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The Best 49 Gamblin Oil Paints

This comprehensive guide reviews Gamblin's oil paint products, highlighting their quality, color range, and traditional craftsmanship.

Our comprehensive guide to Gamblin oil paint examines the brand's popular colors, their lightfastness, and performance in different techniques. We help you choose the right paints for your style and goals.

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Reviews

Gamblin 1980 Oil Viridian

Gamblin 1980 Oil Viridian | Image

Gamblin's 1980 Oil Viridian stands out among student-grade oil paints through its rich pigment intensity and American craftsmanship. The 37 ml tube offers economical yet professional-quality coverage, making it ideal for both student practice and detailed work. Its smooth consistency and true color reproduction make it a versatile addition to any artist's palette, from beginners experimenting with oil painting to experienced artists looking for reliable, pigment-rich color.

Gamblin Oil Painting Ground

Gamblin Oil Painting Ground | Image

This USA-made oil painting ground speeds up drying time from six months to just one week, making it a popular alternative to traditional lead oil grounds. Coming in a convenient 8 oz can, it creates a non-absorbent surface that's ideal for detailed oil paintings.

Gamblin Artist Oil Paint Set

Gamblin Artist Oil Paint Set | Image

This curated set delivers six precise shades of grey, from light to deep, all formulated by master painter Robert Gamblin using pure pigments and refined oils. The 37ml tubes provide just the right amount for controlled mixing, while the satin finish gives your paintings a natural, gallery-ready sheen. Each tube contains 1.3 fluid ounces of beautifully pigmented oil color that's both safe to use and built to last for generations of artists.

Gamblin 1980 Oil Raw Sienna 150 ml

Gamblin 1980 Oil Raw Sienna 150 ml | Image

The Gamblin 1980 Oil Raw Sienna comes in a 150ml tube, offering quality pigments at an affordable price. These student-grade oils use pure pigments, refined linseed oil, and calcium carbonate, providing rich color without the texture compromises found in less expensive paints. Made in America, this raw sienna delivers the same dedication to quality found in Gamblin's Artist Oils while keeping costs down for artists and students.

Gamblin Artist Oil Paint

Gamblin Artist Oil Paint | Image

Gamblin's Artist Oil paint strikes the perfect balance of traditional craftsmanship and modern innovation. Each color remains true to its pigment's unique characteristics, whether you're mixing earthy greens or bright blues. The paint dries to a beautiful matte finish in just 18 hours, making it ideal for both indoor and outdoor projects. With over 95 colors available in 37ml tubes, you're sure to find exactly what you need for your next masterpiece.

Gamblin 1980 Oil Paint

Gamblin 1980 Oil Paint | Image

The 1980 Hansa Yellow Light from Gamblin brings a vibrant, sunny yellow to your palette. At just 37ml, it's a generous student-grade portion that packs professional pigmentation. Real linseed oil and calcium carbonate give it smooth consistency and vibrant color, making it ideal for both practicing artists and those mixing with other colors.

Gamblin Oil Painting Ground

Gamblin Oil Painting Ground | Image

This thick, alkyd-based ground transforms canvas and linen into a superior surface for oil painting, offering unparalleled tooth and opacity thanks to its blend of titanium dioxide and barium sulfate. Unlike traditional oil grounds, Gamblin's formula requires only two coats instead of the typical four, drying in just one week for ultimate convenience. The non-absorbent surface retains oil pigments exceptionally well, resulting in vibrant color payoff that traditional grounds simply can't match.

Gamblin Artist Grade Oil Color 37ml

Gamblin Artist Grade Oil Color 37ml | Image

Transparent Earth Yellow from Gamblin's Artist Grade oil colors brings sunny warmth to your palette with its natural earthy undertones. The pure pigment delivers vibrant, light-fast yellows that pop in any composition, while the silky smooth consistency glides effortlessly across your canvas. This versatile hue excels in both underpainting and highlighting details, letting you capture the full spectrum of natural light and color.

