Gamblin

Overview

Gamblin Artists Colors produces artist-grade oil paints, mediums, solvents, and varnishes primarily for oil painting and printmaking. The company focuses on materials that replicate historic working properties while incorporating safer, more permanent formulations. It holds B Corporation certification since September 2023 and operates a factory in Portland, Oregon, offering public tours.¹²³⁶

History

Gamblin Artists Colors was founded in 1980 in the United States by painters, with a focus on oil paints and related materials. The company developed specialty colors unique to its line and partnered with the National Gallery of Art to create Gamvar varnish. It introduced a student-grade line called 1980 Oil Colors for lower-price options and became a Certified B Corporation in September 2023.¹³⁷

Product Lines

Manufacturing

Products are manufactured in-house at the company's factory in Portland, Oregon, United States, at 2734 SE Raymond St and 323 SE Division Pl. The facility specializes in oil paints, mediums, and varnishes, with public tours available on select days.¹⁴⁶⁷

Notable Products

• Gamvar Varnish - Removable varnish developed with the National Gallery of Art, water-clear and mixable with cold wax for gloss control.
• Gamsol - Odorless mineral spirits solvent compatible with Gamblin oils and varnishes.
• 1980 Oil Colors - Student-grade oil colors offering lower-cost alternatives to artist-grade paints.
• Cold Wax Medium - Medium for creating matte surfaces and textural effects in oil paintings.
• Artist Oil Colors - Professional-grade oils including exclusive specialty pigments.

Reputation

Gamblin is regarded by artists for its expertise in oil painting materials, with praise for safer formulations, permanence, and unique specialty colors not available elsewhere. Professionals value partnerships like the one with the National Gallery and the in-house manufacturing focus. Some note the student line as a practical entry point, though it is positioned below artist-grade quality.³⁷