Paint Company Color Lists
I have a pretty good collection of paints and while I've not tried everything, I've tried a lot. The ones I list below are the paint companies I've used and like the most. This is just a list and not my favorite to least favorite.
The Dutch company of Royal Talens makes 3 brands of Oil Paint: Rembrandt, Van Gogh, and Cobra Water Soluble Oil Paints. I've used all with great success and have written 3 blog posts on Cobra Water Soluble Oil Paints which I use primarily when I travel.
Water and Oil DO Mix; Cobra Oil Paints: The First Tests; Follow Up on Drying Time of Cobra Water Soluble Oil Paints
Cobra Water Soluble Oil Paint Chart
Van Gogh Water Color Paint Chart
M. Graham is a small company based in Oregon. They use Walnut Oil as the base in their oil colors because, "We chose to build our oil paint with this oil because its unique refractive index and non-yellowing nature produces color that is more naturally alive and brilliant. In addition walnut oil allows us to increase the amount of pigment in each color, resulting in extraordinary richness, color saturation, brilliance and tinting strength. - See more at: http://mgraham.com/products/artists-oil-color/#sth..."
They also use Walnut Oil to clean brushes because they believe a solvent free environment is a healthier environment. I've used their oil paints as well and love them for their rich color and creaminess. They focus on creating single pigment colors.
In their Water Colors they use honey. "As an essential ingredient in our binding medium, honey contributes to moistness for smooth, easily controlled applications, increased pigment concentrations and freedom from over reliance on preservatives. Because of the honey medium, our color resists hardening on the palette, or in the tube. It dilutes easily, often after months of disuse. See more at: http://mgraham.com/products/watercolors/#sthash.8y...
M. Graham's Acrylic contain...."60% solids (instead of the usual 45% found in artists color), our acrylic emulsion allows us to increase pigment loads and eliminate artificial thickeners. The result is increased pigment loads for more intense color and enhanced working properties with the flow and delicacy normally found only in fine gouaches. - See more at: http://mgraham.com/products/acrylics/#sthash.rNxlI...
M. Graham Oil Paint Chart & Information
M. Graham Water Color Chart & Information
Gamblin is another wonderful Oregon company that makes gorgeous paints and solvent free mediums. When I was in Scotland I visited an art restorer and she told me that the best raw pigments for her use came from Gamblin. Gamblin also is very concerned about waste and the environment. To help eliminate waste each year they collect all the pigment dust and make a "Torrit Grey" that they distribute each spring for free. No year is the same so I have a collection of tubes that range from a medium to dark grey and also from green to bluish. Whenever I get a tube I write the year on it so I can see the differences through time. These are extremely dense in opacity.
Because their range of materials is rather large but also specialized it's best to go directly to their website for information.
Windsor & Newton is one of the best known art suppliers. Originally based in England, I've heard they moved to France. Their website has A LOT of information. They make everything from oil paints to markers!