Winsor & Newton 'Artisan' water mixable oils

Oil colours have been used in various forms since the 15th Century. Winsor & Newton began making oil colours in 1832, swiftly developing and subsequently maintaining a reputation for excellence and consistency. 

Like traditional oil colour, Artisan water-mixable oil paints, is made from linseed and safflower oil. The only difference is the linseed oil and safflower oil used in Artisan have been modified so that they will mix and clean up with water. This creates a stable emulsion, and retains the working characteristics of conventional oil colour.

The key difference between Artisan and conventional oils is its ability to mix and clean up with water. Conventional oils require the use of solvents such as turpentine or white spirit, but as Artisan can be thinned with water, the use of hazardous solvents are not necessary. As a result, artists can enjoy a safer painting environment.

In this article we explore the Artisan oils, and see how they compare with those artists who have trialled them or work with them on a regular basis.

More about the Artisan oils

Winsor & Newton have over 170 years of experience in the making of oil colours. They were one of the first companies to develop water-mixable oils. A wide variety of pigments are used in Artisan paints to provide all the characteristics in a standard Winsor & Newton oil colour. The depth of colour, buttery consistency, lightfastness, opacity/transparency, performance and drying times of Artisan, allow artists to use this range for all oil techniques. The consistency is a careful balance between pigment and oils used in the formulation, which is the traditional consistency of oil colours, and as such allows the artist a broader variety of techniques, the colour can be thinned as required with water, or with any of the mediums available in the Artisan range. The Artisan water mixable oils are a substitute for those who want to work with oil paints but don't wish to work with hazardous solvents. The vehicle oil that is mixed with the pigment is modified linseed oil and safflower oil for the Zinc White.
We discuss these mediums a little further down the page.
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*ADVANTAGES
* Affordable
* Does not require the use of hazardous solvents
* Ideal for the newcomer
* 24 single pigments
* Adhesion and flexibility similar to standard oil paint
* Easily accessible worldwide
* Brushes are easily cleaned using soap and water

DISADVANTAGES
* Some artists complain that the paints feel 'sticky'
* Complaints that they do not mix as well as traditional oils
* Small selection of single pigments

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The YouTube video below provides a simple 4-minute explanation for working with the Artisan oils. It also covers the use of mediums and types of brushes to use. 

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hints & tips

Oil painting with Artisan requires attention to the same rules as conventional oil colour:
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• Fat over lean (flexible over less flexible). When painting in layers, each successive layer must be more flexible than the one underneath. This rule is maintained by adding more medium to each successive layer. This does not mean you must add more and more medium to each layer, simply that you do not add less.

• Thick over thin. Thick layers of oil colour are best applied over thin underlayers. Thin layers on impasto paintings are likely to crack. 
• Slow drying colours should not form continuous underlayers as any faster drying layers on top may crack.

• As with conventional oil paintings, to avoid yellowing of the oil, paintings should not be allowed to dry in continuous darkness or places with high humidity.

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• Artisan paintings require full drying before varnishing - at least 6-12 months.

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​can water mixable oils be mixed with traditional oils?

Artisan oils and mediums can be mixed with conventional oil colours and conventional mediums, however, the resultant mixture will be progressively less water mixable, the more conventional oil and medium you use. Winsor & Newton recommend that you use Artisan colours and mediums exclusively. They can also be painted over acrylics and alkyds, but an underpainting should be kept to a thin layer to avoid any problems with flexibility. Winsor & Newton advise against mixing the water-mixable oils with acrylic paint.

Which tools do you need for use with the Artisan oils?

Paintbrushes

Winsor & Newton developed the Artisan range of brushes for use with their Artisan oil paints.  The brushes are made using a unique blend of high quality synthetic fibres designed to have the performance and characteristics of hog bristle, yet maintain their spring and shape when in prolonged contact with water. For blending and glazing, a softer haired brush may be more suitable such as a sable or sable synthetic mix. Many oil painters may prefer to use palette knives instead or as well as. Brushes and equipment should be cleaned with soap and water after use.​​​

Supports

Canvas is the traditional surface for oil painting. Canvas is usually stretched and primed on an open frame. Canvas boards are traditionally popular for sketching, painting outdoors or simply because artists prefer to paint on a hard backing. There are companies like Ampersand who create specialist panels for those who prefer a firmer and more durable, surface. Linen or cotton canvasses are the professional's choice. Linen is stronger and durable in contrast to cotton, which you will see in the pricing structure. Paper can also be used, provided it is correctly sized and primed.
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Mediums

To achieve a full range of oil colour techniques, the Artisan water mixable mediums are designed to be mixed with their own medium, with no hazardous solvents required. Used to alter or enhance the characteristics of oil colour, mediums are used to modify the rate of drying, increase gloss, improve flow or add texture. Based on the binders used in milling the colour mediums should be used in moderation when used with colour. A range of unique Artisan water mixable mediums are also available for more applications to ensure the artist has everything necessary to paint with the Artisan colours, without the need for turpentine or white spirits (mineral spirits)​

mixing oil paints with water?

