Michael Harding Artists Oil Paints

Michael Harding Oil Paints:

A Professional Review by Clara Wren

As a professional oil painter, the quality of my materials can make or break a piece. Over the years, I’ve experimented with many brands, and Michael Harding oil paints consistently stand out. Their rich pigments and buttery consistency allow me to achieve both subtle glazes and bold impasto. If you’re serious about oils, having reliable paints is essential. You can explore the range I use here on Amazon.

Materials & Preparation:
Michael Harding oils are artist-grade and formulated with high pigment load. I particularly appreciate their linseed-oil-based consistency, which spreads smoothly on primed canvas without unnecessary thinning. For my larger works, I often pair these paints with stretched linen canvases for maximum texture retention.

Technique & Practice Tips:
These paints perform beautifully in both layering and blending. Using a palette knife, I can create impasto highlights that retain clarity even after drying. Their slow drying time allows flexibility for detailed work and subtle colour transitions.

Troubleshooting / Common Mistakes:
Beginners sometimes over-thin oil paints, which can compromise colour intensity. I recommend starting with the paint straight from the tube and gradually adding medium if needed. Also, always follow the fat-over-lean principle to avoid cracking.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)

Best for: Professional artists who want uncompromising pigment quality and handling.

Overview

Every tube feels crafted with the painter in mind — from the buttery texture to the extraordinary pigment load. Harding’s aim to “create colours that excite the eye” is immediately evident once the paint hits the canvas.

Performance

The consistency is luxurious: smooth, pliable, and richly pigmented without the waxiness that some machine-filled oils can have. Colours like Cadmium Red Deep and Ultramarine Blue are intense yet mix cleanly, never greying out mid-blend. The drying time is moderate, allowing comfortable working time for blending and glazing.

Pigment Quality & Range

Each paint is made with single, high-quality pigments wherever possible, giving clarity and depth that’s hard to beat. Their Lead White No. 1 remains a benchmark for traditionalists, while modern pigments such as Perylene Black and Quinacridone Gold show how the range has expanded with contemporary practice in mind.

Value

These paints are expensive — but you use less per stroke because of the pigment density. For professional work, that efficiency offsets the price.

Verdict

For artists ready to invest in professional materials, Michael Harding oils offer longevity, depth, and reliability. Find them here and experience the difference in your own work.

“Michael Harding oils are a painter’s paint — the tactile quality and purity of pigment encourage expressive, confident work. If you want to know what top-tier oil paint should feel like, this is it.”