Sophie for this useful information! First time I see you on video by the way. Are you really Dutch? I mean do you speak Dutch as well? Keep up the good work.
Hiromi Nakai born and bred Dutchie here! Thanks, so glad you found it useful!
I love for now, MH paint brand and Gamblin Artist Color but no comparison
The music in the background is distracting and annoying.
GAMBLIN paints are beautiful. I live in Canada and the tariffs and import fees are exorbitant when I order online. It is much more affordable for me to order from Jacksons. Fortunately, a big box store, Micheals do carry a few professional paint brands, Gamblin oils being one of them. So it's affordable when they have a sale or coupon event. If you want to try different brands, I suggest a Zorn type palette with the blue based black and just use the one black and perhaps add a blue and bright yellow if you can afford the extra. Soon, the colours would be ery affordable as basics. They are titanium white, carbon black, basic red, and yellow ochre. Go for the most light fastness colours with red and if you want to add a blue and bright yellow. Cobalt teal would work as an extra too.
I ordered from Jacksons rembrant and the price difference from Des serres is incredible lower even with 10 $shipping and duties fees it came out much cheaper permanent color 13.61 instead of 29.99 just can't believe it! and got it within 7 days (Montreal ) also ordered a few old Holland ,much cheaper..... too and cheaper than Gamblin Artist paint and of course avoid buying on Amazon CANADA is awfully expensive! Micheal's all the price are boosted up! only good when you get coupons....or sales.......lol
@@fotoalive lol. So true. Awesome❣😲🥰 I ordered a few old Holland too. Be careful with the shipping fees. Sometimes regular post is not offered, so I am wondering about requesting regular post. If you know anything re shipping fees, please let me know!
@@elizabethandiosa4579 my first Jaskson order i did last year , never got a call from duties, I think it was in my mail box,this time it was FEDEX , same for Rosemany Brushes I got last year from the regular mail ,never got a call for duty fees either...I guess maybe too busy with the pandemic...lol......I was really surprised this time to get close to 40 $ fees for a 196$ order but with 9.50 shipping on top all divided by the amount of tubes i got ,still. good deal.......just checking a new site pygmaliart.com ...CAD $.still more expensive then Jackson..... I 'm new at Art bought tons of matérials bought cheap paint to start ,but I see it does not get same results....I love Micheal james smith photo realistic style! Happy Painting!
Well done video!
Hello, how are you, thanks for your review, a curiosity: What do you think of the Williamsburg brand? I ask because I am about to buy them and I would like to know your opinion. Greetings.
I’m afraid I never tried Williamsburg, sorry!
Please comment on grubacher and gamblin. As a beginner am curious.
This was nice. Background music was kind of distracting.
How would you compare W&N with MH especially when it comes to fluidity and color vibrancy? Would it be a good idea to substitute some of the more expensive MH colours with W&N?
Hello 😊
Thanks allot for your very informative video,, i really need this information this time when i am going to buy some good brands of oil colors...
I RLLY NEED TO KNOW ABOUT MORE BRIGHTER COLORS OF ALL THESE BRANDS,, or you can suggest me according to your experience which one is having more brighter effect of all these brands....
HELP ME 😊
Hi! All of these brands have very bright colours in their range. Have a look at all the colours they have and choose the brightest ones!
@@SophiePloeg
Ok sophie.. thanks for suggestion
Of all these brands which brand would be good to do paint breaks?, i'm having trouble with my snow mountains. the paint i'm using now seems to be to soft or runny.
Depends on so many factors! Weather, humidity, what brand are you using now and finding soft? There are no paints specifically good for 'paint breaks' - it's a matter of personal preference. Old Holland is particularly stiff if you are after something that is not too soft...
you can mix different brands of oil paint together? without causing any problems..
Yes, for sure you can
A lot of artist look down to Windsor andNewton artist oils. Do you know why? I love them
Not really no. Perhaps it is because they are widely known, available and are moderately priced. Perhaps it has lost some of its ‘being special’ by being so popular. I think it is probably one of the most popular brands!
@@SophiePloeg Right, you said it best, consistent, available, predictable, affordable. Who's kidding who, none of us commenting here will be remembered in 400 years, even if we use the most expensive oil paints for our works, but the paintings made with this Windsor and Newton oil paint will last that long, poor as they are!!
I'm a fairly young painter and have been painting for several years. I love oil pants and am not looking for anything super professional as I am nowhere close to a professional but just something I can use that will still be good quality. I prefer working with thicker paint. Which of these would you recommend?
Hi! Thanks for asking! From the list above the only one that is a bit thicker is Old Holland. If you can afford it, I'd try that. W&N also really good around paint. But all the brand mentions are great quality, so buy the best you can afford.
@@SophiePloeg Thank you so much!
If you are in the US - Williamsburg or Rublev are also thicker.
