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Winsor & Newton Artist’s Oil Paints — Complete Range Review

Winsor & Newton artist's oil paints

By Clara — Professional Oil Painter

Winsor & Newton are one of the most respected names in artists’ materials, and their Winsor & Newton oil paint ranges are as diverse as they are dependable. Whether you’re a professional painter seeking archival-quality colour or a beginner learning to control the brush, there’s a Winsor & Newton oil paint made for you.

Below, I review all the main types of Winsor & Newton artist’s oil paints — what makes each unique, how they feel to work with, and when to use them.

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Table of Contents

Winsor & Newton Artist’s Oil Paints – Professional

Professional Grade | Highest Pigment Load | Archival Quality

Overview

Winsor & Newton’s Artist’s Oil Colour range represents the company’s finest traditional oils — single pigments where possible, carefully ground to perfection, and made with pure linseed or safflower oil. The range covers over 130 colours, from classic cadmiums to delicate transparent glazes.

Texture & Handling

Rich and buttery straight from the tube, these paints respond beautifully to brush or knife. Each colour dries at its natural rate (usually 2–5 days), allowing traditional techniques like glazing, impasto, and scumbling.

Finish & Permanence

Lightfastness is exceptional. Once dry, the finish ranges from satin to glossy depending on pigment and medium.

When to Use

For professional and exhibition work where permanence, vibrancy, and pigment purity matter most.

Customer Feedback Summary

  • “Unbeatable colour depth — even the earth tones glow.”

  • “A pleasure to mix — buttery but never greasy.”

  • “Expensive, but you get what you pay for.”

 

✅ Pros: Superb pigment load, traditional feel, archival quality

❌ Cons: Premium price, slower drying for some colours

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Winsor & Newton Winton Oil Colour – Student

Student / Studio Grade | Affordable | Reliable Consistency

Overview

The Winton Oil Colour line offers quality oils at a modest price, using modern, economical pigments that still maintain permanence. With over 50 colours, it’s ideal for learning or for large-scale work.

Texture & Handling

Smooth and even — slightly less buttery than Artist’s Oils but easy to spread. Pigments are less intense, but this can actually help when learning colour control.

Finish & Permanence

Semi-gloss finish, good lightfastness across the range.

When to Use

Best for students, hobbyists, and artists needing good results at a lower cost. Excellent for underpaintings or practice canvases.

Customer Feedback Summary

  • “Surprisingly strong colour for a student range.”

  • “Handles beautifully for beginners.”

  • “Great value for workshops and classes.”

✅ Pros: Affordable, consistent texture, widely available

❌ Cons: Lower pigment load, less intensity in mixes

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Winsor & Newton Artisan Water Mixable Oil Colour

Solvent-Free | Real Oil Paint | Cleaner Studio Air

Overview

Artisan Water Mixable Oils are a brilliant innovation: genuine linseed and safflower oil paints modified to mix and clean up with water. No turpentine, no fumes — just oil painting made safer and simpler.

Texture & Handling

Smooth and creamy, though slightly shorter in body than traditional oils. Mix with water or Artisan mediums for full flexibility. Drying time is comparable to standard oils (2–5 days).

Finish & Permanence

Matte to satin finish. Adding Artisan Linseed or Fast-Drying Medium restores gloss and richness.

When to Use

Perfect for artists who can’t or don’t want to use solvents, including teachers, students, or painters working from home.

Customer Feedback Summary

  • “No more headaches from turpentine!”

  • “Feels like real oil paint — not a gimmick.”

  • “Dries evenly, great colour range.”

✅ Pros: Solvent-free, easy cleanup, authentic oil feel

❌ Cons: Slightly duller if thinned with too much water

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Winsor & Newton Griffin Alkyd Fast Drying Oil Colour

Modern Formula | Fast-Drying | High Gloss Finish

Overview

Griffin Alkyd Oils use an alkyd resin binder instead of pure oil, allowing the paint to dry within 18–24 hours. They maintain a true oil look but with modern speed and flexibility.

Texture & Handling

Slightly more fluid than traditional oils — excellent for smooth blending and thin layering. Shorter working time means you must paint decisively, but it rewards you with quick reworkable layers.

Finish & Permanence

Glossy finish with rich saturation and strong film durability.

When to Use

Ideal for alla prima, plein-air, or time-sensitive studio work. A great match for artists who want oil richness without long drying delays.

Customer Feedback Summary

  • “My go-to for quick studies and commissions.”

  • “Dries evenly overnight — a game-changer.”

  • “Slightly less open time, but worth it.”

✅ Pros: Fast drying, vibrant gloss, modern durability

❌ Cons: Less blending time

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Winsor & Newton Mediums & Additives

A strong paint range deserves strong companions, and Winsor & Newton’s mediums complete the picture.

  • Liquin Original – Speeds drying and improves flow for traditional oils.

  • Refined Linseed Oil – Enhances gloss and transparency.

  • Artisan Linseed & Thinner – Designed specifically for water mixable oils.

  • Griffin Alkyd Medium – Extends flow and maintains fast drying.

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Clara’s Verdict

Winsor & Newton’s oil paint range covers the entire artistic spectrum — from beginners to professionals, from solvent-free studios to high-speed production.

  • For museum-quality results, go with Artist’s Oils.

  • For affordable experimentation, Winton is unbeatable.

  • For solvent-free safety, Artisan is the most practical choice.

  • For speed and convenience, Griffin Alkyds win hands down.

Each line reflects Winsor & Newton’s hallmark consistency and craftsmanship — reliable, vibrant, and a joy to paint with.