Are you looking to give your painting masterpiece a professional finish? Then you must have heard about Gamblin oil paint and Winsor and Newton. But how do they stack up against each other? If you’re wondering what the difference is between these two brands, read on.
We compare Gamblin oil paint vs Winsor and Newton and uncover the subtle differences in color range, consistency, drying time, pigment quality, transparency, solvent content, consistency across colors, handling properties, texture, and price.
Differences Between Gamblin oil paint vs Winsor and Newton
Gamblin oil paints and Winsor & Newton oil paints are two popular brands of professional-grade paint that both offer high-quality results. Both lines of paint feature a wide range of colors and consistencies, but there are important distinctions between the two that should be considered when choosing which brand to use:
01: Color Range
Gamblin and Winsor & Newton both offer a wide range of colors, though Gamblin’s palette is slightly larger. Gamblin has over 96 oil paints, offering more traditional and historical hues such as Veridian Green Hue, Venetian Red, and Cadmium Yellow Light.
Winsor & Newton also has an impressive selection of around 133 paint colors, ranging from the standard Titanium White to the luxurious genuine cobalt blues. Although Gamblin may have a slightly larger color range than Winsor & Newton, both brands will provide plenty of options for artists looking to create various works.
02: Consistency
Gamblin oils tend to be slightly thicker than those offered by Winsor & Newton, making them better suited for impasto techniques that require the heavy application of paint on canvas or board.
This viscosity difference comes from the oil-to-pigment ratios used in each brand’s paints. With larger amounts of oil in their formula, Gamblin paints can hold their form better than the thinner Winsor & Newton varieties.
03: Drying Time
Regarding drying time, there is a slight advantage to using Gamblin oils rather than those from Winsor & Newton. The thicker consistency of Gamblin paints means they can dry faster than the thinner formulas used in Winsor & Newton products.
This can benefit artists who need to work quickly or layer their paintings without worrying about smudging or other forms of disruption before the layers below have dried completely.
04: Pigment Quality
Both manufacturers use top-quality pigments in their oil paints, ensuring they last longer and remain vibrant. But, what sets Winsor & Newton apart is its use of some of the most expensive pigments available today, such as genuine cobalt and cadmium.
Both are known for superior longevity and vibrancy compared to less expensive alternatives. This means that paintings created with these pigments will last longer without fading or becoming dull over time. It makes them perfect for artwork that withstands harsh elements like sunlight or humidity without losing brilliance.
05: Transparency
Winsor & Newton offers more transparent and translucent colors than those in Gamblin’s collection. It makes them ideal for certain painting techniques, such as glazing or underpainting, where translucency is essential.
This makes these particular pigments suitable for creating subtle effects within one’s artwork, effects that would not be achievable with opaque oil paints alone.
06: Solvent Content
Gamblin uses a low-solvent recipe in their oil paints, which makes them safer and more environmentally friendly than Winsor & Newton’s higher solvent content. This means that Gamblin paints have less volatile organic compounds, making them an ideal choice for art studios concerned with high VOC levels’ effects on indoor air quality.
Also, low-solvent paints are easier to clean up after use and have a lower odor than higher-solvent paints.
07: Consistency Across Colors
Regarding consistency across color shades, Gamblin stands out as the clear winner. All their colors come pre-mixed with a consistent hue and intensity, so there is less inconsistency between batches or shades.
On the other hand, Winsor & Newton’s consistency can often vary depending on the pigment used. This can frustrate artists who want consistent results from one painting session to the next.
08: Handling Properties
Regarding handling properties, Gamblin has consistently earned top marks for its excellent mixture of oils and pigments, making it easy to work with and manipulate on the canvas. Its buttery texture allows you to blend colors and achieve subtle gradients without too much effort.
In comparison, Winsor & Newton oil paints tend to be slightly thicker in texture, making them harder to work with unless you are experienced in mixing paint mediums and thinning out oils as needed.
09: Texture
Winsor & Newton oil paints have a smoother texture than Gamblin (although some experienced painters find this desirable). Still, not everyone prefers this consistency when working on large canvases or creating detailed art pieces.
The smoothness of Winsor & Newton’s paint also means it dries faster than Gamblin’s, although some people prefer this since it helps keep their painting sessions more efficient by reducing waiting times between layers.
10: Price
Regarding price, Gamblin is generally considered a more affordable option compared to Winsor & Newton’s range of oil paints. This is largely due to the lower cost of ingredients used in producing Gamblin’s paints and their commitment to using sustainable practices throughout their production process.
That said, if you are looking for high-quality professional-grade paint, Winsor & Newton may still be your best bet, even if it comes at a slightly steeper cost than Gamblin’s offerings.
Get Ready to Create a Masterpiece with Gamblin or Winsor & Newton Oil Paint
When choosing an oil paint that meets your specific needs and expectations, there are many factors to consider. Ultimately it will depend on your budget and the type of art you wish to create.
Although both Gamblin oil paint and Winsor & Newton offer excellent quality paint with great consistency across colors, some distinctions exist between them regarding color range, transparency, solvent content and more.
Whether you prefer the brighter hues from Gamblin or the more subtle tones from Winsor & Newton, each brand has something unique. With careful consideration of price points and performance metrics like drying time and handling properties, you can decide which brand is right for creating your masterpieces.
S. Pushon is a paint expert, self-taught artist, and currently working as an adviser in the paint industry as a Quality Improvement and Development Assistant.
An artist by heart, he draws remarkable art pieces and as a professional paint industry individual, he seeks the insight and shares with enthusiasts. Read more…
