Your artistic palette is like a musician’s instrument—it demands precision and quality. You’ve likely searched for oil paints that don’t compromise on pigment concentration or drying performance. M. Graham offers sets that professionals consistently choose, but what makes certain collections stand out from the rest? The answer lies in understanding which combinations actually deliver the results you’re seeking.
Quick Overview
- M. Graham’s walnut oil base eliminates yellowing, preserving paint vibrancy and brilliance over decades.
- High pigment concentration ensures intense, long-lasting colors with lightfastness ratings I or II for permanence.
- Solvent-free formula provides traditional oil painting experience while eliminating harsh fumes and health concerns.
- Included mediums enable artists to customize drying times and achieve various blending or impasto effects.
- Studio-size tube sets offer essential colors plus specialty pigments, providing versatile palettes for diverse artistic visions.
| M. Graham Oil Paint Basic Color 5-Color Set |
| Best Starter Set | Oil Base: Walnut oil | Solvent System: Solvent-free | Pigment Quality: Increased pigment loads, artist pigments only | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis |
| M. Graham & Co. Artist Oil Paint Titanium White 5oz Tube |
| Best Large Tube | Oil Base: Walnut oil | Solvent System: Solvent-free | Pigment Quality: Increased pigment loads | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis |
| M. Graham Artist Oil Paint Ultramarine Blue 1.25oz/37ml Tube |
| Best Blue | Oil Base: Walnut oil | Solvent System: Solvent-free | Pigment Quality: Increased pigment loads | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis |
| M. Graham & Co. GRM-11-097 Oil Paint Cobalt Teal |
| Best Teal Shade | Oil Base: Walnut oil | Solvent System: Solvent-free | Pigment Quality: Increased pigment loads | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis |
| M. Graham & Co. GRM-11-124 Oil Paint Nickel Quinacridone Gold |
| Best Gold Tone | Oil Base: Walnut oil | Solvent System: Solvent-free | Pigment Quality: Increased pigment loads | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis |
| M. Graham & Co. GRM-11-154 Oil Paint Pyrrole Red |
| Best Red | Oil Base: Walnut oil | Solvent System: Solvent-free | Pigment Quality: Increased pigment loads | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis |
| M. Graham & Co. GRM-11-075 Oil Paint Chroma Black |
| Best Black | Oil Base: Walnut oil | Solvent System: Solvent-free | Pigment Quality: Increased pigment loads | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis |
More Details on Our Top Picks
M. Graham Oil Paint Basic Color 5-Color Set
If you’re looking to break into oil painting without compromising on quality, this set won’t let you down. You’ll get five studio-size tubes featuring essential colors: Azo Yellow, Napthol Red, Ultramarine Blue, Phthalo Green, and Titanium White. M. Graham’s solvent-free formulation uses pure American walnut oil, eliminating yellowing concerns. The high pigment concentration guarantees vibrant, long-lasting colors that won’t crack. You’re also receiving a walnut alkyd medium and walnut oil medium, giving you everything needed to start painting on canvas or wood. At 4.7 stars with over 1,500 ratings, artists consistently trust this beginner-friendly set for its professional-grade performance and reliability.
- Oil Base:Walnut oil
- Solvent System:Solvent-free
- Pigment Quality:Increased pigment loads, artist pigments only
- Drying Time:Not specified
- Tube Size:1.25 fl oz (5 tubes in set)
- Manufacturing:Made in USA
- Additional Feature:Includes walnut alkyd medium
- Additional Feature:Includes walnut oil medium
- Additional Feature:Five essential studio colors
M. Graham & Co. Artist Oil Paint Titanium White 5oz Tube
You’ll find that M. Graham & Co.’s Artist Oil Paint Titanium White 5oz Tube stands out with its superior pigment concentration, ensuring your whites maintain brilliant clarity without yellowing over time. Made in the USA using walnut oil, this solvent-free formula preserves the traditional oil painting experience you’re seeking. The tube’s generous size provides ample supply for your projects without frequent repurchasing. Whether you’re blending highlights or creating impasto effects, this artist-quality paint delivers consistent results. Its stability against discoloration makes it an essential addition to your palette, especially when you’re working on pieces meant to endure.
- Oil Base:Walnut oil
- Solvent System:Solvent-free
- Pigment Quality:Increased pigment loads
- Drying Time:Not specified
- Tube Size:5 oz
- Manufacturing:Made in USA
- Additional Feature:Larger five ounce tube
- Additional Feature:USA manufacturing
- Additional Feature:Artist quality single color
M. Graham Artist Oil Paint Ultramarine Blue 1.25oz/37ml Tube
M. Graham’s Ultramarine Blue delivers the vibrant, transparent color you’re seeking for professional oil painting. This 1.25oz tube features increased pigment loads that create extraordinary richness and color saturation without extenders or adulterants. You’ll appreciate the walnut oil base, which won’t yellow over time, keeping your blues naturally brilliant. The paint intermixes seamlessly with other oils, varnishes, and mediums, giving you flexibility in your technique. With a Lightfast rating I and moderate drying time, your work maintains permanence and clarity. Whether you’re working on canvas or wood panels, this crack-resistant formula guarantees lasting results that retain their depth and vibrancy.