Gamblin Artist Grade Oil Paint – Portland Grey Light, 37ml

Gamblin Artist Grade Oil Paint – Portland Grey Light, 37ml | Image

The Gamblin Artist Grade Oil Color comes in a 37ml tube, offering a solid 1.3 fl oz of pure pigment for your painting project. This particular shade, Portland Grey Light, lets you capture subtle tones that add depth to any scene. Whether you're working on a detailed indoor mural or capturing the changing light outdoors, this oil color delivers the rich, lasting quality you'd expect from a premium paint brand.

Gamblin Artist Oil 37ml Cadmium Lemon

Gamblin Artist Oil 37ml Cadmium Lemon | Image

Gamblin's oil paint maintains the natural characteristics of each pigment, ensuring vibrant color and authentic texture. The fast-drying formula enables quick, matte finishes, while the pure pigments deliver unparalleled quality for both plein air and studio work. Whether you're a professional artist or serious hobbyist, these paints offer exceptional performance and reliability.

Gamblin 1980 Oil Paint

Gamblin 1980 Oil Paint | Image

Gamblin's 1980 oil paints combine professional-grade pigments with traditional oil painting techniques, offering superior color intensity and texture at an accessible price point. The American-made paints deliver the same pure quality found in their premium Artist Oils, making them an excellent choice for both amateur and intermediate artists. The student-grade formulation maintains affordability while delivering the working properties expected of professional oil paints.

Gamblin Artist Oil Cool White 37 ml

Gamblin Artist Oil Cool White 37 ml | Image

Gamblin's artist oil paints hit the sweet spot with their professional-grade pigmentation and smooth application. Unlike some competitors, these oils don't need thinning – they're just the right consistency straight from the tube. The cool white version gives you that perfect, slightly bluish undertone you'd expect from technical white paints.

Gamblin Gamsol Oil Paints

Gamblin Gamsol Oil Paints | Image

This odorless mineral spirit safely replaces harsh solvents while maintaining traditional painting techniques. A single application works wonders for thinning oil colors and cleaning brushes, making it an invaluable addition to any artist's studio. Users praise its exceptional performance, noting that a little goes a long way and it can be effectively recycled for multiple uses.

Gamblin Safflower Oil

Gamblin Safflower Oil | Image

This artist-grade safflower oil offers a balanced approach to oil painting, combining natural viscosity with enhanced flow properties. Its remarkable ability to clean brushes while painting makes it a versatile addition to any studio. Whether you're glazing intricate details or working with large canvases, this slow-drying oil helps maintain color vibrancy without the harsh fumes of traditional solvents.

Gamblin Oil Color

Gamblin Oil Color | Image

When I started out as an artist, my grandmother introduced me to Gamblin's Hansa Yellow Medium. With its deep, saturated color and buttery consistency, it quickly became my go-to yellow for landscape paintings. The best part? It dries to a lovely matte finish in just 18 hours, giving my outdoor scenes that perfect al fresco look. While the original tube might ooze a bit when you open it, trust me, you'll fall in love with this paint's rich texture and deep hue.

Gamblin Burnt Plate Oil #000

Gamblin Burnt Plate Oil #000 | Image

Made for traditional copperplate printing, this oil helps keep your details sharp while making your inks just right for the job. Whether you're working with relief prints or collagraphs, it's like having a pro by your side, getting your inks to perform perfectly every time.

Gamblin Linseed Stand Oil

Gamblin Linseed Stand Oil | Image

Gamblin's Linseed Stand Oil is a thickened version of their refined linseed oil, perfect for controlling paint flow and achieving a smooth, enamel-like finish. This USA-made oil creates a gloss finish that helps prevent yellowing, making it a popular choice among professional artists. Mix it with Gamblin's Gamsol to create a versatile painting medium that thins oil paints while maintaining fast-drying properties.

Gamblin 1980 Oil Van Dyke Brown

Gamblin 1980 Oil Van Dyke Brown | Image

Gamblin's 1980 Oil Van Dyke Brown brings authentic studio-grade quality to student artists without breaking the bank. Each 37ml tube packs pure pigments and traditional oils into a surprisingly affordable package that's proven just as reliable for practice sessions as more expensive alternatives. The paint formula, which avoids artificial stiffeners, allows for buttery smooth application while maintaining vibrant color payoff.

