Rating of the best oil paints for painting for 2022

Painting is a creative and exciting activity that both children and adults adore. The process of drawing calms the nerves, instills aesthetic taste, develops an eye and a sense of beauty. A special place is given to oil painting, because it is always the most realistic, voluminous, colorful and durable. This technique makes strokes dense, voluminous and bright, which prevents fading of the finished work, gives a complete look. Art stores have a wide selection of different brands, and it often seems to the buyer that they are the same: they are all sold in tubes, similar colors, names, markings. Consider the rating of quality oil paints for beginners and professional artists for 2022, compiled from reviews of real buyers.

What are oil paints

The best manufacturers offer more than just a mixture of pigment and oil. To maintain the purity and brightness of the image, modern technologies add a number of components:

• natural resin;
• thickener;
• wax.

Oil paints are diluted, in which, during long-term storage, a heavy powdery pigment settles with simultaneous solidification and compaction of the middle layer, and non-diluted, which are initially produced with a more liquid texture. Drying oil, turpentine, kerosene, white spirit or a ready-made odorless thinner can act as a thinner. It should be borne in mind that the complete drying of the diluted paint will take longer.

According to the location of the brand, domestic and foreign can be distinguished. Among the Russians, there are more and more trustworthy even from professionals. The cost of such goods is an order of magnitude lower than foreign ones.

Three types of this art material:

1. professional - used by artists to write their own paintings and conduct training workshops, with a rich operation of the canvas, they are characterized by the best technical performance, versatility, good compatibility with brushes;
2. semi-professional - with a richer palette and serious characteristics;
3. amateur - best suited for children's creativity.

Quality distinguishes good and bad. It is useful to remember the distinguishing features in the description of bad paint:

• too liquid or thick consistency, the presence of lumps, uneven pastiness;
• cracking from the beginning of use;
• uneven layer, uneven staining, stripes;
• delamination on the canvas due to oil leakage (permissible only at the beginning of application, immediately after opening the package).

Criterias of choice

If the picture is painted with high-quality oil paints, then its service life can exceed a whole century. Consider how to choose which parameters it is advisable to take into account, what to look for when choosing this popular art material.

Light fastness - resistance of the painted surface to fading. In order not to say goodbye to the picture depicted in a year and a half due to sun-bleached smears, you need to know what to look for when choosing an oil paint. This is a marking with asterisks (less often with plus signs), in an amount from one designation to three:

• one asterisk (plus sign) - poor light fastness, loss of saturation already within one year;
• two - the average degree of resistance; a picture painted with such paint will delight the eyes up to 25 years;
• three - the most light-resistant, with the preservation of saturation and brightness for a whole century.

hiding power - the ability of the paint to lay down in a dense layer for volumetric application or, on the contrary, to mix with other shades when using the glazing technique. On the packaging is indicated by a square. If it's white, it's transparent, suitable for creating translucent layers to convey a deeper color when blended. A half-filled square indicates medium density, which is good for depicting a unique iridescent hue on the base color.Paint with a black square marking is the best solution for those who like to write with textured thick strokes. It will not be transparent even when diluted, because it has high covering characteristics.

Compound - as a rule, there are only two main components: a pigment, on which saturation depends (organic or inorganic), and oil. High-quality pigment will not allow the paint to turn on the canvas when mixed into artistic unsightly dirt. The best are ocher, mars, sienna, umber. The binding ingredient is oil, as well as wax or natural resin. The quality of the painting and the speed of drying depend on the oil. So that it does not turn yellow and crack in the future, it is advisable to use paints based on linseed, walnut or poppy oils. Additives (balm, mastic, turpentine) are used to increase the resistance of the layer when laying the paint. Oil paints with synthetic components are the most inexpensive, but not always of excellent quality, they are best used for a degreased surface.

 

Manufacturer - The popularity of art material is determined by the trademark under which it is produced. They can be conditionally divided into Russian and foreign. There is no single answer which one is better. Each painter, and even more so, a professional artist, has his own preferences and requirements for the material. The most famous brands, in the range of which there are all types of oil paints, from budget amateur to premium professional:

• Neva palette, Russia;
• Gamma, Russia;
• Schmincke, Germany;
• Winsor&Newton, UK;
• Maimeri, Italy;
• Ferrario, Italy;
• Rebeo, France;
• LeFranc & Bourgeois, France;
• Royal Talens, Holland.

