You’re likely familiar with Winsor & Newton’s reputation for quality, but you might not know which specific oil paint sets truly deserve your investment. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or building your first collection, selecting the right set can dramatically impact your work. We’ve narrowed down seven standout options that artists consistently rely on—and understanding why each excels matters.
Quick Overview
- Winsor and Newton oil paints use ASTM AA or A rated lightfast pigments ensuring artwork remains vibrant for generations.
- Varying viscosity levels accommodate different techniques, from fluid washes and glazes to thick impasto applications.
- Extensive color range includes vibrant cadmiums, earth tones, and single-pigment options for precise custom color mixing.
- Drying times vary predictably across formulations, enabling efficient layering, glazing, and extended working periods for blending.
- Water-mixable options provide convenient cleanup using water alone, eliminating harsh solvent requirements for studio maintenance.
| Winsor & Newton Artisan Painting Medium 250ml (8.4-oz) bottle |
| Best Medium | Product Type: Painting medium | Permanence/Lightfastness Rating: Not specified | Size/Volume: 250ml (8.4 oz) | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis |
| Winsor & Newton Artists’ Oil Color 37ml (1.25 oz) Tube Alizarin Crimson |
| Professional Single Pigment | Product Type: Single oil color tube | Permanence/Lightfastness Rating: AA or A rated | Size/Volume: 37ml (1.25 oz) single tube | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis |
| Winsor & Newton Artists’ Oil Colour Paint Set (10-Pack) |
| Best Introductory Set | Product Type: Oil color paint set (10-pack) | Permanence/Lightfastness Rating: Professional quality | Size/Volume: 10 x 21ml tubes | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis |
| Winsor & Newton Winton Oil Color Paint Set 20 x 12ml (0.4-oz) Tubes |
| Best Starter Kit | Product Type: Oil color paint set (20-pack) | Permanence/Lightfastness Rating: Lightfast and permanent | Size/Volume: 20 x 12ml tubes | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis |
| Winsor & Newton Galeria Acrylics – Cadmium Yellow Medium Hue – 200ml Tube |
| Budget-Friendly Alternative | Product Type: Acrylic paint tube | Permanence/Lightfastness Rating: ASTM I – Excellent | Size/Volume: 200ml (6.8 oz) | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis |
| Winsor & Newton Winton Oil Color 200ml (6.75-oz) Tube Titanium White |
| Best White Paint | Product Type: Oil color tube | Permanence/Lightfastness Rating: AA – Extremely Permanent/ASTM I | Size/Volume: 200ml (6.75 oz) | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis |
| Winsor & Newton Artisan Water Mixable Oil Colour |
| Best Water-Soluble Option | Product Type: Water mixable oil color tube | Permanence/Lightfastness Rating: AA – Permanent | Size/Volume: 200ml (6.75 oz) | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis |
More Details on Our Top Picks
Winsor & Newton Artisan Painting Medium 250ml (8.4-oz) bottle
If you’re working with water-soluble oil paints and want a cleanup solution that doesn’t require harsh solvents, Winsor & Newton’s Artisan Painting Medium is your ideal choice. This 250ml bottle reduces paint consistency while boosting luminosity and flexibility, letting you achieve smoother applications and richer color depth. You’ll appreciate its resistance to yellowing, ensuring your artwork maintains its vibrancy over time. The medium excels at oiling out and enriching dull patches, reviving flat areas effortlessly. Since it cleans up with water and thins with artisan thinner, you’ll simplify your studio routine considerably. Its slow drying time gives you extended working periods, allowing thoughtful blending and refinement without rushing.
- Product Type:Painting medium
- Permanence/Lightfastness Rating:Not specified
- Size/Volume:250ml (8.4 oz)
- Intended Skill Level:All levels
- Cleanup Method:Water
- Color Selection:N/A – Medium only
- Additional Feature:Increases luminosity and flexibility
- Additional Feature:Resists yellowing
- Additional Feature:Ideal for oiling out
Winsor & Newton Artists’ Oil Color 37ml (1.25 oz) Tube Alizarin Crimson
Winsor & Newton Artists’ Oil Color in Alizarin Crimson delivers the precision and quality that serious painters demand. You’ll appreciate this synthetic lake pigment’s deep, transparent red with bluish undertones that bring sophistication to your palette. The 37ml tube offers ideal pigment-to-oil balance, giving you excellent tinting strength and coverage without compromise. With AA-rated lightfastness and permanence, your work won’t fade over time. The single pigment formulation guarantees consistent, reliable results across your projects. Whether you’re working indoors or outdoors, this professional-grade paint performs exceptionally, earning its impressive 4.8-star rating among serious artists.