Gamblin Artist Oil Paint

Gamblin Artist Oil Paint | Image

The Gamblin Artist Oil 150 ml Raw Umber brings authentic pigmentation to your canvas, with each stroke containing no adulterants for genuine color characteristics. The 18-hour drying time makes it perfect for layering and quick drying projects, while its mineral-based formula delivers the lasting quality professional painters demand.

Gamblin Artist Grade Oil Color 37ml Permanent Green Light

Gamblin Artist Grade Oil Color 37ml Permanent Green Light | Image

Each 37ml tube of Gamblin Artist Grade Oil Color retains the natural characteristics of its pigments, from intense hues to subtle undertones. The fast-drying formula creates a matte finish in just 18 hours, ideal for both indoor and outdoor projects. This versatile oil color has stood the test of time, offering professional artists a reliable choice since 1980.

Gamblin 1980 Naples Yellow Oil Paint

Gamblin 1980 Naples Yellow Oil Paint | Image

Gamblin's 1980 oil colors offer professional-quality pigmentation in a student-grade format, with pure pigments and traditional oil painting techniques at an affordable price point. The American-made paint provides vibrant, buttery textures that mix well and maintain their brilliance over time – ideal for both beginners and experienced artists looking to experiment without compromise.

Gamblin Artist Oil Paint

Gamblin Artist Oil Paint | Image

Gamblin's Artists' Oil paints combine traditional craftsmanship with modern innovations for superior painting performance. The 150 ml quick-dry white delivers pure pigment intensity with satin finish reliability. Whether you're mixing small details or covering large areas, this professional-grade white performs exceptionally well with Gamblin's full range of colors.

Gamblin 1980 Oil 37ml Cobalt Violet

Gamblin 1980 Oil 37ml Cobalt Violet | Image

These 1980 oil paints from Gamblin offer student-grade quality at an exceptionally reasonable price point, featuring pure pigments and traditional manufacturing methods. The 37ml cobalt violet provides true color representation and excellent mixing properties, making it ideal for both beginners and experienced artists who want quality pigments without the high cost of professional-grade paints. Whether you're just starting out or expanding your color collection, these versatile paints deliver professional results at a budget-friendly price.

Gamblin 150ml Oil Color - Alizarin Crimson

Gamblin 150ml Oil Color - Alizarin Crimson | Image

A 150ml tube of pure pigments and finest refined linseed oil, this Alizarin Crimson retains rich tinting strength and authentic texture. Ideal for precise mixing and underpainting, it dries quickly to a natural matte finish.

Gamblin 1980 Oil Napthol Red

Gamblin 1980 Oil Napthol Red | Image

gamblin's 1980 oil paint offers rich, pure colors at an accessible price point, with professional-grade quality you'd expect from Gamblin's Artist Oils. Made in America, this student-grade paint delivers the same refined linseed oil and calcium carbonate as their premium line, ensuring smooth mixing and vibrant results without the hassle of unground pigments. The 37ml tube provides generous coverage for practice sessions or small projects, making it an excellent choice for artists at any skill level.

Gamblin Artists Oil - Quick Dry White, 8oz Can

Gamblin Artists Oil - Quick Dry White, 8oz Can | Image

Gamblin's quick-drying white oil paint offers a rich pigmentation and creamy consistency that distinguishes it from conventional titanium whites. The pure pigment formula delivers reliable color performance while maintaining the distinctive characteristics of oil medium interaction. The satin-finished 8oz can provides convenient portion control for both studio work and plein air painting.

Gamblin Galkyd Lite 8oz

Gamblin Galkyd Lite 8oz | Image

When you need your oil paint to dry faster without sacrificing quality, Gamblin's Galkyd Lite is the perfect solution. It thins your paint while maintaining brushstrokes and adding that coveted enamel-like finish. Whether you're working on a tight deadline or just want your painting to touch-dry in under a day, this medium is a game-changer for oil painters who value both speed and permanence.

Gamblin 1980 Oil Color Prussian Blue

Gamblin 1980 Oil Color Prussian Blue | Image

The Gamblin 1980 oil colors bring professional quality to student-grade pricing, with true pigments and pure linseed oil. These American-made paints create smooth, creamy consistency while offering vibrant color and excellent mixing properties. Whether you're a beginner exploring oil painting or an experienced artist looking for affordable quality, these colors deliver professional results without the premium price tag.

