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Ken Bromley oil paints
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Message
Posted
Does anyone have any experience of these paints? I've signed up with Ken Bromley and a couple of other art suppliers' websites, because no one supplier seems to have absolutely everything, and they look interesting - but a word of advice from anyone who has used them would be even more interesting. I liked their watercolours; I also like one of the Jacksons oil paint ranges, especially their pure Titanium White with no added Zinc.
I'd use Michael Harding's oils all the time if I could afford to, but what with being, cue violins, a poor pensioner I have to watch the outlay a bit.
Posted
<div>For around 6 months or so I have started to use Michael Harding oils simply because they are the best on the market and are an absolute delight to paint with. Prior to that I have generally used the artists' range of W&N plus Ken Bromley artists' oil colour range and with regards to the KB oils I have found them most satisfactory. They mix well and have good colour properties and consistency, I can't fault them in any way so do give them a try, as you know they come in 60ml tubes and at a very reasonable price, the service from KB is also second to none.
I personally prefer to paint in oils although I can switch to any media and indeed I do, so the cost of the MH paints is for me a worthwhile purchase but I also agree that the prices of some of the Cadmium colours for instance is ridiculous and I don't buy these, I use KB.
I suppose that I've churned out some 300 or so oil paintings in the last two years, most of them using the KB range and without incurring any problems so a big thumbs up from me.
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Edited
by alanbickley
Posted
Interesting Alan. I've never tried KB but have used W&N Artist oils and Gamblin oils with an occasional Sennelier and a sole Michael Harding (Cobalt Violet Light) which is excellent, and have not had any problem. What you say about Michael Harding interests me as there is a demonstration in our area tomorrow by a lady who is a 'Michael Harding Ambassador' and I intend to get along to watch her paint and learn a bit more about MH oils.
Sorry I cannot help with KB issue Robert but will be interested to learn how you get on.
Posted
Very helpful Alan, thank you.
I agree with you of course on Michael Harding's colours, and am expecting Stub to be impressed. I think I've mentioned this before, but I got my hands on a tube of MH's Cobalt Blue a while ago - I've never found a better one and doubt I ever will: I've had to avoid Cobalt and Cerulean Blue, even Daler Rowney's Coeruleum (and they were the first to introduce it!) because although neither was ever well-known for covering power, they seemed so very pale and weak that it was a struggle to do anything with them (not bad for fresh greens with Lemon Yellow, but otherwise unexciting). The Harding version was simply in another league - it was as if I'd never used Cobalt Blue before.
His Ultramarine and Scarlet Lake - two commonly available and relatively inexpensive colours across the ranges - also have immense covering power: so much more powerful than other brands because they're not padded out with excessive fillers.
Now and then, though, I need what I call workman's colours - paints I can rely on, and which provide the setting for the judicious use of the top quality materials. There are several reliable brands, but I just wanted one or two that would be good, not just adequate: and if Alan's been using KB paints, that's easily good enough for me!
Posted
I went to the demo by Vicki Norman of Michael Harding paints and was, as Robert anticipated, very impressed on both fronts. I was impressed by Vicki as a very talented painter of colour and light and as an articulate knowledgeable presenter, if anyone gets the opportunity to attend a demo by her I can thoroughly recommend it. As for the Michael Harding paints I thought they looked good and managed to get a couple of free samples to try, which I will be doing asap with a view to adding some more MH to my palette when the time for renewals comes round.
Posted
See if you can get hold of some MH Cobalt Blue, Stub (I nearly called you Stud there: could have created QUITE the wrong impression...; I think we'll stick to Peter in future).... Anyway, Cobalt Blue - it really is a revelation. I'd love to try the Cerulean, too - it's a hefty price, and as I use very little cerulean probably not worth it: but - you can't be counting the pennies ALL the time.
Incidentally, I placed an order with Ken Bromley for some sponges for my acrylic stay-wet palette: arrived in 2 days, here on the Isle of Wight where we're quite used to excuses about our post being delayed - true, this doesn't tell us anything about KB's paint - happily we have Alan B for that - but it does tell us a lot about their excellent customer service. (E & OE: I don't have shares in the company: other suppliers are available.)