AdurArt

Top 8 Artists Grade Oil Paints

Reviewed by Clara Wren

top 8 artists grade oil paints

Here’s a ranked comparison of my top 8 artists grade oil paints that consistently get good reviews and are available in the UK (or shippable to the UK). As you’re an experienced UK-based artist selling work, I’ve emphasised artist-grade rather than student-grade, and included pros/cons so you can pick what best aligns with your workflow, price-point and style.

    Table of Contents

    1. Michael Harding Oil Colour

    Why it stands out:
    • UK-made, handcrafted in small batches, strong reputation for high pigment load. E.g., one reviewer: “hand-made paints and mediums are absolutely divine. Excellent pigment, consistency, mixability, opacity, range.” painters-online.co.uk
    • Another review: “Strong pigment and excellent transparency… jam packed with top quality pigment.” Malcolm Dewey Fine Art
    • The brand emphasises that they use no fillers/driers in some ranges, letting each colour’s pigment personality show through. Jackson’s Art Supplies
    Things to consider:
    • Premium price point (higher cost per tube) – you’ll pay more compared to many other pro brands.
    • Because of the very rich pigment and perhaps less standardisation among colours (due to “no fillers” and variation), you might want to test how the consistency fits your style (impasto vs glazing etc).
    • Availability: Good in the UK, but some specific colours may have longer lead times.
    Recommendation for you:

    If you’re producing work for sale and want “top of the tree” quality, this is a great choice for your main range. Use maybe for key pieces where you want the absolute best pigment and finish.

    2. Winsor & Newton Artists’ Oil Colour

    Why it stands out:
    • A very established brand, worldwide. The “Artists’” range is the professional line (distinct from their student ranges). For example, one user said: “Their ‘Artists’ range is of much higher professional quality.” Reddit
    • Review-site: “According to Winsor & Newton, 99% of the Artists’ Oil Colour are lightfast (meaning they won’t fade when exposed to light).” Parka Blogs
    • Consistent supply in the UK; good availability of tubes and sets.
    Things to consider:
    • Some users point out issues: “Winsor & Newton: … issues with runniness and oil separation, and reviews suggest that pigment load isn’t great.” wetcanvas.com So while strong, it may not be the absolute top pigment load compared to bespoke/high-artisan brands.
    • As a super experienced painter, you’ll want to check for each pigment you use how strong the tinting strength is, how the drying behaviour fits your technique.
    Recommendation for you:

    Great all-round pro choice, perhaps your “workhorse” brand: reliable, good value, available. Especially useful when you are doing larger volumes or pieces that don’t necessarily need the ultra-premium cost.

    3. Jackson’s Professional/Artist Oil Paint

    Why it stands out:
    • UK-brand (Jackson’s Art Supplies) offering their own artist-oil range. One review: “buttery, silky consistency… glaze beautifully… retain a rich hue true to what you should expect in a premium oil paint.” Jackson’s Art Supplies
    • Another: “All the paints felt lovely under the brush, creamy and smooth with a generous pigment load.” painters-online.co.uk
    • Good value relative to very high top-tier brands.
    Things to consider:
    • Some forum users raise caution: “I looked over the Jackson’s pigment combinations … they seem like student paints, even though they are listed as Artist grade.” wetcanvas.com So you might want to evaluate certain colours carefully (pigment list, single pigment vs mixed hue).
    • If you are very demanding on highest pigment load and special pigments, you might find some limitations compared to ultra-premium.
    Recommendation for you:

    A strong choice, especially if you have many paintings (studies, exhibitions) and you want excellent quality, but perhaps at a slightly more moderate cost. Good candidate for “secondary” brand or for larger volume work.

    4. Rembrandt Oil Paint

    Why it stands out:
    • A recognised European brand (Royal Talens) with professional-grade oil paints.
    • Often praised for “classic” behaviour among fine artists; good balance of quality and cost. (While I didn’t gather deep recent UK-specific reviews here, it is widely recommended).
    • Good choice if you want something outside UK brands but still premium.
    Things to consider:
    • Availability in UK and shipping cost should be checked (duty, shipping) though many UK art-suppliers stock it.
    • Check pigment lists per colour. Some may be blended/hue colours depending on your budget and needs.
    Recommendation for you:

    Good “third brand” option if you want to diversify your palette or try different brands for specific pigments.

    5. Maimeri Classico Fine Art Oil Paint

    Why it stands out:
    • Italian fine-art brand, professional grade, respected especially among European artists.
    • Could offer interesting pigment colours, slightly different formulations, offering alternative feel/textures which might appeal if you’re experimenting or want variety.
    Things to consider:
    • Possibly less UK-specific reviews compared to UK brands, so you might want to test before committing.
    • Might have slightly different consistency/behaviour; match it with your technique (you have decades of experience so your “feel” for what you like really counts).
    Recommendation for you:

    Good for trying out a different brand or for specific pigments you like from Maimeri. Not necessarily your main brand unless you find you prefer its feel.