- Product Type:Single oil color tube
- Permanence/Lightfastness Rating:AA or A rated
- Size/Volume:37ml (1.25 oz) single tube
- Intended Skill Level:Professional/Artist
- Cleanup Method:Solvents (conventional)
- Color Selection:Single color (Alizarin Crimson)
- Additional Feature:Single pigment formulation
- Additional Feature:Deep transparent red undertone
- Additional Feature:Highest tinting strength available
Winsor & Newton Artists’ Oil Colour Paint Set (10-Pack)
For artists seeking a professional-grade introduction to oil painting, the Winsor & Newton Artists’ Oil Colour Paint Set (10-Pack) delivers exceptional quality without requiring a substantial investment. You’ll receive ten 21ml tubes containing the essential colors you need: Winsor Yellow, Crimson Alizarine, Winsor Blue (Red Hue), Winsor Green, Yellow Ochre, Indian Red, Burnt Umber, Ivory Black, and Titanium White. These paints are crafted from the finest pigments, ensuring professional results from your first brushstroke. The introductory set’s thoughtful color selection gives you everything necessary to begin mixing and exploring oil painting techniques. You’re getting authentic Winsor & Newton quality in a compact, affordable package that won’t compromise on performance or pigment excellence.
- Product Type:Oil color paint set (10-pack)
- Permanence/Lightfastness Rating:Professional quality
- Size/Volume:10 x 21ml tubes
- Intended Skill Level:Introductory/Professional
- Cleanup Method:Solvents (conventional)
- Color Selection:10 colors (primary set)
- Additional Feature:Ten professional quality tubes
- Additional Feature:Finest pigments available
- Additional Feature:Complete color mixing foundation
Winsor & Newton Winton Oil Color Paint Set 20 x 12ml (0.4-oz) Tubes
Anyone picking up oil painting for the first time will find everything they need in this 20-color starter set. You’ll get essential hues ranging from vibrant cadmiums to deep earth tones, all made from quality fine art pigments that won’t fade. The paints maintain excellent brush and palette knife strokes with uniform, slightly stiffer consistency than professional grades. Each 12ml tube offers genuine lightfast pigments, so your work stays vibrant for years. You can apply these oils to canvas, board, or primed paper, and they’ll cure within 24 hours. With 4.8 stars from nearly 5,000 reviews, this set delivers professional-quality results without the professional price tag.
- Product Type:Oil color paint set (20-pack)
- Permanence/Lightfastness Rating:Lightfast and permanent
- Size/Volume:20 x 12ml tubes
- Intended Skill Level:Beginners/Starter
- Cleanup Method:Solvents (conventional)
- Color Selection:20 colors (comprehensive starter)
- Additional Feature:20 essential starter colors
- Additional Feature:Excellent brush stroke retention
- Additional Feature:Stiffer consistency than Artists
Winsor & Newton Galeria Acrylics – Cadmium Yellow Medium Hue – 200ml Tube
The Galeria Acrylic line’s Cadmium Yellow Medium Hue offers you professional-grade results at an accessible price point, making it ideal if you’re seeking high-quality acrylics without premium costs. This 200ml tube delivers excellent brilliance and pigment strength with a smooth satin finish that retains brush strokes beautifully. You’ll appreciate its ASTM I lightfastness rating, ensuring your artwork won’t fade over time. The opaque formulation provides strong coverage, while its water-repellent properties protect finished pieces. With a permanence rating of A and consistent 4.8-star customer reviews, this yellow hue becomes a reliable workhorse in your acrylic palette for vibrant, durable paintings.
