Winsor & Newton’s Artists’ Oil Colours have earned their reputation through reliability and accessibility.
Winsor & Newton’s Artists’ Oil Colours have earned their reputation through reliability and accessibility.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4.5/5)
Best for: Experienced artists seeking consistency, availability, and balanced performance.
They’re professional-grade paints that are easier to find and slightly more affordable than handmade brands, yet they deliver steady performance across an impressive palette of over 120 colours.
The texture is smooth and moderately firm, with excellent brushing and mixing qualities. They handle beautifully in alla prima and glazing techniques. Colours such as Cerulean Blue and Yellow Ochre Light offer good tinting strength without overpowering mixes. They dry evenly with minimal sinking, which is important for consistent varnishing.
While some hues use blends or modern replacements (e.g. synthetic cadmiums), the pigment quality remains strong and lightfast. The extended range gives painters flexibility across traditional and contemporary palettes. I particularly value Transparent Red Oxide and Cobalt Violet Hue for nuanced colour transitions.
Their value lies in dependability: a consistent tube from batch to batch, with solid colour accuracy. The price point makes them a practical mainstay in most professional studios.
“Winsor & Newton oils strike a fine balance between tradition and modern practicality. They’re the workhorse of professional studios — versatile, predictable, and widely available.”