The Artisan oils dries in the same way as conventional oil colours, by means of oxidisation. Mixing with water in the early stages, will cause a certain amount of colour shift, however this does not effect the colour once dry. Artisan films which have been diluted with water have been shown to be free of that water within the first weeks and months of drying. The drying process continues by oxidation as it would with a conventional painting. If you prefer to use a medium to mix your oil paints, the Artisan Thinner can be used in the upper layers to 'respect' the fat over lean rule. It has a stronger solvency than water and feels slightly better on the brush.

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sample paintings

Here are a couple of samples created using the Artisan water mixable oils.

​For this Northern Inuit dog painting, a 20" x 20" deep canvas was used. It has a noticeable weave and to keep the details loose, we applied thick brushstrokes. Working on a weave canvas, can limit the opportunities for very fine detail, and a fine weave canvas or a wood panel such as the Ampersand Gessobord, may be more suitable. 

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Painting portraits with oils are a joy! Mix a painting medium into your paint to obtain the right tones, which will help you build the translucency in the skin.  Use a fine liner brush for the meticulous detail and soften any harsh edges with a clean brush. This painting was completed on a fine weave canvas, so detail was far easier to apply.

artisan mediums

As with conventional oil painting, mediums allow you to alter the characteristics and working properties of your tube colour. Artisan has its own specially developed range of oils, mediums, varnishes and a thinner to allow all techniques to be achieved. The Artisan oils, mediums, solvents, and varnishes are designed to be used with Artisan Water Mixable Oil Colour. This is because these products can all be mixed with water and used without the need for any hazardous solvents.

find out more about the mediums

If you want to find out more about each medium and what it is recommended for, we provide information on each product available in the Artisan line. Simply click on the product(s) of interest, clicking the left and right arrows to scroll through all seven products available.

• PAINTING MEDIUM
• FAST DRYING MEDIUM
• IMPASTO MEDIUM
• SAFFLOWER OIL
• LINSEED OIL
• STAND OIL
• THINNER

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​Artisan Painting Medium is a stand oil based medium, ready made from the bottle. Because of the complex chemistry of water mixable oils, it has been possible for W & N to formulate a superior medium from a selection of raw materials. This medium thins the consistency of the oil colours and aids fine detail work. It also improves the flow and wetting of the colour. It dries slowly to a flexible film and is good for *'oiling out'.
Can be cleaned up with water.

* Oiling out replaces any oil which has been absorbed by the previous layer. To use, wipe the Painting Medium sparingly into any dull, sunken areas of the painting with a lint free cloth. Wipe off any excess oil and leave to dry. Repeat until the area has an even sheen.

This speeds the drying of oil colour by about 50%, allowing further layers to be applied more quickly. The formulation has been improved to help wet the colour better. It is excellent for glazing and producing fine detail. It thins the colour and increases gloss and transparency. When painting in layers, it can substitute linseed oil and be combined with water and/or Thinner to maintain fat over lean.

This is a water mixable impasto and texturing medium which retains brush marks when mixed with the Artisan oil colours. It will maintain the tube consistency of the colour and speeds the drying time of colours by about 50%. For thick impasto, build the texture in several layers allowing each layer to dry first, mixing the impasto thoroughly into the colour before use.
Resists yellowing.
​Can be cleaned up with water.

Some Artisan colours such as whites and other pale colours contain Safflower oil instead of or in addition to Linseed oil. As it is a paler yellow, the paler pigments maintain their brightness. If painting a lot with pale colours, you may choose to use the Safflower oil instead of the Linseed oil to reduce their consistency. It also increases gloss and transparency. Safflower is ​slow drying and should not be used under faster drying layers such as Fast Drying Medium, Umbers etc.
Can be cleaned up with water.

The Artisan Linseed Oil is the main binder in the Artisan colours. When mixed with colour, it reduces their consistency. Linseed oil is the most commonly used medium. It is combined with water or Thinner to maintain the structure of the paint film. It is also used when painting in layers to maintain the fat over lean rule - each successive layer must have more oil in it than the previous one.​
Slows drying.
Can be cleaned up with water.

