The Classic Oil Experience with a Modern, Solvent-Free Twist

Winsor & Newton Artisan Water Mixable Oil Colours deliver the richness, depth, and buttery handling of traditional oils—without the need for harsh solvents. Formulated with modified linseed and safflower oils and a specially engineered emulsifier, Artisan oils allow you to thin, blend, and clean up with water. The result is an oil paint that looks and behaves just like conventional oils but offers a safer, more accessible experience for artists working in shared, home, or solvent-free environments.

These colors boast high pigment strength, a high percentage of single pigments, and variable opacity, making them ideal for a wide range of oil painting techniques—from thick impasto to delicate glazes. Water evaporates from the paint film quickly, leaving behind an oil layer that dries by oxidation, just like traditional oils. The dried film remains slightly softer, offering increased flexibility to better resist cracking as your surface expands and contracts. With drying times ranging from 2 to 12 days and easy cleanup using only soap and water, Artisan is oil painting made cleaner, safer, and just as satisfying.

Key Features

• Looks, feels, and performs like traditional oil paint
• Water-mixable—no need for hazardous solvents
• Made with modified linseed and safflower oils
• Thick, buttery consistency for expressive techniques
• High pigment strength and variable opacity
• Touch-dry in 2 to 12 days depending on color and film thickness
• Easy cleanup with soap and water

Perfect For

• Artists seeking solvent-free oil painting options
• Home studios, shared spaces, or health-sensitive environments
• Traditional oil techniques like glazing, blending, and impasto
• Painters who want increased flexibility and crack resistance
• Anyone looking to simplify oil painting without sacrificing quality