All the pleasure of oil painting, without the solvents. Artisan is Winsor & Newton's water mixable oil colour range — genuine oil paint that can be thinned, blended, and cleaned up using water instead of turpentine or white spirit.
The key to Artisan is a modification to the linseed and safflower oils used as binders. There is no water in the formulation itself; the oils have been chemically adapted to accept water, creating a stable emulsion that retains the handling characteristics you would expect from a traditional oil colour. The short, buttery consistency holds brush and palette knife marks well, drying by oxidation in the same way as conventional oils once the water has evaporated from the paint film. Touch dry time is typically 2 to 12 days depending on colour and thickness of application. Research has shown the dried paint film is comparable in flexibility and solvent resistance to conventional oil colour — and slightly more flexible, which helps resist cracking as a canvas moves with changes in temperature or humidity.
Artisan is particularly well suited to home studios, shared workspaces, and teaching environments where the use of hazardous solvents is undesirable or impractical. Brushes and equipment clean up easily with soap and water.
The range spans 40 colours available in 37ml and 200ml tubes, supported by a dedicated range of Artisan water mixable mediums, oils, and varnishes. Winsor & Newton position Artisan between student and professional grade — pigment quality is good, but some colours use hue alternatives in place of traditional pigments, as with the Winton oil range.
Do water mixable oils actually work like traditional oil paints? Very closely. The consistency, drying process, and layering techniques are all comparable to conventional oils. The main practical difference is that water replaces solvents for thinning and cleaning, though dedicated Artisan mediums are also available for more controlled results.
Can Artisan be mixed with conventional oil paints? It can be mixed in small amounts, but doing so progressively reduces the water mixability. For best results, keep Artisan separate from traditional oils and use the dedicated Artisan mediums.
Is water mixable oil paint safe to use indoors? Yes. Eliminating the need for turpentine or white spirit removes the main source of fumes in oil painting, making Artisan much more suitable for home use, small rooms, and spaces shared with others.
What sizes is Artisan available in? Individual colours are available in 37ml and 200ml tubes. A range of sets is also available.
Do I need special mediums with Artisan? Water alone works for thinning and cleaning. Winsor & Newton also produce a dedicated range of 11 Artisan mediums — including linseed oil, stand oil, and painting medium — which are formulated to remain water mixable and give more control over drying time, consistency, and finish.
