Holbein Artist Oil Colour
A world-class range of professional oil colours made with the purest pigments and exceptional quality control.
Available in 167 colours, the line includes:
- 145 standard colours in 20ml and 40ml tubes
- 11 transparent glazing colours in 20ml tubes
- 4 foundation colours in 110ml tubes
- 7 whites in 50ml, 110ml, 170ml tubes, and 330ml cans
Holbein Artist Oil is formulated to the Munsell Colour Standard for precise hue, value, and chroma. Each colour is ground up to 10 times to ensure consistent, buttery viscosity across the entire range. This results in smooth handling, high pigmentation, and reliable performance in both traditional and modern palettes.
Spirit of Petroleum
A petroleum-based distillate commonly used for thinning or mixing paints and varnishes.
Spirit of Turpentine
An essential oil distilled from gum turpentine or pine wood, used for thinning or mixing paints and varnishes.
Linseed Oil
A vegetable oil extracted from flaxseed. Used to thin oil colours and impart a natural luster. May cause slight yellowing over time due to residual film.
Poppy Oil
A light, non-yellowing oil extracted from poppy seeds. Used to thin oil colours and add lustre without residue.
LESOLVENT
A ready-to-use blend of Spirit of Turpentine, Poppy Oil, Siccative (drying agent), and resin. Enhances gloss and smoothness while reducing drying time.
Painting Oil
Similar to Lesolvent, but formulated with Linseed Oil instead of Poppy Oil. Increases flow, gloss, and drying speed.
Painting Varnish
A luster-enhancing varnish that, when combined with Poppy or Linseed Oil, adds high gloss and accelerates drying.
Picture Varnish
A final protective varnish applied about six months after completion. Restores lustre and shields the painted surface.
Retouch Varnish
A light gloss varnish used to restore uniform gloss on completed paintings. Ideal for touch-ups.
Sun Thickened Poppy Oil
A gloss medium made by condensing poppy oil through sun exposure. Produces a high-gloss, enamel-like finish when used alone.
Sun Thickened Linseed Oil
Naturally thickened by sun exposure. Offers improved viscosity, drying, and leveling. Can be diluted with turpentine or petroleum spirits.
White Matte Varnish
Used to reduce surface gloss, creating a soft, matte finish similar to watercolours. Ideal for viewing at various angles.
Stand Linseed Oil
A thickened linseed oil that enhances transparency, gloss, and brushstroke leveling. Has reduced yellowing and can be diluted with turpentine or petroleum spirits.
Spike Lavender Oil
A fragrant solvent distilled from lavender. Similar to turpentine but oxidizes more readily and evaporates more slowly.
Venetian Turpentine
A thick resin from European pine trees used in oil mediums. Adds gloss and transparency. Should be used with dry or volatile oils to reduce yellowing.
Holbein’s DUO Aqua Oil Colour, introduced in 1999, combines the richness and performance of traditional oil paints with the convenience of water cleanup. Ideal for artists seeking high-quality, solvent-free oil painting, DUO Aqua is professional-grade and exceptionally versatile.
Key Features
- 100 Artist Grade Colours
Richly pigmented and suspended in water-soluble refined linseed oil, DUO colours deliver high chroma and buttery texture with smooth handling. - Elite Colours
17 colours are designated “Elite,” containing traditional heavy-metal pigments like cadmiums and cobalts for unmatched intensity and opacity. - Excellent Lightfastness
Rated to the same archival standards as Holbein Artists’ Oils, DUO offers dependable permanence across the full range. - Water-Soluble & Solvent-Free
Clean your brushes with just soap and water—no need for solvents. DUO is ideal for shared studios, schools, and environmentally conscious artists. - Intermixable & Compatible
DUO blends seamlessly with:- Traditional oils and mediums
- Watercolour and gouache
- Acrylic gouache and acrylic paint
This makes it perfect for mixed media and transitional work between mediums.
- Versatile Applications
DUO excels in fine art painting, printmaking, and education. Its smooth, consistent texture and easy cleanup make it a favourite for instructors and professional artists alike.
Holbein DUO Aqua offers the performance of a traditional oil with the flexibility and ease of a modern, water-based system—without compromising pigment load, permanence, or working quality.
Holbein DUO Aqua Oil Mediums
Specially formulated for use with Holbein DUO Aqua Oils, these water-soluble mediums expand your creative control while maintaining a solvent-free workflow. Each medium can be thinned with water, and all share DUO’s signature water-mixable performance.
DUO Linseed Oil
Increases gloss and transparency while slowing drying time.
- Thins paint and enhances flow
- Dries clear despite a milky appearance when mixed with water
- Available in 55 ml & 200 ml
Note: May appear cloudy over time, but performance remains unaffected.
DUO Stand Linseed Oil
A thicker, polymerized linseed oil for a glossy, enamel-like finish.
- Levels brushstrokes for a smooth, elastic film
- Increases transparency and durability
- Milky when mixed with water, but dries clear
- Available in 55 ml
DUO Painting Oil Medium
Balances transparency, gloss, and drying time—great for detail work.
- Improves brushability and flow
- Can be used alone or with DUO Linseed Oil for stronger finishes
- Water-thinnable; dries clear
- Available in 55 ml & 200 ml
DUO Quick Drying Liquid
Accelerates drying while increasing gloss and flow.
- Tacky surface in as little as 30 minutes when mixed 1:1 with paint
- Do not exceed 50% in mixtures
- Can be thinned with water (reduces drying effect)
- Available in 55 ml & 200 ml
DUO Quick Drying Medium, Gloss Paste
A thick, water-based medium for fast drying and glossy transparency.
- Ideal for textured applications and impasto
- Tacky in about 30 minutes (1:1 mix)
- May wrinkle in thick applications
- Available in 50 ml & 110 ml tubes
DUO Quick Drying Medium, Matte Paste
Similar to Gloss Paste but with a matte finish.
- Fast drying with a velvety surface
- Matte effect varies by pigment
- Best in thin layers to avoid wrinkling
- Available in 50 ml & 100 ml tubes
