What Oil Paint Colours Do I Need? A Guide to Essential Oil Paint Colours

September 3, 2024

For a versatile and effective palette, the essential oil paint colours you need include the primary colours: red, blue, and yellow. Adding white, black, and a few earth tones like burnt sienna and raw umber will allow you to mix a wide range of colours and achieve a balanced palette. These colours are fundamental for creating everything from vibrant landscapes to subtle portraits.

Introduction:

Choosing the right oil paint colours can be overwhelming, especially with the vast array of options available. Whether you're a beginner looking to start your collection or an experienced artist aiming to streamline your palette, this guide will help you determine which oil paint colours are essential for creating a wide range of tones and shades. We’ll also explore the advantages of using a limited colour palette, which not only simplifies your work but also enhances colour harmony and consistency in your artwork. Plus, we’ll introduce you to our P9 Artisan Oil Paint Kit and P9 Artist Oil Paint Set, which include carefully selected sets of 9 colours—perfect for landscape, portrait, abstract, and modern painting.

Why Non-Toxic Oil Paints Matter for Artists

Cadmium-based colours, particularly Cadmium Red and Cadmium Yellow, have long been staples in traditional oil painting. However, these pigments are highly toxic due to their heavy metal content and are known carcinogens. Prolonged exposure to cadmium can lead to serious health risks, including kidney damage, lung disease, and an increased risk of cancer. Additionally, cadmium is harmful to the environment, contaminating water and soil, which affects wildlife and ecosystems.

Given these significant health and environmental concerns, many artists are seeking non-toxic alternatives. However, finding non-toxic primary oil paints can be challenging, as most traditional red and yellow pigments are laden with heavy metals and chemicals. This difficulty is compounded by the fact that non-toxic versions of these pigments often struggle to match the vibrancy and coverage of their cadmium counterparts.

Non-Toxic Alternatives: The Challenge of Finding Safe Primary Colours

At P9 Art Boutique, we understand the importance of safe, non-toxic materials without compromising on quality and colour. After two years of rigorous testing and sourcing, we finally discovered suitable non-toxic alternatives for the primary red and yellow pigments in our P9 Artisan Oil Paint Kit and P9 Artist Oil Paint Set.

These colours are not only safer but also of the highest quality, ensuring that a little goes a long way. Each pigment in our kit is exceptionally pure and highly pigmented, providing rich, vibrant colours that bring your artwork to life.

It is important that all the colours in your palette harmonise with each other and can be mixed effectively. We carefully curated the nine colours in both the P9 Oil Paint Kit and P9 Oil Paint Set to ensure they blend beautifully, whether you're creating a landscape oil painting, a portrait oil painting, or exploring abstract and modern art.

P9 Oil Paint Kit's Primary Colours:

Primary Red: Our French Red Ruby pigment, which is 95% natural and 5% synthetic, offers a vibrant, non-toxic alternative to cadmium red. This pigment was selected for its intensity and purity, making it perfect for both landscape and portrait oil painting.
Primary Yellow: Similarly, our French Yellow Citron pigment, 97% natural and 3% synthetic, replaces cadmium yellow with a safer option that still delivers the bright, sunny hue that artists need.
Primary Blue: For the blue in our palette, we chose Ultramarine Blue, a pigment beloved by artists for centuries. Unlike many commercial versions of ultramarine blue, which are often mixed with low-quality powders to reduce cost, our ultramarine is pure, offering unmatched vibrancy and depth.

P9 Oil Paint Set's Primary Colours:

Primary Reds: We chose two red pigments—Pyrrole Red Scarlet, a bright, intense red, and Quinacridone Magenta, known for its ability to mix well with other colours to produce a wide range of tones.
Primary Yellow: Bismuth Yellow was selected as a non-toxic alternative to traditional cadmium yellow. This pigment offers the same vibrant hue without the associated health risks.
Primary Blue: As with our oil paint kit, we chose Ultramarine Blue for its historical significance and pure quality.

For white and black, we made thoughtful choices for each product:

White: Titanium White Rutile is included in both the kit and the set as it’s a synthetic mineral pigment with the strongest tinting strength and is a non-toxic option.
Black in the Kit: German Vine Black is a natural plant pigment included in the P9 Artisan Oil Paint Kit for those who prefer a traditional black.
Dark Brown in the Set: Instead of black, the P9 Artist Oil Paint Set includes Burnt Umber, a natural earth pigment. This choice reflects our belief that mixing colours with black can lead to muddy results, whereas dark brown allows for darkening colours while maintaining vibrancy. This approach makes our oil paint set ideal for practising and perfecting your technique and colour theory.

