{"id":194,"date":"2022-01-30T10:28:49","date_gmt":"2022-01-30T10:28:49","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/gallerybry.com\/?p=194"},"modified":"2022-02-08T03:39:58","modified_gmt":"2022-02-08T03:39:58","slug":"the-ultimate-guide-to-student-vs-artist-grade-oil-paints","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gallerybry.com\/?p=194","title":{"rendered":"Student vs Artist Grade Oil Paints: The Ultimate Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

What You Will Learn <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In this comprehensive guide to student vs artist grade oil paints, you will learn the difference between each grade of oil paints and how to pick which oil paint grade is right for you. I will also discuss a bonus category of paint. And in the end there will be an exercise to help you experiment with oil paint.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

First let\u2019s discuss some key terms to help us better understand the differences between student and artist grade paints.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Key Oil Paint Terms<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Pigment<\/strong> Dry powders that give paints their color<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Binders <\/strong>Typically linseed, walnut, or safflower oils used to contain the pigment<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pigment Load<\/strong> The ratio of colored pigment to the oil binder<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Extenders<\/strong> Colorless pigments like calcium carbonate used to partially replace colored pigment<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tinting Strength <\/strong>How much one pigment will effect another when mixing colors<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Opacity<\/strong> How easily one pigment covers another<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Student Grade Paint<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Student grade oil paint is typically a more affordable option and, as the name implies, it is marketed toward art students and beginners. But what makes it more affordable and why is it marketed toward beginners?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

First, it is important to remember that paint typically consists of three components: pigment, an oil binder, and sometimes fillers and extenders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Student grade paint typically has less colored pigment in the tube. The pigment is what makes paint expensive, so having less pigment is why student grade paint is more affordable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To compensate for less colored pigment, manufacturers typically add extenders, which are less expensive than colored pigment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The extenders often do not effect the color of the paint, but they do effect the tinting strength. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What this means is that with less colored pigment and a weaker tinting strength, you will need to use more paint to mix the colors you desire and to get more opaque coverage on your canvas or panel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, if you have a pile of blue student grade paint, you\u2019ll have to add much more yellow to mix a green you desire. This is okay if you paint thickly or don\u2019t want to tightly control the thickness of your paint mixtures. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition, if you have a blank white canvas, and would like to paint it a single color, like burnt umber, you might need to use more student grade paint to get full coverage and get the canvas to a darker value. But student grade paint could work well for under paintings, which tend to be a bit more transparent. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The last aspect to note about student grade paint is that there are typically fewer pigment options. This shouldn\u2019t be a major limiting factor, because if you are just starting to learn to paint it can be helpful to start with just three primary colors and white. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is important to note that there is no standard for how manufacturers name paint grades. Many use the term student grade but others may use words such as academy or collegiate line. Other lines, like Gamblin\u2019s 1980, don\u2019t list any terms on the front of the tube to indicate it is student grade paint. So you have to be sure to research each brand. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Below are some common examples of student grade paint brands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n