Why Aussie Artists Love Art Spectrum Artists’ Oil Colour

If you’ve ever stood in front of a gum tree, brush in hand, squinting at the hundreds of greens it’s throwing at you, wondering how the hell do I mix that? — then mate,

Art Spectrum is about to become your new best mate. Made right here in Australia,

Art Spectrum Artists’ Oil Colour is trusted by generations of artists to deliver vibrant, long-lasting results that make our unique wildlife and landscapes sing on canvas.

Whether you’re just starting out or you’re a seasoned painter with a studio full of supplies and a suspiciously high turps bill, this blog’s got the info you need on why these oils are so loved — and why they’re ideal for painting our wild, sunburnt country.

Made in Australia, For Australian Artists

Art Spectrum was born in Melbourne in 1966 and has been mixing up magic ever since. It’s one of the few remaining professional-grade paint manufacturers in the country, and they’re fiercely proud of their Aussie roots. Every tube of Artists’ Oil Colour is blended and produced in Australia, using traditional techniques backed by modern innovation.

The result? Paint that’s not just high quality — it feels made for us. For the colours we see every day. For the dusty tracks, eucalyptus forests, coastal cliffs, and native wildlife that fill our reference photos and our sketchbooks.

Quality Oils Without the Hefty Price Tag

Let’s talk guts: Art Spectrum Artists’ Oil Colour isn’t just "pretty good for the price" — it’s professional-quality paint that holds its own against the big-name brands, without rinsing your wallet. Each colour is packed with pure, artist-quality pigment and bound with refined linseed oil for a creamy, buttery consistency that spreads like a dream. Whether you're into thick brush strokes or glazes so thin they could ghost a ghost, it handles both like a pro.

The range is also known for its excellent lightfastness, so your work won’t fade faster than an Aussie tan in winter. Once dry, it forms a durable film that resists yellowing and cracking — even when your artwork’s been sunbathing in a well-lit studio.

Click View Colour Chart

No One Does Aussie Greens Like Art Spectrum

This is where Art Spectrum really earns its stripes. Their Artists’ Oil Colour range includes hues you’ll struggle to find anywhere else — especially those inspired by the Australian environment. From the smoky olive of eucalyptus leaves to ochres that mirror red desert earth, this range is a colour match made in heaven for landscape painters and wildlife artists alike.

If you’re painting lorikeets, kookaburras, magpies, or kangaroos — or capturing the vibe of the bush, the outback, or the coast — these oils give you the tools to do it justice. No more battling muddy greens or mixing your life away just to get that perfect gum leaf tone.

But don’t stress if Aussie nature’s not your thing — these oils work beautifully across all painting styles, from portraits to abstracts, florals to fantasy.

Pigment Power & Performance

Let’s get a little nerdy, shall we?

Art Spectrum Artists’ Oils are formulated with a high pigment load for brilliant colour payoff. Each tube is clearly labelled with its lightfastness rating (using ASTM standards), so you can trust the longevity of your work — especially important if you’re selling or exhibiting.

Drying time is moderate: not as slow as some traditional oils, but not a sprint to the finish either. This gives you flexibility for wet-on-wet blending or more layered approaches. Whether you like your paint thick and textural or thinned with mediums for smoother flows, this range adapts beautifully to your technique.

And yep, it plays nice with other professional oil mediums, so feel free to add drying agents, solvents, or impasto mediums without a fuss.

What the Artists Say

"I love using Art Spectrum oils because the colours just get Aussie landscapes — no muddy mixes, just vibrant earth tones."
– Local artist and gumtree enthusiast

The feedback we hear time and time again? Artists trust Art Spectrum to deliver reliable results, beautiful hues, and a truly Aussie feel. These paints have earned their place in thousands of studios — and not just because they’re made down the road.

Ready to Paint the Aussie Way?

Whether you’re painting a sleepy echidna, the curve of a gumtree, or that dramatic golden hour light over the Great Ocean Road, Art Spectrum’s Artists’ Oil Colours give you the control and the colour to bring it to life.

And even though they’re perfect for Aussie landscapes, their versatility makes them just as brilliant for portraits, still life, abstract, or fantasy work. The possibilities are endless.

Don’t forget to check out Art Spectrum’s Instagram for behind-the-scenes factory snaps, stunning artwork, handy painting tips, and inspo for colour combos you’ll want to try straight away.

ART SPECTRUM INSTA