Recommendations

A few tips to help avoid mistakes when choosing oil paint:

1. Do not chase a large number of tubes with different colors in the set, remember that on the basis of the main five (red, yellow, blue, brown, white) you can create all the other shades of the color palette.
2. Be sure to purchase a large-volume tube of titanium white: their consumption is always higher than that of other brands.
3. When choosing the volume of the tube, take into account the direction of artistic activity: for children's creativity, writing sketches, tubes from 10 to 46 ml are suitable; for professional painting, conducting numerous master classes, it is appropriate to purchase larger packages.
4. Preference is given to art materials, which include natural oils and pigments, their quality is an order of magnitude higher than synthetic counterparts.
5. It is better to make purchases in specialized departments for artists or in an online store from an official representative of the selected brand.

Rating of popular oil paints for painting for 2022

We offer to consider an overview of the most popular names of well-known brands, according to buyers, which ones are better to buy in art stores or order online.

Professional

Neva palette Master class

The oldest in Russia, the Plant of Artistic Paints uses its own laboratory for quality control at each technological stage of production. The product is characterized by a high concentration of pigment, specially processed linseed oil. This provides sufficient coverage, saturation, density of strokes. The work is easy. Consumption is small. The unique color scheme is striking - 99 shades, which is important for professional painters.However, buyers note not too much saturation of the coloring pigment in some of them. Since the compositions do not change their tone after drying, they are successfully used for restoration work. The monopigmentation of many paints ensures the purity of shades, facilitates mixing in multi-layer application. The manufacturer offers individual tubes of 46 ml and ready-made sets of 6,8,12 pieces in a smaller volume - 18 ml.

Average price: 296 rubles.

• good hiding power;
• quality composition;
• affordable price;
• brightness;
• a huge selection of shades;
• tubes of different sizes;
• ready-made sets and individual tubes.

• insufficient pigmentation of individual shades.

Schmincke Mussini

German quality can be seen in every detail of exquisite products, from raw materials to packaging. They are made according to the recipes of old masters under modern multi-stage quality control. The composition is environmentally friendly and easy to use. Pigments are contained in the highest possible concentration, which makes working with this artistic material a pleasure, and the consumption of material is small. The high price is justified by the premium quality:

• the best pigments;
• each tone contains its own unique composition of oils and resins;
• the highest degree of light fastness and hiding power;
• durability and preservation of the original shade.

The tubes have wide mouths, so you can squeeze out the contents quickly and without much effort. Components of exclusively organic origin are non-toxic and safe. A high drying rate is ensured by the use of natural alkyd resin as a base. The paint is resistant to cracking and yellowing.It can preserve the saturation and naturalness of shades for up to 200 years. The shades are bright, beautiful, classic and modern metallic types in total 101 tones, including 42 unique ones, not repeated by any other brand, not a single imitation. Exceptional mirror image transmission. Sold as a set or separately, from 20 to 200 ml. It is convenient for those masters who know which colors are the least and most consumed in the work in order to choose the right amount. It is recommended for amateurs to write in the technique of glazing.

Average price: 913 rubles.

• pure tones;
• does not turn yellow over time;
• spreads well on the surface;
• deep color intensity;
• rich palette with unique tones;
• the highest quality indicators;
• profitability;
• convenience in work;
• ecological cleanliness;
• color stability when mixed.

• high price.

LeFranc&Bourgeuis Extra Fine

Oil with natural pigments, free of waxes and fillers, allows you to work in any technique, provides light resistance, is not subject to cracking and yellowing. Dries quickly, after drying the tone corresponds to the original. The material is characterized by ideal coating characteristics, rich colors, an ideal consistency that allows the brush to glide easily over the canvas. It goes well with any kind of brushes and canvases. The palette includes 120 shades, which provides a versatile creative work of the artist. The dense material of the tube allows you to store the paint for a long time after opening the package without losing the coloring properties. Individual tubes with a volume of 20 to 200 ml and ready-made kits are on sale.

Average price: 354 rubles.

• affordable price;
• quality composition;
• sufficient light fastness;
• unusual shades;
• stored for a long time;
• beautiful wooden box;
• sets and individual items;
• many tones;
• compatibility with brushes and canvases.

• dries for a long time.

semi-professional

Neva palette Ladoga

Despite the medium pigmentation, this material is ideal in consistency for beginners when mastering the techniques of selecting and mixing shades. It dries quickly, applies smoothly, mixes well, and the average light fastness allows you to admire finished canvases for many years. A choice of 54 colors ensures full creativity in the glazing technique. Due to the wide neck, it is quickly squeezed out, which reduces the time of work on a sketch or a painting.