Gamblin Raw Sienna Oil Paint

Gamblin Raw Sienna Oil Paint | Image

Gamblin's raw sienna demonstrates why the brand is favored by professional artists. The natural earth color retains its distinctive properties without artificial additives, offering painters the authentic pigment experience they desire. The oil paint's refined formula, combining pure pigments with alkali-refined linseed oil and safflower oil, creates a richly saturated base for both indoor and outdoor artwork. The 37 ml tube provides generous quantity for underpainting or detailed work, all while keeping the studio odor manageable.

Gamblin Artist Oil

Gamblin Artist Oil | Image

Gamblin's Artist Oil paint delivers rich, saturated colors with every stroke. The silver tubes hold 37ml of pure pigment mixed with refined linseed oil – no fillers or extenders here. Each color retains its unique characteristics, from deep earthy tones to vibrant metallics. The fast-drying formula makes it ideal for plein air painting, with matte finishes developing in just 18 hours.

Gamblin Artists' Oil Paint

Gamblin Artists' Oil Paint | Image

The Gamblin Artist Oil 150 ml Ivory Black delivers pure pigment intensity without the compromise of added fillers or adulterants. Each stroke retains vivid color characteristics, from deep matte finishes to vibrant transparency – exactly as nature intended. Whether you're mixing subtle earthy tones or bold black shadows, this professional-grade paint responds beautifully to your brushwork, offering the true texture and strength of premium oil colors.

Gamblin Artist Grade Oil Paint - Copper

Gamblin Artist Grade Oil Paint - Copper | Image

Gamblin's Artist Grade oil colors deliver pure pigments mixed with fine linseed oil, preserving each hue's unique characteristics. The FastMatte formula dries to a uniform matte finish in just 18 hours, ideal for both indoor and outdoor use. Whether you're working on a plein air piece or an extended studio canvas, these long-lasting colors mix perfectly with Gamblin's solvent-free mediums to enhance your painting technique.

Gamblin Artist Oil 37 ml Warm White

Gamblin Artist Oil 37 ml Warm White | Image

Gamblin's Artist Oil paints use pure pigments in refined linseed and safflower oil, offering rich, saturated colors with bold textures. Each 37ml tube delivers professional-gradeResults in a versatile palette of mineral and organic pigments, while staying true to the brand's commitment to quality and authenticity.

Gamblin 1980 Oil Red

Gamblin 1980 Oil Red | Image

Made in America, this student-grade oil paint offers professional-quality results with pure pigments and refined linseed oil. The creamy consistency and true color payoff make it a popular choice among artists, whether you're just starting out or experimenting with new colors. At 150ml, it's an economical way to stock up on basic oil paint colors.

Gamblin 1980 Oil 37ml White

Gamblin 1980 Oil 37ml White | Image

Gamblin's 1980 Oil Colors stand out for their purity of pigment and traditional craftsmanship. Each tube mixes real pigments with refined linseed oil and marble dust, delivering rich color and lasting brilliance. The transparent white offers an uplifting brightness that enhances every hue it's mixed with, making it a practical choice for both beginners and experienced artists who value color accuracy.

Jerry's Artarama Gamblin Old Master's Oil Paint Set

Jerry's Artarama Gamblin Old Master's Oil Paint Set | Image

Robert Gamblin's oil paints create rich, lasting colors through precise pigment formulation, while the 37ml tubes deliver controlled quantities for professional artists. Each tube contains pure pigments mixed with refined linseed oil, producing vibrant hues that retain their integrity over time. The non-toxic, satin-finished paints work well for both indoor and outdoor projects, though no customer reviews are currently available to share more details about their performance.

Gamblin 1980 Oil Color Yellow Ochre

Gamblin 1980 Oil Color Yellow Ochre | Image

These student-grade oil paints from Gamblin offer exceptional value while maintaining professional standards. Formulated with pure pigments and traditional techniques, each 150ml tube delivers vibrant color and smooth application.

Gamblin Oil Mediums Set of 6

Gamblin Oil Mediums Set of 6 | Image

This six-piece set gives artists a taste of Gamblin's professional-quality mediums, combining traditional properties with modern safety features. The collection includes essential items like Gamsol cleaner, linseed oil, and cold wax medium, helping painters experiment with different techniques in a practical, travel-friendly package.

