Gamblin oil paints — quality materials and a toxin-free studio
Gamblin — artisan oil paints from Portland
Gamblin Artist's Colors is an American company founded by Robert Gamblin in Portland, Oregon. From the beginning, the aim has been clear: to produce the best possible oil paints while protecting the health of the artist and the environment.
Gamblin is one of the few companies that place as much emphasis on studio safety as on the quality of the paints themselves. Their motto says it all: "Create without compromise."
Gamblin product lines
🎨 Gamblin Artist's Oil Colors — Professional
The Professional range includes 96 colours, all made from pure pigments and vegetable oils. No synthetic colours or synthetic fillers. The colours are:
- Mixed and milled in Portland, Oregon
- Excellent pigment load
- Available in 37 ml and 150 ml tubes
- Most colours are inherently non-toxic
🎓 Gamblin 1980 Oil Colors — Students
The 1980 line is the student/value range that uses the same pigments and the same manufacturing method as the professional line. The difference? Marble dust (calcium carbonate) is added as a filler to lower the price.
Why 1980?
- 48 colours at a great price
- No gel additives or wax — pure formulas
- Thick, buttery texture — excellent for impasto
- Mixes perfectly with the professional range
- Ideal for students and large projects
🧪 Mediums and binders
Gamblin makes a wide range of mediums that allow artists to control the properties of their paints:
| Medium | Description | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Galkyd | Fast-drying medium — increases gloss and transparency | Glazing, layered painting |
| Galkyd Lite | Softer version — holds brushstrokes better | Alla prima |
| Neo Megilp | Gel medium — gives a thick, glossy finish | Impasto, texture |
| Solvent-Free Gel | 100% non-toxic — safflower oil and alkyd | Plein air, direct painting |
| Solvent-Free Fluid | Improved flow without solvents | Thinning, flow |
| Cold Wax Medium | Beeswax — thickens the paint and gives a matte finish | Encaustic style, texture |
🛡️ Gamsol — the safest solvent
Gamsol is an odourless mineral spirit that Gamblin has specially refined to remove harmful aromatic solvents. It is:
- Non-toxic in normal use
- Slow evaporating — less in the air
- High flash point — safer to store
- Does not break down like turpentine
✨ Gamvar — varnish developed with the National Gallery of Art
Gamvar is a durable yet removable varnish developed by Gamblin in collaboration with the National Gallery of Art in Washington. Available in:
- Gloss — full shine and depth
- Satin — saturation with lower gloss
- Matte — soft, matt finish
🏗️ Grounds and auxiliaries
- Oil Painting Ground — alkyd ground, bright white, gives excellent tooth
- PVA Size — neutral pH protective layer for canvas
- Torrit Grey and Reclaimed Earth — sustainable colours made from recycled pigments
🏡 How to create a non-toxic studio
Many artists avoid oil painting because of concerns about solvents and fumes. But it doesn't have to be that way! With the right materials, you can paint in a completely safe and healthy environment.
Step 1: Choose non-toxic medium
Use Gamblin Solvent-Free Gel or Solvent-Free Fluid instead of traditional solvents. These mediums are made from safflower oil and soy-based alkyd — no petroleum-based ingredients.
💡 Rule: Maximum 25% medium
Never mix more than 25% solvent-free medium into the paint. More can cause wrinkling or very slow drying. Use thin layers.
Step 2: Clean brushes without solvents
Use safflower oil to clean brushes while you paint:
- Wipe excess paint from the brush with a cloth
- Dip the brush into safflower oil
- Wipe off with another cloth
- After the session: wash brushes with soap and water
⚠️ Caution: spontaneous combustion
Cloths soaked with oil can catch fire spontaneously! Store them in a closed metal container (oily rag safety can) or soak them in water before disposing of them.
Step 3: Ventilation
Even without solvents, it is a good idea to have normal ventilation — open a window when you paint. This is especially important if you use Gamsol or other solvents.
Step 4: Avoid "green" solutions
Gamblin warns against using cooking oils or "natural" solvents to thin paint or clean brushes. They leave behind sticky, non-drying residues that damage the painting.
Summary: Non-toxic oil painting
Gamblin oil paints are inherently non-toxic
Solvent-Free Gel/Fluid instead of solvents
Safflower oil + soap and water
Open a window — a healthy space
Gamblin at Föndurlist
Gamblin oil paints and mediums are available as a special order through Föndurlist via SLS Arts. We offer both the Professional range and the 1980 student line.
🛒 Browse Gamblin products 🌐 gamblincolors.com
Föndurlist is a proud distributor of Gamblin oil paints in Iceland. We focus on quality materials that are safe to use — because making art should not cost you your health.