Daniel Smith Oil Paints are made from a range of vibrant, finely-gound pigments and a high-grade alkali-refined linseed oil selected for its uniformity, its low acidity and its non-yellowing qualities. The outcome of this formula is a range of 90 colours, all of which share a uniform and buttery texture. The range is notable for its high proportion of single-pigment colours (61 in total). This makes for strong, vibrant and predictable colour-mixing.

Of the 90 colours in this range, 81 have a Lightfastness rating of I (colour stable for 100+ years). Seven colours (Hansa Yellow Light, Permanent Red, Hooker’s Green, Permanent Green, Permanent Green Light, Olive Green, Green Gold) have a Lightfastness rating II (colour stable for 100 years) and two colours (Alizarin Crimson, Moonglow) have a Lightfastness rating III (colour stable for 50 years; the range includes a replacement, Permanent Alizarin Crimson, which has excellent lightfastness).

Some of Daniel Smith's Traditional Oil paints are also made of specialised pigments:

PrimaTek Oils

The following oils use pigments ground from genuine semi-precious stones sourced from across the globe:

Lapis Lazuli Genuine
Malachite Genuine
Sleeping Beauty Turquoise
Amazonite
Rhodonite
Sedona
Minnesota Pipestone
Burnt Tiger’s Eye
Tiger’s Eye
Hematite

Luminescents

These paints react to light to cause various shimmering effects. All of these paints can be mixed with any other Daniel Smith paint.

The following paints shimmer in light:

Iridescent Electric Blue
Iridescent Gold
Iridescent Copper
Metallic Richgold
Metallic Silver
Pearlescent White
Pearlescent Shimmer
Pearlescent Black

The following paints shift between two metallic shades depending on the angle you look at them:

Duochrome Saguaro Green - shifts between a Golden Metallic Olive Green and a Metallic Yellow Ochre.
Duochrome Aquamarine - shifts between a Metallic Emerald Green and a Metallic Blue.