Gamblin Artist's Oil Color - Burnt Sienna

Gamblin Artist's Oil Color - Burnt Sienna | Image

Gamblin's oil paints stand out for their pure pigments and fine-linseed oil base, preserving each color's unique characteristics. The 16oz can offers generous volume for deep tones and rich texture, though some find the paint's strong odor and stiff consistency challenging. Overall, professional artists praise the vibrant pigmentation and lasting quality, though personal preferences vary between the brand's offerings and competitors.

Gamblin Artist Oil: Warm White

Gamblin Artist Oil: Warm White | Image

Gamblin's oil paints stand out in the competitive world of artist-grade colors, thanks to their commitment to using pure pigments without any additives. This dedication shows in every tube, whether you're working with traditional whites like the one described here or modern organic colors. While some might prefer the smoother texture of competing products, the Gamblin paints offer unparalleled color purity and lasting quality that makes them worth the investment for serious artists.

Gamblin 1980 Oil Raw Umber 37 ml

Gamblin 1980 Oil Raw Umber 37 ml | Image

These artist-quality oil paints deliver professional results without the high price tag, featuring genuine pigments in a traditional formula of refined linseed oil and marble dust. Perfect for both beginners and experienced artists who appreciate vibrant color and smooth application.

Gamblin Artist Grade Oil Color 150ml Chromatic Black

Gamblin Artist Grade Oil Color 150ml Chromatic Black | Image

The Chromatic Black from Gamblin's Artist Grade Oil Color collection brings intense depth and purity to your artwork. Made with high-quality pigments and refined linseed oil, this 150ml tube delivers rich black tones without artificial additives. It dries quickly to a matte finish while maintaining the pigment's natural characteristics.

Gamblin Artist Grade Oil Color

Gamblin Artist Grade Oil Color | Image

These artist-grade oil colors deliver exceptional pigmentation and texture, featuring pure mineral and organic pigments mixed with refined linseed oil. The fast-drying formula produces a matte finish in just 18 hours, while the vibrant hues maintain their unique characteristics without adulterants. With reliable performance across various mixing techniques, these paints have earned a strong reputation among professional artists for their consistent quality and versatile results.

Gamblin 1980 Oil Alizarin Crimson 37 ml

Gamblin 1980 Oil Alizarin Crimson 37 ml | Image

The 37 ml alizarin crimson from Gamblin's 1980 collection delivers rich, clean pigment in a student-grade oil paint formulation. Made in the USA with traditional techniques, it matches the quality of Gamblin's artist oils at a more affordable price point. The pure pigment mixture creates vibrant color without the texture compromises found in cheaper paints.

Gamblin 1980 Oil Paint

Gamblin 1980 Oil Paint | Image

These oil paints pack a surprisingly robust pigment punch for their student-grade classification, handling mixing and layering beautifully despite their more accessible price point. The smoothly textured formula glides onto surfaces effortlessly while maintaining just the right amount of body for detailed work. Whether you're just starting out or experimenting with new techniques, these paints deliver vibrant color while keeping costs down.

Gamblin Artist Oil Paint

Gamblin Artist Oil Paint | Image

When professional artists choose Gamblin oil paints, they're opting for premium pigments free from additives. The Cool White shade, available in 150ml tubes, delivers the distinct characteristics of pure titanium-zinc pigment in refined linseed oil, offering both traditional and modern color options for sophisticated painting results.

Gamblin 1980 Oil Mars Black

Gamblin 1980 Oil Mars Black | Image

Gamblin's 1980 oil paint line brings professional quality to student-grade pricing, with pure pigments and traditional oil paint formulation. Made in the USA, these versatile paints work beautifully for both novice and experienced artists, offering rich color and smooth consistency. Whether you're just starting out or building your color collection, these student-grade oils deliver exceptional value without compromise.

Gamblin 1980 Oil Color Set

Gamblin 1980 Oil Color Set | Image

This student-grade oil paint set from Gamblin offers affordable, high-quality colors made with pure pigments and traditional materials. The included cadmium yellow light, cadmium red light, alizarin crimson, ultramarine blue, and phthalo green provide rich, vibrant hues that mix beautifully on the canvas. The solvent-free formula ensures smooth, luscious brushstrokes while maintaining the timeless properties of oil painting.