Hi Sopie, you just mentions, you wouldn`t recommend these brands to beginners. What brand would be your advice for beginners? By the way. great video. Regards from Germany.
Hi, Thanks for liking the video! For beginners...well yes, that’s a whole new video really. Can’t really explain all in a couple of lines. It depends on budget. I’d say buy the best you can afford. Professional paint is definitely better than student quality so why hamper yourself with less quality paint if you can afford it. That said, if you are really struggling money-wise and you are just practising and learning than stick to well-known big brands and you can’t go wrong. W&N winton, Schmincke, Talens Rembrandt, Daler Rowney Georgian, just a few from the top of my head. I must do some research and come up with a proper list and do a video! Thanks for asking!
@@SophiePloeg Hi Sophie, thank you for your fast reply and the information. I`m sure lot of us would be glad to see a new video from you about recommended oil paints for beginners. Regards,
@@SophiePloeg Right, a beginning is a very delicate time, and having your art materials fight you is only going to add to the frustration and might make you give it up. I've always been advised and absolutely subscribe to the practice of using the best materials you can afford as a beginner and never ever use "student grade" paints. They are pigment poor!! Winsor and Newton, artist grade is my recommendation, not only for oils but acrylics too (I've used them for wildlife paintings I used to do). Now I paint landscapes en plein air and use a number or brands but always W&N is among the mix, Rembrandt too, since it is a "bonus" sized tube!!
Schmincke norma and Royal talens van Gogh oil paints are good for beginners
have you ever tried Blue Ridge from USA?
No rublev?
Never tried Rublev I’m afraid! Not even sure it is available here in the UK.
@@SophiePloeg Ah i see. I was surprised cause i see it in a lot of other top lists but that makes sense.
@@acaciarogersart I hope to try it soon!
@@SophiePloeg It is via Supreme Paint
@@silvanabaralha8665 I have since tried and reviewed Rublev! See here: www.sophieploeg.com/blog/a-review-of-rublev-oils/
Background music is too loud.
Dear Sophie have you heard of blue ridge oil made by small company in the USA .Thanks for your expertise.
Hi, I know of it but never used it myself, so I can’t comment, sorry.
Blue Ridge is a fantastic paint, family owned, hand made, rich pigments, professional quality at an extremely affordable price. Draw backs are it’s online only, and not as many colors as some other brands, but great company to deal with, never disappointed.
Undisputedly (arguable) Old Holland, are 100% lightfast the best oil paints in the world, second is Schmincke Horadam watercolor.
Lightfastness doesn't depend on the brand but the pigments used. There are more and less lightfast paints in every range.
HI! Could you tell me which is better W&N or Gamblin, I want flow and rich pigment, can't decide which one to buy. Thanks!
I am afraid I can’t tell you because I’ve never tried Gamblin.
thank you!
I've use both W&N and Gamblin; I like them both, remember, you can have a palette of seven colors, including white, and each can be a different brand, for their individual qualities, that's ok., and it works. And they W&N and Gamblin are in the "quality but affordable" range and usually available in most big art stores too, and of course on line.
Both are great brands. I use all of the high quality brands ( like the one mentioned in this video) and also i use gamblin & W&N.
You can mix and experiment with all of them.
W&N are just ok for their price. There are at least 10 brands of higher quality. Their titanium white is barely artist quality.
If I remember well, in a comparison test between Titanium white oils between various brands that I have seen,, W&N sample was doing equally well or even better ( in terms of yellowing) from several other brands ( some of them more expensive..).
Are you sure that you're informed well about this?
What u think of winton ?
the best?
Nice review. Surprised you sound so English. I love Old Holland
thanks! ah yes 20 years on this island now....
Right, Sophie, current location breeds accent, eh? That's a bit of my Canuck birth coming out of this now Yank!! LOL.
Where is the best place to get vasari in the uk? I know Jackson’s used to do it but can’t find anywhere now 😔
Indeed it seems Vasari has pulled it from stores across Europe and want you to buy it directly from them - they do offer free import duty apparently. A real shame.
they all have stabilizers?
the worst painting is van gogh of the brand talents although it is for students more than oil it looks like a cornstarch sausage with chocolate of colors it is washed away with the water and drying a bit impossible to handle it with the brush of natural bristle
Best comment for its shear amusement quality!! :D LOL (five minutes long!).
@@ronschlorff7089 yeah im the best
Agree. It’s less buttery & very gummy.
I'm surprised. I find the Mussina much better than the W&N. I find the Windsor goes on much more uneven when trying to paint a flat, even surface color. Wish I could trade you but we're separated by an ocean.
Cant say I ever paint a flat even surface colour....
I use small amounts and the Mussina has far less oil separation and I have better control with the paint.
@@SophiePloeg btw, your paintings are fabulous.
charmerci thanks so much!