
Today’s Question: Am I able to mix different brands of paint, or will that eventually cause issues with my painting?
Answer: Yes, it’s perfectly acceptable to mix different brands.
In fact, most professional artists use more than one brand of paint because they’ve discovered particular colors they like by various brands through experimentation. Two colors with the same name can vary in appearance from brand to brand, so artists tend to lean towards certain brands for different color variations over time based on personal preference.

Gamblin Sap Green oil paint and Utrecht Sap Green comparison for Master Oil Painting
I currently have Michael Harding, Utrecht, Gamblin, M. Graham, and RGH paints on my palette. Recently I’ve also experimented with Rembrandt, Winsor & Newton, Jack Richeson, and Williamsburg Oils.
*We aren’t sponsored by any of the above-mentioned companies
Most paint brands use linseed oil as the pigment binder, while M. Graham uses walnut oil as the binder. I’m partial to walnut oil because it tends to yellow less over time and has a longer track record than linseed oil. However, many artists actually like the slight yellowing you get from linseed oil because they say it gives a warm glow as it ages.
Two cautions as you experiment with your own colors and brands:
- Stay away from student grade paint. They use additives that aren’t as friendly to the aging process, and they use much less pigment in their paint.
- Some companies, even with artist grade paints, use excessive oil in their paints to save money since the oil binder is cheaper than pigment. The issue is that having too much oil causes increased yellowing, wrinkling, and other issues over time.
Have fun experimenting, and feel free let me know if you have any questions or insights along the way!
Do you have a question or tool you’re wondering about? Comment below and it might just end up as our next Painting Tip ‘r Tool!

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