- Product Type:Acrylic paint tube
- Permanence/Lightfastness Rating:ASTM I – Excellent
- Size/Volume:200ml (6.8 oz)
- Intended Skill Level:Professional
- Cleanup Method:Water
- Color Selection:Single color (Cadmium Yellow Medium Hue)
- Additional Feature:Strong brush stroke retention
- Additional Feature:Smooth satin finish
- Additional Feature:Water repellent formula
Winsor & Newton Winton Oil Color 200ml (6.75-oz) Tube Titanium White
Titanium White in Winsor & Newton’s Winton Oil Color line offers artists an exceptionally versatile, high-quality foundation pigment you’ll rely on repeatedly. This 200ml tube delivers pure opacity that you’ll appreciate when mixing custom shades or establishing highlights. With its AA permanence rating and ASTM I lightfastness, you’re guaranteed your work won’t fade or yellow over time. The pigment’s opaque quality makes it ideal for layering and glazing techniques. You’ll find the Series 1 classification reflects its accessibility and affordability without compromising quality. Whether you’re a beginner establishing your oil painting toolkit or an experienced artist restocking essentials, this Titanium White provides the reliable coverage and longevity serious painters demand.
- Product Type:Oil color tube
- Permanence/Lightfastness Rating:AA – Extremely Permanent/ASTM I
- Size/Volume:200ml (6.75 oz)
- Intended Skill Level:All levels
- Cleanup Method:Solvents (conventional)
- Color Selection:Single color (Titanium White)
- Additional Feature:ASTM I lightfastness rating
- Additional Feature:Opaque coverage formulation
- Additional Feature:Extremely permanent pigment
Winsor & Newton Artisan Water Mixable Oil Colour
If you’re an artist seeking genuine oil paint without the hassle of harsh solvents, Winsor & Newton Artisan Water Mixable Oil Colour is your ideal solution. This 200ml tube of Titanium White delivers authentic oil paint performance while eliminating conventional solvents entirely. You’ll appreciate the convenience of cleaning brushes with just water, making studio maintenance effortless. The paint features opaque coverage and AA permanence rating, ensuring your artwork remains vibrant for decades. With its Series 1 classification and ASTM D4236 conformance, you’re investing in professional-quality color that combines traditional oil painting benefits with modern, eco-conscious practicality.
- Product Type:Water mixable oil color tube
- Permanence/Lightfastness Rating:AA – Permanent
- Size/Volume:200ml (6.75 oz)
- Intended Skill Level:All levels
- Cleanup Method:Water
- Color Selection:Single color (Titanium White)
- Additional Feature:Avoids conventional solvents
- Additional Feature:Genuine oil color quality
- Additional Feature:ASTM D4236 conformance
Factors to Consider When Choosing Winsor and Newton Oil Paint
When you’re selecting Winsor and Newton oil paints, you’ll want to evaluate pigment quality and permanence to guarantee your artwork lasts, consider the paint’s consistency and texture since they affect your brushwork and blending capabilities, and examine the color range available to match your artistic vision. You’ll also need to account for drying times, as some formulations set faster than others, which impacts your workflow and layering techniques. Finally, you should assess cleanup requirements and solvent compatibility, particularly if you’re using water-mixable options versus traditional oils that demand mineral spirits or turpentine.
Pigment Quality and Permanence
Because color stability determines whether your paintings will retain their vibrancy for generations, you’ll want to prioritize pigment quality when selecting Winsor & Newton oils. The brand uses highly permanent, lightfast pigments rated AA or A on the ASTM scale, ensuring your work resists fading over time.
Winsor & Newton’s scientific manufacturing process balances pigment-to-oil ratios precisely, maximizing tinting strength and coverage. This precision means you’ll achieve better results with less paint, stretching your budget further.
The brand’s single-pigment color range empowers you to mix custom hues confidently. Since each pigment maintains excellent permanence ratings, you’ll know your unique combinations won’t deteriorate.
This commitment to quality and permanence has made Winsor & Newton the trusted choice among professional and aspiring artists alike.
