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Michael Harding began making oil colours in 1982, his desire to reproduce the intensity of colour that artists would have worked with prior to the start of mass production in the 1840s. Since then, he has built up a range of 69 colours, some contemporary and some historical, based on research into the Old Masters and consultation with current artists. Handmade and matched by eye rather than machine, they are wholly unique, varying to the smallest degree between batches, and David Hockney, Howard Hodgkin, Chris Ofili and many more have waxed lyrical about their virtues. He uses only the finest of the finest pigments, including genuine Afghan lapis lazuli and real Chinese Vermilion, grinds in refined cold-pressed linseed oil (or occasionally safflower oil) to ensure the highest degree of permanence. He also refuses to use fillers, extenders and driers. Michael Harding Oil Paints bring you the rich history of this highest of art forms in a tube, proof positive of the central importance of materials. Responding to demand, he recently began to make a range of special mediums and varnishes to complement his colours.
Michael Harding's Oleo Impasto Medium (PM7) is a gel made from fumed silica and linseed oil which imparts great luminosity, particularly with transparent colours. You can add it with a brush or knife to achieve extra body.
It has an average drying speed and increases the transparency of oil colours. Pigment can be added and ground to make your own oil paints.
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When mixed with oil paint, linseed oil will increase the gloss and transparency of the paint, and will thin the paint so that it flows more easily and does not hold brushmarks. It will also slow the drying time of the paint. Linseed oil is also highly suitable for use with dry ground pigments.
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The use of walnut oil in paint can be traced back even further than that of linseed. When 15th century artists began to add oil to their tempera colours it was walnut oil that seemed the obvious choice. Jan van Eyck in Flanders and Antonello da Messina in Italy both knew of its handling properties; from that time on it was widely used by just about all the great artists, being more a question o...More info.
This set contains x10 40ml tubes of Michael Harding Paints:
Introductory Set
Series
Unbleached Titanium Dioxide
Warm White
Yellow Lake Deep
Yellow Ochre Deep
Venetian Red
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Introductory Set containing 6 colours in 40ml tubes
''Many people who are new to our products have requested that we suggest colours for them to try. We are happy to provide you with any of our Michael Harding Fine Oil Paint sets such as our Introductory Set. All our sets give artists the opportunity to try a selection of our luscious colours. Our sets also make for ideal gift giving!’’ -&n...More info.
The set contains the following all in 40ml tubes.
Introductory Set
Series
Warm White Series 1
Warm Light Yellow Series 2
Italian Green Umber Series 1
Cadmium Red Series 5
Alizarin Claret Series 3
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The Michael Harding Plein Air "Master" Set containing 10 colours in 40ml tubes.
This set is the perfect companion for the master plein air artist, but would also make an ideal gift.
Plein Air "Master" Set
Series
Titanium White No.2
1
Cadmium Yellow
4
Cadmium Yellow Deep
...More info.
The Michael Harding Plein Air "Painter" Set containing 10 colours in 40ml tubes.
An essential set from Michael Harding Artists Oil Colours for plein air painting. This set contains 10 of Michael Hardings most popular plein air colours, the tubes are 40ml too, making them ideal for those who enjoy painting outside, ''en plein air'’.
Plein Air "Painter" Set
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Click here for full details on Michael Harding Colours
Michael Harding's paints are made by hand, using techniques which date back to the days of the Old Masters. There is a very simple reason for this painstaking process. As an artist and painter he wanted to create colours that were true and vibrant, and paint which was beautiful and durable.
"The greater the pigment content of a pain...More info.
Click here for full details on Michael Harding Colours
Michael Harding's paints are made by hand, using techniques which date back to the days of the Old Masters. There is a very simple reason for this painstaking process. As an artist and painter he wanted to create colours that were true and vibrant, and paint which was beautiful and durable.
"The greater the pigment content of a pain...More info.
Click here for full details on Michael Harding Colours
Michael Harding's paints are made by hand, using techniques which date back to the days of the Old Masters. There is a very simple reason for this painstaking process. As an artist and painter he wanted to create colours that were true and vibrant, and paint which was beautiful and durable.
"The greater the pigment content of a pain...More info.
Click here for full details on Michael Harding Colours
Michael Harding's paints are made by hand, using techniques which date back to the days of the Old Masters. There is a very simple reason for this painstaking process. As an artist and painter he wanted to create colours that were true and vibrant, and paint which was beautiful and durable.
"The greater the pigment content of a pain...More info.
Click here for full details on Michael Harding Colours
Michael Harding's paints are made by hand, using techniques which date back to the days of the Old Masters. There is a very simple reason for this painstaking process. As an artist and painter he wanted to create colours that were true and vibrant, and paint which was beautiful and durable.
"The greater the pigment content of a pain...More info.