Both our kit and set include carefully selected earth tones:

P9 Oil Paint Kit's Earth Colours:

Persian Red Earth: A rich, warm earth tone that adds depth and naturalism to your palette, perfect for both landscapes and portraits.
Persian Yellow Earth: A muted, earthy yellow that complements greens and browns, ideal for natural scenes and skin tones.
Verona Green Earth: A soft, natural green, perfect for foliage and landscapes, offering a subtle, harmonious touch.
Cypriot Burnt Umber: A deep, warm brown that is essential for shading, adding warmth, and creating natural, realistic effects.

P9 Oil Paint Set's Earth Colours:

Burnt Sienna: A reddish-brown earth tone that is incredibly versatile, offering warmth and richness to both landscapes and portraits.
Yellow Ochre: A staple in any artist's palette, this earthy yellow is perfect for creating a wide range of natural hues, from skin tones to sunlit landscapes.
Burnt Umber: A dark, rich brown that serves as an excellent alternative to black, providing depth without dulling the vibrancy of your colours.

Adding a Touch of Creativity

To add a touch of creativity, the P9 Artist Oil Paint Set also includes a fun colour—Natural Mica Gold—for those looking to explore new possibilities in their artwork. This shimmering pigment adds a unique element to your palette, perfect for modern and abstract pieces.

These colours have been chosen with care, considering what artists need for both landscape oil painting and portrait oil painting. Whether you are a beginner artist or a professional artist, our P9 Artisan Oil Paint Kit and P9 Artist Oil Paint Set are the best options for achieving high-quality results.

The Importance and Advantages of a Limited Colour Palette

A limited colour palette might seem restrictive, but it offers several significant advantages, especially for artists looking to master their craft:

Better Colour Harmony: With fewer colours to choose from, you’re forced to mix your own shades, which often results in a more harmonious and cohesive palette. This is particularly important for achieving balance in landscape, portrait, and abstract painting.
Improved Mixing Skills: A limited palette encourages artists to learn how to mix colours more effectively. This skill is essential for creating a broad range of hues, tones, and shades, enhancing your overall technique.
Consistency in Artwork: Using a limited number of colours ensures that your artwork has a consistent look and feel. This is especially beneficial for series or themed collections where visual cohesion is important.
Cost-Effective: Investing in fewer, higher-quality pigments, like those in our P9 Artisan Oil Paint Kit and P9 Artist Oil Paint Set, can be more economical in the long run. These carefully selected pigments allow you to create a vast array of colours without the need for a large, overwhelming palette.

Conclusion:

Selecting the right oil paint colours is key to creating a balanced and versatile palette. By starting with carefully chosen non-toxic primary colours and complementing them with harmonising earth tones, you can create stunning works of art that are both safe and vibrant. For those looking to build or expand their oil paint collection, our P9 Artisan Oil Paint Kit and P9 Artist Oil Paint Set—each featuring nine essential colours—provide everything you need, offering the highest quality pigments for any artistic endeavour. Happy painting!

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Are handmade oil paints suitable for beginners?

Yes, handmade oil paints are suitable for beginner artists, especially those interested in learning more about the paint-making process and controlling the quality of their materials. Making oil paint from scratch can help you better understand pigments, textures, and the chemistry of paint. For beginners, our P9 Artisan Oil Paint Kit is a perfect introduction, providing high-quality, non-toxic pigments and materials for a safe and rewarding experience.

What materials do I need to make my own oil paints?

To make your own oil paints, you'll need the following materials:

Pigments: Dry, finely ground powders in the colours of your choice.
Drying Oil: Linseed oil, walnut oil, or other natural oils to bind the pigments.
Palette Knife: For mixing the pigments with the oil.
Glass Muller and Grinding Plate: These tools help ensure the pigment is evenly dispersed into the oil for a smooth, professional-quality paint.
Paint Tubes: For storing your handmade paints.

Our P9 Artisan Oil Paint Kit comes with nine high-quality natural, Earth and synthetic mineral pigments, along with a natural oil binder, perfect for those looking to make their own non-toxic oil paints.

Please note:The mixing tools are not included in the kit.

How do I store homemade oil paints?

