Art Prism Oil Paints: Studio Staples, Aussie Made

When you’re setting up your studio — whether it's a classroom corner or a backyard art bunker — you want paint that shows up without blowing your whole supply budget.

Art Prism Oil Paints are exactly that. Made right here in Australia by Art Spectrum, these are the paints I reach for when I want to block in ideas, explore colour combos, and build a painting from the ground up.

They’re vibrant, responsive, and let you play without pressure — and best of all, they’re backed by the same brand that makes some of Australia’s most respected artist-quality materials.

Art Prism might not have the prestige of their premium range, but don’t let that fool you — they’re a great tube of paint, and a studio essential for students, teachers, and working artists alike.

Proudly Australian Owned & Made

One of the best things about Art Prism is that it’s made right here on home soil.

Art Spectrum is proudly Australian-owned and operated, and has been making artist materials in Melbourne since 1966. They’re all about high-quality production, and that includes their studio lines.

Art Prism offers local artists a reliable and affordable oil paint without having to import studio ranges from overseas.

It supports Aussie manufacturing, keeps prices accessible, and gives you peace of mind that what you’re using is crafted with serious care.

What’s Inside the Tube: Pigment, Texture & Handling

Let’s talk paint nerd stuff — because what’s in the tube matters.

Art Prism paints are made with a well-balanced formula that uses quality pigments suspended in refined linseed oil. While they’re not as pigment-dense as artist-grade oils, they’re still richly coloured and seriously satisfying to use — especially when you’re painting every day or working through new ideas.

The smooth consistency makes them easy to blend and control, whether you're using brushes or a palette knife. And the core colour range has all the essentials: vibrant primaries, rich earth tones, and a trusty titanium white to tie it all together.

They’re also lightfast, meaning your work won’t fade into nothingness over time — something not all studio ranges can claim. Whether you’re building up underpaintings, doing tonal studies, or creating finished pieces, Art Prism holds its own.

Even though they're not as potent as top-tier artist oils, that’s kind of the point — they're ideal for everyday practice, experimentation, and confidence-building. The colour still sings, the application feels great, and you get to paint more, stress less.

Why I Recommend It (and Who It’s For)

If you’re:

• Just starting out in oils

• Teaching a class or running workshops

• Practicing techniques

• Sketching up colour studies

• Building underpaintings

• Painting big and bold without worrying about cost

• …then Art Prism should absolutely be in your kit. I’ve used them myself for planning out bigger works and for casual still life sessions where I just want to move paint around without overthinking it. They’re comfortable to use, dry predictably, and clean up well.

Hot Tips for Using Art Prism

• Pair with Art Spectrum mediums like Lean Medium or Oil Painting Medium to stretch and control flow

• Great with Odourless Solvent for safer studio practice

• Work best on primed canvas, canvas boards, or gessoed paper

• Layer them up! Start with Art Prism, then go in with higher pigment oils if you want to elevate certain areas

• Don’t forget to clean up with gentle brush soap or a low-tox solvent — your tools will thank you