Gamblin Artist's Oil Colors Introductory Set

Gamblin Artist's Oil Colors Introductory Set | Image

The Gamblin Artist's Oil Colors Introductory Set gives you a carefully chosen collection of9 high-quality oil colors, each in a convenient 37ml tube. The set includes popular colors like cadmium yellow and ultramarine blue, helping you mix a wide range of natural and vibrant hues. The primed, North American birch panel makes it easy to start painting right away.

Buyer's Guide

Gamblin Oil Paints are a popular choice for professional artists due to their vibrant colors and excellent mixing properties. When selecting these paints, several key factors influence performance and satisfaction.

Color Selection

Gamblin offers a comprehensive range of colors, from primaries to earth tones and metallics. Consider your painting style and preferred color palette when selecting specific hues. Premium colors generally have better lightfastness and mixing characteristics.

Paint Viscosity

Paint consistency affects application and durability. Thicker paints work well for detailed work and texture building, while thinner paints are suitable for glazing and washes. Test various consistencies to determine which works best for your techniques.

Container Options

Gamblin offers both tube and bottle formats. Tubes provide good flow and mixability but limit palette selection. Bottles offer more convenient refills but require better seal integrity to prevent drying. Consider your work habits and painting environment when choosing a container type.

Canvas Preparation and Care

Clean, dry surfaces are essential for paint adhesion and longevity. Properly primed canvas prevents color bleeding and extends paint life. Store open containers in a cool, dry place to maintain paint quality. Regular cleaning with appropriate solvents ensures proper tool function and paint application.

FAQ

What makes Gamblin Oil Paint unique?

Gamblin Oil Paints stand out in the market through their premium-quality ingredients and consistent color stability. Unlike some artists' paints, Gamblin maintains thicker viscosity levels, preventing the need for additivesthat can affect color intensity.

Their unique formula combines modern synthetic pigments with traditional oil painting media, giving artists superior lightfastness and lasting brilliance without the compromise of water-mixability.

How do Gamblin's color palettes compare to competitors?

Gamblin offers comprehensive primary palettes that mix accurately, unlike some brands where secondaries appear dirty or muddy. Their white range features multiple options, each serving different purposes from opaque coverage to finesse skin tones.

Secondary colors showcase exceptional transparency and mixing versatility, particularly for neutral shades. The brown range is particularly praised for its natural earthy qualities rather than artificial earth alternatives.

What advantages do their medium options provide?

Gamblin's mediums enhance paint application and longevity. Their Universal Medium, for instance, improves flow and clean-up, while their Gel Medium adds body without altering color properties.

Their Retarder extends drying time by 3-5 days, crucial for multi-layering and detailed work, without affecting brush characteristics. Each medium is designed to complement the paint's original properties, maintaining color integrity during mixing and application.

How consistent is the color across batches?

Color consistency in Gamblin Oil Paints is exceptional, with each batch undergoing rigorous quality control. The company guarantees batch-to-batch consistency for up to five years since manufacture, ensuring artists receive the same quality paint regardless of purchase date.

This commitment to consistency means colors stay true over time, with reports of even five-year-old tubes maintaining their original intensity. However, color can slightly darken when exposed to light, as with all oil paints.

Are these paints suitable for all techniques?

Gamblin Oil Paints excel across various techniques, from traditional glazing to modern mixed media applications. Their thick consistency works well for impasto, while the reduced consistency options perform beautifully in thin washes and glazing techniques.

The paint holds its structure well during technical processes like scumbling and sgraffito, maintaining its physical properties even after multiple applications and thinning. This versatility makes them suitable for both traditional and experimental painting approaches.

What is the proper storage for these paints?

Proper storage is essential for maintaining Gamblin Oil Paints' quality. Store tubes in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and extreme temperatures, which can affect both the paint and the tube's rubber stopper.

Rolled paint should be used within two years and kept in its original tube for best results. If paint is left open, it should be stored in an airtight container at room temperature, checking for signs of spoilage before reuse.

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