The Ultimate Guide to Artist Oil Paints: Brands, Safety, and Techniques
Oil painting remains one of the most respected and enduring techniques in the art world. Whether you’re a beginner or a professional, understanding the materials, brands, and safety of oil paints is crucial. Below, we answer some of the most frequently searched questions about artist oil paints—covering everything from paint brands to historic painters and health concerns.
What Are the Best Artist Oil Paints?
When it comes to top-quality oil paints, three standout brands often make the shortlist:
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Sennelier Artists’ Oil Colours – Rich in history and made with safflower oil, Sennelier oils are known for their creamy texture and luminous, highly pigmented colours. A favourite among European masters, they’re still handmade in France to this day.
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Williamsburg Handmade Oil Colors – Made in the USA with an artisanal approach, Williamsburg oils are beloved for their buttery consistency and high pigment load. The brand offers a wide range of both modern and historical pigments.
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Van Gogh Oil Colours by Royal Talens – A perfect balance between quality and affordability, these paints offer vivid colours and consistent performance. Ideal for students, hobbyists, and even professionals looking for value without compromise.
What Oil Paint Do Artists Use?
Professional artists typically use high-pigment paints from established brands. Williamsburg and Sennelier are top choices in the studio for their excellent pigment load and subtle handling. Many artists also keep Van Gogh oils on hand for studies or quick sketches because of their excellent value and reliability.
Why Is Oil Paint Illegal in Some Places?
Oil paint for artists is not illegal, but some oil-based paints used in DIY and construction are being phased out due to environmental regulations targeting volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Artist oil paints are still legal, although proper disposal and ventilation are advised.
What Are the Three Rules of Oil Painting?
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Fat over lean – Each layer should contain more oil than the one below to avoid cracking.
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Thick over thin – Apply thicker paint on top to ensure structural integrity.
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Slow drying over fast drying – Helps prevent paint layers from lifting or cracking.
What Paint Do Professional Artists Use?
Professional painters choose materials based on feel, colour brilliance, and longevity. Many lean toward Williamsburg Handmade Oils for serious studio work and Sennelier for its lush colours and silky consistency.
What Oil Paints Did Van Gogh Use?
Van Gogh used oil paints made by Parisian colourmen in the 19th century, often containing natural earth pigments and linseed oil. Today, Royal Talens’ Van Gogh Oil Colours are named in his honour and provide an excellent middle-ground oil paint inspired by his palette and techniques.
Do Artists Prefer Oil or Acrylic?
It depends on the project. Many classical artists still prefer oils for their blendability and texture, while modern artists may choose acrylics for speed and convenience. That said, oil remains the standard for fine art due to its depth and luminosity.
Is Daler Rowney a Good Oil Paint Brand?
Daler Rowney’s Georgian Oils are decent for beginners and budget-conscious painters. However, serious artists often move on to richer, more refined paints like Sennelier or Williamsburg for superior performance and colour.
Are Van Gogh Oil Paints Good?
Yes—Van Gogh Oil Colours offer fantastic value and a smooth, reliable consistency. While classed as student/professional hybrid paints, their quality outperforms many other entry-level brands.
Why Are They Getting Rid of Oil-Based Paint?
Again, this mostly refers to household and industrial paints, not artist oils. The phase-out is due to environmental laws targeting high-VOC coatings, not the fine art sector.
Are Cheap Oil Paints Bad?
Generally, yes. Cheap paints often include fillers and low-quality pigments, resulting in weaker colour, poor coverage, and inconsistent drying. For a cost-effective upgrade, Van Gogh Oils offer great results without breaking the bank.
Why Is Oil Paint So Expensive?
Quality oil paints use pure, finely ground pigments and high-grade binders like linseed or safflower oil. Handmade brands like Williamsburg are particularly costly due to their small-batch production and pigment authenticity.
What Is the Secret to Oil Painting?
Good technique and good materials. Respecting the fat-over-lean principle, allowing proper drying time, and using professional-grade paints like Sennelier or Williamsburg can elevate your work significantly.
Do Oil Paintings Need to Be Covered With Glass?
Generally, no. Oil paintings are traditionally varnished for protection and don’t require glass. However, if the work is on paper or displayed in a high-dust environment, glass may help protect it.
Can I Use Normal Turpentine for Oil Painting?
Yes—but be cautious. While real turpentine can be used to thin paint or clean brushes, many artists now prefer low-odour solvents like Gamsol or even non-toxic alternatives like Zest-It for health and safety.
Did Picasso Use Oil or Acrylic?
Picasso mainly painted with oil during the peak of his career, though he did explore acrylics and mixed media in his later years.
Did Bob Ross Paint With Oil or Acrylic?
Bob Ross used oil paint, specifically a slow-drying formula suitable for his wet-on-wet technique. His go-to was a soft oil base called Liquid White, which kept the canvas workable.
Did David Hockney Use Acrylic or Oil?
David Hockney is known for using both, but he has a strong preference for acrylics, especially for their speed and vibrant, flat colour application in his California-themed works.
What Is the Best Brand of Oil Paint for Beginners?
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Van Gogh Oils (Royal Talens) – Ideal for those stepping up from student paints.
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Sennelier Rive Gauche – A more affordable range from Sennelier with great pigmentation and faster drying.
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Williamsburg Introductory Sets – Pricey but excellent for serious beginners who want to start with top-tier materials.
What Is the Downside of Oil Painting?
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Slow drying
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Toxicity of solvents
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Longer clean-up
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Requires good ventilation and storage space
That said, with newer low-tox options and water-mixable oils, many of these issues can be minimised.
Why Is Oil-Based Paint Illegal?
Again, this only applies to VOC-heavy construction paints. Artist oil paints remain legal and widely available, though safety guidelines around their use are increasingly important.
Did Van Gogh Use Oil or Acrylic?
Oil, exclusively. Acrylics didn’t exist during his time.
What Does Bob Ross Put on His Canvas Before Painting?
A thin layer of Liquid White—an oil-based primer that stays wet—enabled Ross to blend colours directly on the canvas.
Do Famous Painters Use Oil or Acrylic?
Most classical artists (Van Gogh, Monet, Rembrandt) used oil, while many modern and contemporary painters (Hockney, Warhol) explored acrylic as it became available in the mid-20th century.
Why Is Oil-Based Paint Being Phased Out?
This mostly concerns commercial and DIY coatings, not artist materials. However, safe use and proper disposal are essential due to the chemicals involved.
Why Is Oil Paint So Toxic?
Some pigments (e.g. cadmium, lead white) are toxic if ingested or inhaled. Solvents can also emit harmful fumes. Use non-toxic alternatives, wear gloves, and ventilate your space well.
What Is the Flash Point of Oil Paints?
The flash point of linseed oil is around 600°F (315°C), but the biggest risk is spontaneous combustion of oil-soaked rags. Always dispose of rags in a sealed, fireproof container.
Final Thoughts
Oil painting is a richly rewarding medium, steeped in tradition and still loved by contemporary artists. Whether you’re just starting or upgrading your kit, brands like Sennelier, Williamsburg, and Van Gogh offer something for every skill level and budget.
Explore our range of oil paints here and find the perfect colours to bring your vision to life.