Anyone who has ever worked with highly pigmented paints knows the difference: they glow more intensely, handle better under the brush and impress with an incomparable depth of color. So why are there such price differences between artist paints? Why do some products cost many times more than others? The answer lies in the raw materials, the manufacturing process and the deliberate decision to do without cost-saving additives that compromise quality. In this article you’ll learn why we at Aquarylic consistently rely on the finest artist quality and what that means for your artistic work.
quality grades compared
Not every artist paint meets the same standards – the differences in quality are enormous. Broadly speaking, there are three main categories:
- Studio quality: These paints often contain large amounts of binders and fillers to keep production costs down. The pigment content is usually low, which makes the colors look less brilliant and often dull in mixtures.
- Fine artist quality: A higher pigment content ensures better color brilliance, but here too inexpensive fillers are often added, which affect the actual color intensity.
- Finest artist quality: At this highest quality level, purity and pigment density come first. The paints go a very long way, glow more intensely and keep their color effect for decades.
Many manufacturers rely on white pigments and fillers to produce paints more cheaply. These additives create an apparent opacity, but they alter the depth of color and reduce luminosity. Aquarylic deliberately avoids these methods. We focus on the highest pigment purity and a formulation that keeps the color behavior as natural as possible – without compromising on quality.
perfection down to the last detail – how we process our pigments
Unlocking the full potential of a pigment takes more than just high-quality raw materials. Our pigments go through elaborate milling processes to ensure optimal fineness and maximum color brilliance.
26 pure single-pigment shades – maximum brilliance and mixability
As a manufacturer of paints in the finest artist quality, we aim for maximum purity in our colors. Our color range includes 26 highly pigmented single-pigment shades, formulated without unnecessary additives or added white. This means that every shade consists of one single pigment only, which ensures incomparable luminosity, purity and mixability.
Single-pigment shades are especially important for artists who want to mix precise colors without unexpected cloudiness or impurities in their nuances. Paints made from several pigments can turn into unwanted gray or dull tones when mixed. Our single-pigment paints, on the other hand, give a clear, predictable color effect, so you can achieve perfect mixes.
On top of that, our single-pigment shades offer the highest lightfastness, so your works won’t fade even after decades. Artists who want their work to last benefit especially from the high quality of our pigments.
pricing – fairly calculated
At first glance, our paints may seem more expensive than others. But if you compare the finest artist quality with other products in the same quality class, it becomes clear: our paints are priced in the lower middle range – and offer exceptional value for money. Thanks to the high pigment density, you also need significantly less paint than with cheaper alternatives. If you value quality, you’ll end up saving not only money but also a lot of frustration.
experience the difference for yourself
Try Aquarylic now and experience what true artist quality means.
which color medium for which application?
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|---|---|---|---|
| Opacity | transparent to semi-transparent Pearlescent line: opaque |
transparent to opaque | opaque |
| Finish | softly glossy | satin matte | matte |
| Viscosity | smooth and fluid leaves no brush strokes |
creamy brushes out easily |
slightly higher viscosity than Acrylic Paint brushes out easily |
| Thinning with water | barely loses color intensity flows like watercolor no flocculation |
can be heavily diluted thanks to its high pigmentation | powdery or cloudy effect when heavily diluted |
| Combines with these color media | watercolor, gouache, acrylic and traditional oil paint | watercolor, gouache and acrylic paint | watercolor, gouache and acrylic paint |
| Recommended painting ground | canvas, paper, metal, wood, glass, plastic, ... | canvas, paper, metal, wood, glass, plastic, ... | canvas, paper, wood (furniture), metal, glass, plastic, ... |
| Luminosity | very high luminosity | high luminosity | moderate luminosity due to the matte finish |
| Base and drying properties | water-based and solvent-free dries waterproof |
water-based and solvent-free dries waterproof |
water-based and solvent-free dries waterproof |
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More information on Aquarylic Color SHOP NOW |
More information on Acrylic Paint SHOP NOW |
More information on Chalk Paint SHOP NOW |
still have questions?
We answer specific questions about our products on our Questions & Answers page. Take a look – you’ll find all the important information there.