Average price: 199 rubles.

• inexpensive;
• comfortable in texture;
• a large selection of tones;
• sold separately and in sets;
• mixes well;
• dries quickly.

• insufficient saturation.

Winsor&Newton Winton

A series of a well-known British brand designed for non-professional painters, sold separately in 37 ml tubes. Masters recommend purchasing a complete set of perfectly matched shades. Manufactured on high-tech equipment using advanced innovative technologies using first-class raw materials, organic and mineral pigments. Differs in density, saturation, as well as the highest light fastness, so that the original appearance of the image is guaranteed to be preserved for 200 years. Drawers note the convenient shape of the tubes, which is important for constant use.The only negative is that for dilution, you will have to purchase an expensive imported solvent.

Average price: 330 rubles.

• good hiding power;
• saturation and brightness;
• excellent light fastness;
• mixes easily without dirt;
• a large selection of matching shades;
• separate tubes and sets;
• the perfect combination of quality and value.

• need an expensive solvent.

Schmincke Norma Professional

The production, which is over a hundred years old, uses old recipes and only first-class, rare pigments. Therefore, even when applying thin strokes and applying glazing shades, exceptional juiciness, purity and brightness are achieved. The consistency of the composition (pliable and soft, but not too liquid) allows you to use it without a diluent, which is a big plus. Freedom in technique is given by the presence of opaque and translucent tones among the 84 presented. But even with a set of eight basic ones, you can easily get all the necessary shades of green, brown, burgundy, which will give the picture a finished lively look. They are perfectly combined with each other when mixed, the effect of a dirty spot does not appear. The light fastness index is the highest, which means that one should not be afraid for the fading of the canvases in the light.

Average price: 699 rubles.

• exceptional lightfastness;
• highly concentrated pigment;
• color stability when mixed;
• a combination of different high-quality oils;
• unique pigments;
• ease of use in different technologies.

• no.

amateur

Royal Talens Art Creations

Produced in small tubes of 12 ml.For beginners, a ready-made set of 24 balanced shades is perfect. The product meets the highest quality standards. It contains a wide range of organic pigments that provide richness and brightness. Buyers note high light fastness, no cracking. The strokes lie flat and dense on the canvas, the colors blend easily without creating mud. Complete drying occurs after 7-10 days. After writing, creative works do not lose their color saturation and stroke sharpness even after two or three years. You can also purchase a set of 12 shades or tubes of 40 and 200 ml per piece. Consumption is small due to the consistency.

Average price per set: 1479 rubles; individual tubes: 200 rubles.

• separately and in sets;
• beautiful shades;
• high quality indicators;
• easy mixing without dirt;
• economical consumption.

• no.

Maimeri Classico

This paint of the Italian brand is distinguished by environmental friendliness and ease of use. For amateurs taking their first steps in painting, 77 well-chosen bright shades will help create real masterpieces. The paint is safe even for children: it does not contain toxic substances, and a number of pigments have been replaced with organic imitations with the addition of processed linseed oil. High rates of coloring properties, convenient small tubes of 20 ml, light resistance and solidification of thin layers after two days make the paint extremely popular. After complete drying, the image acquires a noble matte tone. The most popular among buyers are sets of nine basic colors.

Average price: 350 rubles.

• fast drying;
• adequate cost;
• environmental friendliness;
• ease of use;
• a large selection of shades;
• convenient tube size.

• no.

Ferrari Master Oil

Due to the universal composition, it is suitable for any, including smooth, surfaces. Easily mixes with oils from other manufacturers without loss of color purity. Dries quickly, looks the same in natural and artificial light. A moderate price with a fairly high level of quality is explained by the use of classical technology, which allows the replacement of some natural pigments with synthetic counterparts. The range of the series includes 50 light-resistant, opaque, saturated shades. Available in individual tubes of 60 ml. Diluted with any oil solvent.

Average price: 250 rubles.

• fast drying;
• affordable price;
• mixing with any others;
• proven quality;
• many shades;
• any solvent is suitable;
• universal composition.

• no ready-made kits.

Everyone decides for himself. Which company is better, where to buy, how much oil paint costs. Knowing the quality products of trusted brands will significantly save money and time on choosing the right art material. In this case, both the creative process and its results will bring joy.