Preferred Artist Oil Brand for Figure painters?

Armor/AFV AFV Figures
1

Is it hands down Windsor and Newton? I went with Gamblin for budget reasons , I think it was a mistake.

1 Like
2

I’m not sure that’s the right question for several reasons;

  1. Depending on one’s own style, preferred primer etc., one brand may suit better than others.

  2. Price doesn’t necessarily equate to “best”, refer above.

  3. Figure painting (at 1:35 anyway) involves very small surface areas compared to (say) artists’ canvases/boards etc., so Quality is unlikely to be noticeable.

  4. It’s all down to personal experimentation and preference, nobody’s right or wrong.

Personally I tried oils years ago and got impatient. So I switched to cheap artists’ acrylics (aka “student quality”) because I’d already fairly successfully mastered glazes as an amateur artist, and I liked how fast acrylics dried especially with a hair drier. And I liked how by mixing in a drop or two of Tamiya Flat Base everything dried flat/matt without need of an overlaying flat varnish. All I can say is that the figures I thus painted last year thru beyond 10 years ago still look fine, no discolouration or deterioration.

4 Likes
3

I can’t speak to figure painting, but I do have thirty years experience using oils for AFV painting and weathering, and I feel I can advise you relevant to your question.
Short answer - Yes, it is hands down Winsor & Newton. However, you do not have to buy their top of the line brand. I have found that the Winsor & Newton Winton Oil Color line is perfectly suited to model painting and also the wallet.
The pigments in the Winton colors are fine enough that they don’t show up, even in 90% dilution. The texture is ultra smooth, rich,and creamy. The pigmentation is strong.
Long ago I started with the economy sets at Hobby Lobby with 12 colors by an unknown brand. Ruined a model and binned both the model and the oil paints. I tried Grumbacher - a big name in oil paint. The pigments were too coarse and it didn’t dilute or blend well.
Then I ventured into the Winsor & Newton Winton Series and got the results I was looking for. I have tried 1 or 2 of their more expensive top brand, but have invested in the Winton Oil Color Series.
So Yeah, it is Winsor & Newton hands down.
All 10 of the guys in my AMPS Chapter are Winsor & Newton guys, too.

5 Likes
4

Agreed. I think with oils brands do matter and have tried several, including some that cater only to our hobby. Some of the hobby specific brands have gone bad in just a couple of years while the Windsor and Newton tubes are just as good as they were when i bought them 10 years ago. Currently the only brand I would consider besides Windsor and Newton are the AK tube oils. Although I haven’t had them as long, they do appear to be of similar high quality but with more unique colors specific to our hobby. In contrast I have had very bad luck with oils manufactured in Russia…

1 Like