- Oil Base:Walnut oil
- Solvent System:Solvent-free
- Pigment Quality:Increased pigment loads
- Drying Time:Moderate (24 hours)
- Tube Size:1.25 fl oz
- Manufacturing:Made in USA
- Additional Feature:Lightfast rating I excellent
- Additional Feature:Transparent color characteristic
- Additional Feature:24-hour full cure time
M. Graham & Co. GRM-11-097 Oil Paint Cobalt Teal
This artist-quality oil paint stands out for professionals seeking vibrant, long-lasting colors that won’t fade or discolor over time. The Cobalt Teal tube delivers stronger, clearer pigmentation thanks to increased pigment loads and walnut oil formulation. You’ll appreciate the solvent-free composition, which eliminates harsh fumes while maintaining workability. Its moderate drying time gives you adequate blending flexibility without rushing your technique. Made in the USA, this 1.25oz tube offers excellent value for artists who demand reliability and color integrity in their palette. Whether you’re layering glazes or building bold strokes, this paint performs consistently.
- Oil Base:Walnut oil
- Solvent System:Solvent-free
- Pigment Quality:Increased pigment loads
- Drying Time:Moderate
- Tube Size:1.25 fl oz
- Manufacturing:Made in USA
- Additional Feature:Vibrant color saturation
- Additional Feature:Moderate drying time
- Additional Feature:Individual color tube
M. Graham & Co. GRM-11-124 Oil Paint Nickel Quinacridone Gold
Vibrant color-mixing becomes effortless with this artist-quality single pigment, which stands out for professionals and serious hobbyists seeking superior pigment loads without compromise. You’ll appreciate the walnut oil base, which eliminates the yellowing that traditional drying oils cause over time. The solvent-free formulation means you’re working with pure pigment and oil—nothing else diluting your colors. With moderate drying times, you’ve got adequate working windows without extended waiting periods. The 1.25oz tube delivers concentrated color that maintains clarity throughout your painting process. Made in the USA, this nickel quinacridone gold offers the reliability and performance you demand from professional-grade materials.
- Oil Base:Walnut oil
- Solvent System:Solvent-free
- Pigment Quality:Increased pigment loads
- Drying Time:Moderate
- Tube Size:1.25 fl oz
- Manufacturing:Made in USA
- Additional Feature:Quinacridone pigment formula
- Additional Feature:Moderate drying time
- Additional Feature:Individual color tube
M. Graham & Co. GRM-11-154 Oil Paint Pyrrole Red
If you’re seeking professional-grade oil paint that won’t yellow over time, the GRM-11-154 Pyrrole Red stands out as an excellent choice for fine artists. This 1.25 fl oz tube features M. Graham’s signature walnut oil base, eliminating the discoloration issues you’ll encounter with traditional drying oils. You’ll appreciate the increased pigment load, which delivers vibrant, saturated reds without extenders or adulterants. The moderate drying time gives you ample working flexibility, while the crack-resistant formula guarantees your artwork remains pristine for decades. You can seamlessly intermix this paint with other oils, varnishes, and mediums, making it versatile for your creative process.
- Oil Base:Walnut oil
- Solvent System:Solvent-free
- Pigment Quality:Increased pigment loads
- Drying Time:Moderate
- Tube Size:1.25 fl oz
- Manufacturing:Made in USA
- Additional Feature:Crack resistant formulation
- Additional Feature:Water repellent finish
- Additional Feature:Fine art specific use
M. Graham & Co. GRM-11-075 Oil Paint Chroma Black
M. Graham & Co.’s Chroma Black oil paint delivers professional-grade quality in a compact 1.25 fl oz tube. You’ll appreciate the walnut oil base, which eliminates harsh solvents while maintaining a moderate drying time. The high pigment concentration ascertains you achieve deep, vibrant blacks without compromise. This crack-resistant formula won’t degrade or discolor over time, assuring permanent results. You can confidently intermix it with other oils, varnishes, and mediums, including alkyd resins. Made in the USA and boasting a 4.9-star rating, this paint offers exceptional value for artists demanding reliability and superior color quality in their work.
