For artists who appreciate the history and tradition of oil painting, Kusakabe Oil Colour offers a unique connection between traditional materials and contemporary painting.
Made in Japan, Kusakabe has a long history of producing artists’ materials. Its oil colour range brings together historic pigments, carefully developed hues, and modern colour innovations—giving today’s artists the opportunity to explore traditional oil painting while enjoying the versatility of a contemporary palette.
Among its most distinctive colours are True Vermilion and Silver White, two colours with deep roots in the history of painting.
One of the remarkable features of the Kusakabe Oil Colour range is its Vermilion.
Unlike a Vermilion Hue, which is formulated to imitate the appearance of the traditional colour using alternative pigments, Kusakabe offers true Vermilion pigment (PR106).
For artists interested in traditional painting materials, this distinction is significant. Working with an authentic historic pigment allows painters to experience characteristics that may differ from modern colour substitutes.
Kusakabe Vermilion brings this historic red into the modern artist’s studio, preserving its place in the traditional oil painter’s palette.
Another distinctive colour in the Kusakabe range is Silver White, traditionally known as lead white.
Kusakabe Silver White uses PW1, lead white, a pigment with a long history in oil painting. Before modern whites such as titanium white became widely available, lead white was one of the essential whites used by painters.
Its historical significance is matched by its distinctive working properties. Traditional lead white behaves differently from modern white pigments, making it particularly interesting for artists exploring classical oil painting techniques and traditional materials.
Important: Silver White contains lead. Artists should handle lead-containing artists’ materials responsibly and follow appropriate safety precautions.
Kusakabe Oil Colour is not simply about preserving the past. The brand continues to evolve its palette for today’s artists.
The range now includes 160 standard colours, providing artists with a broad selection for portraiture, landscapes, still life, contemporary painting, and other oil painting techniques.
Beyond its standard palette, Kusakabe also offers metallic and polarized colours. These special colours introduce reflective, shifting, and futuristic effects that can expand the possibilities of traditional oil painting.
Kusakabe also continues to develop thoughtfully formulated hues and special colour combinations designed to give artists more ready-to-use colours while making colour mixing easier and more intuitive.
The result is a palette that respects the heritage of oil painting while continuing to respond to the needs of modern artists.
Kusakabe Oil Colour is an excellent choice for artists who want to explore both traditional and contemporary approaches to oil painting.
Key features include:
Whether you are studying classical painting techniques, building a professional palette, or experimenting with contemporary effects, Kusakabe provides a wide range of possibilities.
The history of oil painting is closely connected to its materials. Pigments, binders, colour characteristics, and working properties have all influenced how artists have painted throughout the centuries.
Kusakabe keeps that tradition alive while continuing to look toward the future.
From True Vermilion and traditional Silver White to metallic, polarized, and specially developed colours, Kusakabe Oil Colour gives modern artists access to a palette where historical pigments and contemporary colour innovation meet.
Kusakabe Oil Colour — Japanese craftsmanship, historic pigments, and an evolving palette for the modern artist.