Paint Consistency and Texture
Beyond selecting pigments that’ll stand the test of time, you’ll also want to ponder how Winsor & Newton’s oils handle on your canvas. The brand offers varying viscosity levels across their range, giving you flexibility in achieving your desired effects. Thinner, more fluid formulas work beautifully for washes and glazes, allowing transparent layers to build smoothly. Conversely, their stiff, heavily pigmented paints excel at impasto applications, creating bold texture and dimension. You’re not locked into one consistency either—mediums and solvents let you customize flow and handling properties to match your technique. By understanding these differences across Winsor & Newton’s oil color lineup, you’ll confidently select textures that align with your specific painting needs and artistic vision.
Drying Time Considerations
Unlike faster-drying mediums, Winsor & Newton oil paints require patience—a factor you’ll need to account for in your workflow. Drying times vary greatly depending on the specific color pigment you’re using, so you’ll want to research individual pigments before starting your project.
Environmental conditions play a pivotal role in how quickly your paint dries. You’ll notice that humidity and temperature substantially impact drying speed, meaning your studio conditions directly affect your timeline.
If you’re working on tight deadlines, you’ve got options. Incorporating drying agents into your paint accelerates the process without compromising quality. However, you’ll still need to allow proper drying time between layers—rushing this step risks muddying colors and compromising the final result. Planning ahead certifies you work efficiently within oil painting’s natural pace.
Color Range Available
Once you’ve mastered drying time management, you’re ready to explore the colors themselves. Winsor & Newton offers over 200 oil paint colors across their product lines, giving you extensive options to match your artistic vision. You’ll find primary colors, secondary shades, and intricate tertiary hues that cater to virtually every painting need.
The company utilizes synthetic, organic, and mineral-based pigments, each providing distinct characteristics. This variety guarantees you can achieve specific effects and achieve the exact tones you’re seeking. Every color delivers excellent lightfastness, so your finished work won’t fade over time. You’ll also benefit from outstanding opacity and tinting strength, meaning your colors remain vibrant and powerful.
Winsor & Newton continuously refines their palette based on artist feedback, assuring you always have access to contemporary, relevant colors that meet your evolving creative requirements.
Cleanup and Solvent Requirements
One of the most appealing aspects of Winsor & Newton oil paints is their water-soluble formulation, which eliminates your need for harsh chemical solvents during cleanup. You’ll find that thinning and cleaning your brushes becomes remarkably simple—just use water instead of traditional turpentine or mineral spirits.
This water-mixable technology offers you significant practical advantages. You avoid exposing yourself to toxic fumes and reduce environmental impact during your creative process. Your studio becomes a healthier, more pleasant workspace without strong chemical odors lingering on your clothes, skin, or equipment.
Additionally, you’ll appreciate the cost savings from eliminating solvent purchases. Water-based cleanup means faster shifts between painting sessions and less time spent on maintenance. These user-friendly characteristics make Winsor & Newton oil paints an excellent choice for artists prioritizing both convenience and safety.
Budget and Tube Sizes
When you’re investing in Winsor & Newton oil paints, tube size and overall cost directly impact your purchasing decisions. Smaller 37ml tubes suit hobbyists and those testing colors, while larger 200ml tubes offer better value for frequent painters. You’ll find starter sets range from $50 to $150, containing essential colors in modest quantities. Professional sets typically cost $200-$500, featuring expanded palettes and larger tubes. Consider your budget realistically—don’t overspend on colors you won’t use regularly. Beginners benefit from smaller sets covering basics, while experienced artists justify larger investments through consistent use. Compare price-per-milliliter across different set options to maximize value. You can always expand your collection gradually rather than purchasing everything upfront.
Surface Compatibility and Application
Your choice of Winsor & Newton oil paints should account for the surfaces you’ll paint on and how you’ll apply them. These paints work excellently on canvas, wood panels, and primed paper, giving you flexibility in your projects.
You’ll appreciate how you can adjust the paint’s viscosity by adding mediums or solvents, tailoring the consistency to match your technique. Whether you’re building thin glazes or thick impasto applications, Winsor & Newton formulations respond well to these modifications.
The paint’s superior coverage and opacity enable you to layer and blend effectively, creating sophisticated compositions. However, remember that drying times vary based on pigment selection, so you’ll need to plan your workflow accordingly. Always prime your surfaces properly to guarantee adhesion and prevent cracking or flaking over time.