- Oil Base:Walnut oil
- Solvent System:Solvent-free
- Pigment Quality:Increased pigment loads
- Drying Time:Moderate
- Tube Size:1.25 fl oz
- Manufacturing:Made in USA
- Additional Feature:4.9 out of 5 stars
- Additional Feature:Crack resistant formulation
- Additional Feature:Individual color tube
Factors to Consider When Choosing M Graham Oil Paint
When you’re selecting M Graham oil paints, you’ll want to evaluate the pigment quality and vibrancy that’ll match your artistic vision, since these factors directly impact your finished work’s intensity and longevity. You should also consider the walnut oil composition, drying time, and available color range to guarantee you’re getting a set that fits your painting style and timeline. Finally, examine the tube size options available, as they’ll determine how long your paints last and whether you’re getting the best value for your investment.
Pigment Quality and Vibrancy
Color intensity sets M. Graham apart from standard oil paint brands. You’ll notice the difference immediately—these paints deliver stronger, more vibrant colors thanks to increased pigment loads formulated into each tube.
The walnut oil vehicle medium plays an essential role in this vibrancy. Unlike traditional drying oils that can dilute pigment concentration, walnut oil preserves the purity of your colors while maintaining rich, intense pigmentation.
What makes M. Graham exceptional is its solvent-free composition. You’re getting concentrated pigments without dilution, allowing pure color to shine through on your canvas.
You’ll also appreciate the clarity and resistance to discoloration that comes with these formulations. Your paintings retain their original brilliance over time. Artists consistently praise M. Graham’s superior pigment quality when comparing it to competitors, making it a worthwhile investment for serious painters.
Walnut Oil Composition
Walnut oil sets M. Graham apart from conventional oil paints. This traditional medium offers you substantial environmental and health advantages compared to harsh solvents. You’ll appreciate how walnut oil dries slowly without yellowing, allowing extended working time while maintaining color integrity indefinitely.
The walnut oil formulation enables you to load higher pigment concentrations into each paint tube. This means you’re getting richer, more vibrant hues that don’t compromise over time. You’ll notice the colors retain their clarity and brilliance throughout your painting’s lifetime.
Additionally, walnut oil creates a flexible, crack-resistant paint film that withstands the test of time. You won’t need solvents for thinning or cleanup, making your studio safer and more eco-conscious. This composition fundamentally transforms how you experience oil painting.
Drying Time Considerations
One of the most practical advantages M. Graham oil paints offer is their moderate drying time. You’ll appreciate how this formulation lets you blend and rework your paint before it fully sets, giving you greater control over your artwork’s development.
The solvent-free composition directly contributes to this balanced drying speed, making these paints ideal for artists who need extended working windows. You can adjust the drying time further by incorporating drying mediums into your palette or employing wet-on-wet techniques when you want faster results.
This flexibility proves invaluable when choosing your paint. You’re not locked into rigid timelines—instead, you can adapt your process to match your artistic vision and working style, ensuring both workability and professional-quality finishes.
Color Range Availability
When you’re selecting M. Graham oil paints, consider the breadth of colors available to match your artistic vision. The brand offers primary, secondary, and tertiary hues alongside earth tones and specialty pigments, giving you abundant/plentiful/extensive options across the spectrum.
You’ll find both vibrant, saturated colors and muted, nuanced shades that expand your creative possibilities. M. Graham provides warm and cool variations within core color families like reds, yellows, blues, greens, and purples, allowing you to achieve precise color mixing and harmonies.
Additionally, you can choose from opaque, semi-opaque, and transparent formulations, enabling different painting techniques and effects. The company regularly introduces innovative pigments, so you’ll have access to cutting-edge color offerings that keep your palette fresh and contemporary.
Tube Size Options
Beyond selecting your ideal colors, you’ll want to ponder how much paint you actually need for your projects. M. Graham offers two primary tube sizes to match your specific requirements.
The 1.25 fluid ounce studio size tubes work well for most painters, providing convenient quantities without excessive waste. If you’re a prolific artist or work in large formats, the 5 fluid ounce tubes offer better value and reduce frequent repurchasing.
Consider your painting style and frequency. Traveling painters benefit from smaller tubes’ portability, while studio-based artists maximize savings with larger sizes. Think about storage space too—bigger tubes demand more room but minimize packaging waste.
Selecting the right tube size guarantees you’re never caught short mid-project while avoiding unnecessary surplus paint.
Lightfastness and Permanence
If you’re investing in quality oil paints, you’ll want them to maintain their vibrancy for years to come—and that’s where lightfastness matters. Lightfastness measures a pigment’s resistance to fading under light exposure, making it essential for permanent artwork.
M. Graham selects only artist-grade pigments rated I or II—the highest lightfastness standards available. These pigments won’t fade or discolor over time, ensuring your paintings remain as vibrant as the day you created them.
Beyond pigment quality, M. Graham’s walnut oil-based, solvent-free formulation provides exceptional color stability. You’ll also protect your investment by storing and displaying paintings away from direct sunlight. This combination of superior pigments and proper care guarantees lasting results.