​Stand oil is the most durable type of linseed oil. It is part polymerised by being heated in the absence of oxygen. This joins the oil molecules together, leaving less space for oxygen and hence a longer drying time. The benefit of this oil is that it produces a paler, more flexible film with excellent levelling properties. It is therefore a good glazing medium and gives a smooth enamel effect finish with no brush marks. It can be combined with water or Thinner for this purpose. It also increases gloss and transparency. 
Can be cleaned up with water.
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​The purpose of Artisan oils is to avoid the use of hazardous solvents. Although water is suitable as a diluent for the colour, its speedy evaporation can make the colour thicken upon the palette much quicker than conventional oil colour would when used with turpentine. It can be used instead of water or combined with it. It also provides a more oily consistency which is preferred by some painters and as it is not forming an emulsion with the colour, there is less colour change than there would be when using water. Avoid over thinning colours. If too much is used, there will be insufficient oil remaining to bind the pigment. The paint surface will be susceptible to damage and appear dull and matt. Thinners should be combined with other Artisan mediums for very dilute uses. 

This slow drying oil reduces the consistency and improves flow of Artisan Water Mixable Oil Colours. It also increases gloss and transparency. Can be cleaned up with water.

​Mediums are additives and as such should be used in modest proportions, just enough to achieve the desired result. ​Artisan mediums can be mixed together. Too much linseed oil or stand oil will lead to wrinkling of the surface, just as it would with conventional oils. ​Many people mix linseed oil and solvent together whilst painting with conventional oils. You can add to this with Artisan by adding Thinner or water to Artisan Linseed Oil, Safflower Oil or Stand Oil. If you do make your own medium, mix the components thoroughly and stir every time before use.

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ARTISAN VARNISHES & REMOVERS

Varnishes in the Artisan Water Mixable Oil Colour range can be used on top of conventional oil colour. As with all varnishing, ensure that the painting has been allowed to dry for a minimum of six months first.

Varnishes available in the range include: Matt, Satin & Gloss. The finish desired is purely down to personal preference. The matt and satin varnishes should be stirred well before use. The varnish remover is also available so artists can re-varnish a painting if it gets damaged or dirt becomes ingrained into the surface due to time and exposure.

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Other related articles that may be of interest
​

The 3 most important products you need for novice oil painters

View our other water-based articles

Check out our surfaces suitable for painters

Why not find out more about oil pastels? (Article to follow)

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The Artisan colour range has been chosen according to colour from the tube (mass tone), bias of colour when in a thin film (undertone), strength and relative opacity. Each colour has been specially selected looking at individual pigment characteristics. The resultant colour spectrum of 40 colours is spread around the colour wheel to ensure that as many colour positions and mixes are possible.

ask the experts at winsor & newton

We contacted Winsor & Newton about their Artisan range with some questions. Both the questions and answers are provided below:

Q1. Are these paints classed as a student oil paint?
A1: Our Artisan range is placed between Winton Student range and our Artist oil colour range.

Q2. Do they have a lower pigment content with 'cheaper' pigments bulked out with fillers? 
A2: They do not have cheaper pigments. The pigments we use are all high quality and the same throughout all the ranges, however there is a lower pigment load. Artist oil colour has the highest pigment load.

Q3. How do they compare to your professional oil paints (non water-mixable)
A3: The Artisan range has been formulated to feel and behave in the same way as traditional artist oil colour, but without the need for using harsh solvents.


Q4. Are the hues created from non-toxic pigments? Or do they still contain a small percentage of the toxic pigments?
Q5. Do the cadmiums, cobalts etc. paints actually contain these pigments, and if so, what percentage is found in the standard (37ml) tube?
Q4 & Q5 Answer: ​We cannot share information about our formulation, however, we can share with you the SDS (Safety Data Sheet). In this, we state all the hazardous materials contained in the range. We cannot share detailed composition as it is confidential information.
SDS sheet 1
SDS sheet 2

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SINGLE PIGMENT COLOURS

pigment quality

A wide variety of pigments are used in Artisan, to provide all the characteristics of a standard Winsor & Newton oil colour.  Artisan paints are available in series 1 and series 2. The latter series is more expensive due to the fact that they contain genuine cadmiums and cobalt pigments, although due to confidentiality, Winsor & Newton will not provide the actual content (ratio) of pigment and binder.