To keep your mixed oil paints fresh and maintain their quality, here are some effective storage methods:

Airtight Aluminium Tubes: Transfer your mixed oil paints into airtight aluminium tubes to minimize air exposure. Fill the tube about three-quarters full, then flatten and fold the end using a putty knife. Pinch the end with pliers to seal it airtight. Properly sealed, your paint can last for weeks or even months.
Refrigeration: Store your palette in the refrigerator to slow down drying. This method can keep your paint usable for several days to a week. Make sure to cover the palette with cling film or place it in an airtight container before refrigerating.
Freezing: For longer storage, place your palette in the freezer. This can keep your paint fresh for several weeks. Before using the paint, let it warm up slightly to avoid condensation. This method is especially handy if you paint regularly.
Cling Film: Cover your palette with cling film to reduce air exposure. This is a quick and easy way to keep your paint usable for a few days.
Glass Jars: For longer storage, transfer your paint into small glass jars. Adding a few drops of clove oil can help prevent the paint from drying out too quickly. Ensure the jars are tightly sealed.
Aluminium Foil: Scrape any leftover paint onto small squares of aluminium foil and fold it to create an airtight seal. This can preserve your paint for a few weeks. Label the foil with a smudge of the paint colour for easy identification.

Using these methods will help you extend the life of your mixed oil paints, ensuring you get the most out of your materials.

When were oil paints invented?

Oil paints are believed to have been invented around the early 15th century, with Jan van Eyck, a Flemish painter, often credited for refining the medium. While oil paints may have existed before this, it was during the Northern Renaissance that their use became widespread. Van Eyck's use of linseed oil as a binder allowed for richer colours, smoother blending, and slower drying times, which changed the art world and led to the eventual dominance of oil paints in Europe.

What did artists use before oil paint was invented?

Before the invention of oil paint, artists primarily used egg tempera and encaustic (a wax-based paint) as their main painting mediums. Egg tempera, made from pigment mixed with egg yolk, was widely used in the Byzantine and Renaissance periods due to its fast drying properties and ability to produce fine detail. Encaustic paints, created with pigments suspended in hot beeswax, were commonly used in ancient Egypt for portraiture. These mediums offered longevity but lacked the flexibility and blendability of oil paints.

Can oil paints be used for Alla Prima painting?

Yes, oil paints are perfect for the Alla Prima or "wet-on-wet" technique. This method allows artists to apply layers of oil paint without waiting for the previous layers to dry, creating a more spontaneous and immediate painting style. Natural oil paints, like those found in our P9 Artisan Oil Paint Kit, are excellent for Alla Prima as they offer vibrant colours and smooth blending without toxic solvents, making them ideal for both beginners and professional artists.

What are non-toxic oil paints?

Non-toxic oil paints are made without harmful chemicals, heavy metals, or volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that are commonly found in traditional oil paints. Instead, they use natural pigments and binders like linseed or walnut oil, offering a safer alternative for artists and the environment. These paints are free from toxic additives like cadmium, lead, and cobalt, which can cause health issues over time. Non-toxic oil paints, such as those found in our P9 Artist Oil Paint Set, are perfect for art lovers, students, and professionals who prioritise safety while maintaining vibrant, high-quality results.

Are natural oil paints better for the environment?

Yes, natural oil paints are far better for the environment compared to synthetic oil paints. Traditional oil paints often contain toxic additives, stabilisers, and heavy metals that pose risks to both the artist and the environment. In contrast, natural oil paints use eco-friendly, non-toxic pigments and natural binders, reducing their environmental impact. Our P9 Artist Oil Paint Set is an excellent option for artists looking for vegan, non-toxic oil paints that are safe and sustainable.

How to fix hardened oil paint?

If your oil paint has hardened or become too thick to use, here are a few methods to fix it and restore its workability:

Add Linseed Oil or Other Paint Mediums: If the oil paint is just starting to dry out or has become thick, adding a few drops of linseed oil or a specialised oil painting medium can help rehydrate the paint and restore its creamy texture. Mix thoroughly using a palette knife until the paint is smooth again.
Use a Paint Thinner: For more stubbornly hardened paint, you can add a small amount of odourless mineral spirits, turpentine, or another non-toxic paint thinner to dissolve the dried portions. Be careful not to add too much, as it can make the paint too thin and affect its consistency.
Warm the Paint Gently: Slightly warming the hardened paint (by placing the tube in warm water or near a mild heat source) can soften it enough to mix more easily with a medium. Be careful not to overheat the paint, as this could damage the pigments.
Use a Palette Knife: If only the surface of the paint has hardened, you can scrape off the dried layer with a palette knife and use the softer paint underneath.

If your oil paint has fully dried and hardened, it may not be salvageable. Oil paints naturally dry through oxidation, and if too much air has been exposed to the paint over time, it may have cured beyond repair. To avoid this, ensure your paint tubes are tightly sealed when not in use.