Essential Guide to Oil Paint Lightfastness and Quality Selection
An artist's guide outlines four key factors for selecting oil paints based on professional experience and research. The guide emphasizes checking transparency levels, pigment lightfastness ratings, oil types used, and filler content. Lightfastness is determined by pigment composition, with ratings indicated on tubes (I being highest). Professional brands like Rublev Colors, Old Holland, and Michael Harding are recommended. The author references resources including Natural Pigments director George O'Hanlon and artist Virgil Elliott for further information.
Key facts
- Oil paint lightfastness depends on pigment composition, with ratings from I (highest) to IV (lowest) marked on tubes.
- Transparency levels affect painting techniques like glazing and scumbling, indicated by symbols or notes on packaging.
- Linseed oil is the most stable binder, while safflower oil should be avoided for longevity.
- Fillers and binders extend shelf life but reduce pigment concentration; professional brands minimize these additives.
- Artists can perform sun exposure tests to verify lightfastness, and resources like artiscreation.com provide pigment databases.
Entities
Artists
- George O'Hanlon
- Virgil Elliott
- Graydon Parrish
- Douglas Flynt
- Sadie Valerie
- Ralph Mayer
Institutions
- Natural Pigments
- Rublev Colors
- Old Holland
- Michael Harding
- Gamblin
- Chroma
- Utrecht
- dardecor
Locations
- Spain