Paints are made by mixing pigment with a binder. The amount of pigment will vary from one manufacturer to another. Artisan water-mixable oils have 40 colours in their collection, with a little over half of those colours (24) made from a single pigment, and a mix of hues and other colours, which are made from a mix of different pigments. Single pigments contain a high proportion of an individual pigment, which provide brilliance of colour and clean colour mixing.
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The Artisan water mixable oil colours have high light resistance. All colours have been awarded the title AP Non-Toxic.

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Colour Chart and Lightfastness

​Permanence
Most artists like to be sure that their colours are permanent. Winsor and Newton state that they continue to improve the lightfastness of their paints and this has been utilised in the Artisan range. All colours are rated AA or A and are classed as permanent. The permanence of an artists’ colour is defined as ‘its durability when laid with a brush on paper or canvas, graded appropriately and displayed under a glass frame in a dry room freely exposed to ordinary daylight and an ordinary town atmosphere’. In simpler terms, their resistance to change when exposed to light and the atmosphere. 
Conforms to ASTM D-4236

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Opaque v's Transparent

pigment strengths

​Opaque paints are more reflective (not to be confused with “shiny”). They cover and hide what's underneath. Transparent (or translucent) paints allow more light to pass through them. They are 'see through'.
Semi-transparent stains offer a subtle, yet more pronounced colour appearance, while still allowing some wood grain and texture to show through.

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Sets available

Open stock - individual tubes

Set of 6 - 21ml tubes

Set of 6 - 37ml tubes

Set of 10 - 12ml tubes

Set of 10 - 21ml tubes

Set of 10 - 37ml tubes

Set of 20 - 12ml tubes

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our personal opinions about this range

After some research, we found that the majority of reviews were very positive about the Artisan water mixable oils. If you are a professional artist with years of experience working with traditional oils and solvents, you may find it difficult to adjust to water-mixable oil paints, however, you may appreciate them as a safer alternative, but you may find another brand is better for you.

The Artisan oil paints are a mid-level oil paint, an affordable option for those new to the medium or for artists looking to work with oils, in a safer painting environment without the need for solvents. They may also be used as a springboard into traditional oil paints, learning the techniques and mistakes as you go. 

Although Winsor & Newton were one of the first companies to introduce water-mixable oils to the art world, many others have come along since then. Some used exclusively by professional artists. Other brands may have a larger range of colour options, with better consistency, or coverage. It is worth trying a few brands, and see what works best for you. 

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comments by artisan customers

(Via Amazon)
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thumbs up

" Works just like regular oils, but with easy clean up. You can thin it with water if you choose, but for the upper layers it is nice to use a water soluble oil medium. There is a fast drying one that works great. Titanium white is slow to dry so it helps speed things up."
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" Lovely smooth textured paint in a good white - a water mixable oil paint is so easy to use and you can thin it down almost to a watercolour paint texture and use for washes, or keep it thick straight out of the tube and if you're feeling extravagant slap it on with a palette knife. The thicker it is, obviously, the longer it will take to dry, as with ordinary oil paint, but used diluted it dries fairly quickly. "
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" They are oily, which I assume is not the best for all artists, but for beginners they work well enough. I like them. I understand expert artist prefer a drier oil paint, but I can't say whether dryer is better or not. Pigments seem of good quality as well. I've heard that these paints are great paints for beginners and recommended for students because of the price. Oh, and they do wash up well. "
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" I used the old-fashioned oils for years, but I wanted to try this formulation. I LOVE these because clean up is a breeze, there isn't any solvent odour and spritzing water on your canvas as you work allows beautiful shading or sheer layering. You can easily float colours with a pallet knife, too. I have nothing negative to say about these beautiful oils. "
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thumbs down

" It seems like it would be a good idea -- oil paints that you can thin with water as you work. But the 'texture' of the paints differs from colour to colour, and they don't spread or blend as easily as either oils or acrylics. Nice idea, but no thanks. "

" Very sticky, hard to use, better stay with traditional oils or if you cannot do real oils then opt for watercolour, not this stuff "
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" These are awful. Just go with the oil based. They're sticky and not smooth at all. Makes oil painting SO much harder than it has to be. Sure, they're non-toxic, but they aren't worth the hassle or the extra cost. No thanks "

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Health & Safety information

Products displaying the Approved Product “AP” seal or just the statement ‘Conforms to ASTM D 4236’ are certified in a program of toxicological evaluation by a medical expert to contain no material in sufficient quantities to be toxic or injurious to humans, including children, or to cause acute or chronic health problems.

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Artisan oil paints are vegan except for Ivory Black