    6. Cranfield Artists’ Oil Colours Professional Range

    Why it stands out:
    • UK brand offering large-tube professional range (225ml, etc) which is useful for larger canvases or plenty of work.
    • Good if you often paint larger pieces and consume a lot of paint.
    Things to consider:
    • While professional range, you’ll still want to check pigment list and consistency for the specific colours you use (pigment + binder + oil ratio matter a lot).
    • Availability of full range of colours (some pigment names may be limited).
    Recommendation for you:

    If you have large canvases and use large quantities, this can help costwise. Use alongside your higher-end brand for key pigments.

    7. Michael Harding Titanium White 2 Oil Paint

    Why it stands out:
    • This is a specific tube of white from Michael Harding (Ultra-premium). White is a special pigment tube in oil painting: quality, opacity, and consistency matter a lot.
    • If you decide to commit to Michael Harding brand, having a top-quality white from the same brand makes sense (consistency across your palette).
    Things to consider:
    • Even among white tubes, some brands vary in drying behaviour, handling, how they mix, how they dominate the palette.
    • Because white gets used in large quantities, the cost per ml is more significant.
    Recommendation for you:

    If you choose Michael Harding as your primary brand, then get their premium white. Otherwise, choose a high-quality white consistent with your main brand to avoid mismatches in behaviour.

    8. Winton Oil Paint Set (student‑grade)

    Why it’s included:
    • Although you’re clearly in the “professional / sale” arena, it’s still useful to know about a budget/student-grade line so you can decide when it doesn’t make sense (or when cheaper is acceptable). For example one Reddit reviewer:

    “Winton oils are fine to start with … they don’t have as much pigment … you won’t get as much coverage as with artist grade paint.” Reddit

    • If you ever do preparatory works, studies, sketches, or less-expensive pieces, you might use a student-grade line to save cost, but with awareness of its limitations.
    Things to consider:
    • For artwork you sell and expect longevity & high quality, staying within artist-grade is advisable (pigment load, lightfastness, film stability). wetcanvas.com
    • Student-grade may fade quicker, mix differently, have lower pigment strength and more fillers. One article noted “less pigment … up to as little as 23% pigment compared to 75% in professional oils.” Artists & Illustrators
    Recommendation for you:

    Use for non-critical works, experimentation, or pieces offered at lower price points (if you choose to segment your offering). But for key pieces aimed at collectors, professional grade is worth the investment.

    My recommended “palette strategy” for you

    Given your background (many years painting, selling originals, wanting to present professionally) and UK setting, here’s a tailored strategy:

    1. Primary brand: Choose one brand as your go-to for flagship works. Based on reviews, I’d lean toward Michael Harding or Winsor & Newton Artists’. If budget allows and you prioritise highest pigment and finish, go Michael Harding; if you want very strong reliability + somewhat better cost/value, go Winsor & Newton.
    2. Secondary brand: Choose a second brand (e.g., Jackson’s or Maimeri) for pigments that your primary brand either doesn’t stock in your preferred pigment/formula, or for larger volumes/canvases where cost is more critical.
    3. White and neutrals focus: Since white, neutrals, and oxides are heavily used, invest in top-quality white (so if you go Michael Harding, use their white) and ensure your presence of pigment load is strong. White often dominates cost because you use a lot.
    4. Large scale / cost-sensitive works: For larger paintings, or works offered at lower price points (for example art-trail pieces, student market, or “entry level” works), consider using the professional large-tube range (e.g., Cranfield) or even carefully selected student-grade colours (like Winton) under the condition you disclose “artist grade pigment” or the level of finish—not misleading collectors.
    5. Test set-up: Buy a small selection of tubes from each brand you are considering (especially your “primary brand” choice) and test them side by side in your typical style (brush stroke, impasto vs glazing, drying behaviour). Because you’ve been painting for decades, your feel for the paint is very important.
    6. Pigment list and lightfastness: As you will be selling work, emphasise in your materials info (maybe on your website or when marketing) that you use high-pigment, lightfast professional oil paints—collectors like that. e.g., Winsor & Newton claim 99% of their Artists’ line is lightfast. Parka Blogs
    7. Cost vs price strategy: Since premium oil brands cost more, incorporate that into your cost/price calculations: pigment cost, tube size, wastage, mixing, cleaning. But ensure that you’re not over-charging relative to market; use the premium quality as a selling point to justify your price.