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I am so fortunate to have a Danish manufacturer of artist grade oil paint, Artifex, close to where I live.
I have bought the paints many times before in art supply shops, but I never could get any specific information about the quality, other than "it is good". I thought so too.
Right before Christmas I heard that the factury has a shop and that it was a little cheeper to buy directly from the manufacturer, so I went to pay them a visit.
I talked to the owners, two elderly and very enthusiastic gentlemen who gladly told about the paints.
They told me that they exclusivly use the best linseed oil for grounding and only pure pigments, no additives of any kind.
No additives, wax and such, coarses that the paint feels slightly different depending upon the nature of the diffent pigments.
They also said that all pigments are bought from the same few manufacteres around the world, so if it is pure pigments that are used, then it is basically the same paint, no matter what name is on the tube.
Some of their paints also have excessive oil coming out of the tube. I have noticed that Ultramarine and Titanium often does.
I asked about light fastness and they showed me a huge catalog where all known pigments were graded so they could pick only the best.
This was an assuring experience and I have no doubt that I get value for my money over there, and do you know why? I don't pay much for the marketing !!!!
They didn't even have a sign outside the building, I had to ask if this was the right place!!!
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