This treasured jewel of the Riviera region of France is practically unknown to artists here in the USA, however, Charvin has been highly regarded since its European introduction in 1830.
These lines are produced to provide artists with colors that can be used right out of the tube allowing the artist to concentrate on their painting and creative process. Of course these highly concentrated colors may be blended to an almost limitless array of shades as needed by the artist.
Charvin Oils use some of the oldest recipes in the field, which were used to make oil colors for artists such as Cezanne, Bonnard and Ambrogiani. They are made without compromise, selecting only the finest pigments no matter how rare and expensive it may be. The colors are made from finely ground pigments milled in a Swiss-made Buhler tricylinder that is the same used to make the most expensive cosmetics in the world. This creates a luxurious color like no other.
High quality pigments are combined to form a natural progression of colors that an artist would need to produce their art. Less time spent fussing with color means more time spent in the creative process, and unlike mixing on your own, the colors of Charvin are always absolutely consistent, super clean and very beautiful.
The main binder of Charvin oil colors is poppy seed oil. It, as compared to linseed oil, gives oil colors a unique character and creaminess. Poppy oil is of course more expensive than traditional linseed, but unlike linseed will not yellow over time. Another obvious advantage is how clean and bright colors look as compared to colors formulated with just linseed oil. Some linseed is used to insure that the finished painting has a strong film but only to the degree required by the pigment and never more.
The color makers at Charvin expertly and slowly produce the oil color much in the same way that wine makers insure that the product will have a true character and lovely finish. It is this dedication to detail and the hands-on approach by the owners that makes these oil colors one of the world's great art supplies treasures. Both the Extra Fine Oil Colors and The Fine Oils have huge ranges that allow them to be used for traditional techniques, modern expressions and most importantly for Plein Air painting for duplicating the brilliance and color of the world around you. No other line presently on the market has a range of colors as unique with a brilliance, freshness and creamy texture to match Charvin Oil Colors.
