Product Article - The History & Manufacture of Artists' Water Colour
History Of Winsor & Newton
William Winsor and Henry Newton were two boyhood friends who both painted and were both interested in science.
In the 1820’s any artists’ colourmen in existence still relied upon many ancient pigments, limited in their characteristics, often unstable and lacking in permanence.
During this period Great Britain was in the midst of the Industrial Revolution and William and Henry watched the changes in their world with great interest. The two friends quickly decided this revolution should stretch to artists’ materials and they embarked on the marriage of science and art to achieve revolutionary changes.
Winsor and Newton were determined to bring a wider choice of colours to artists combined with a greater degree of permanence. In their late twenties, they set up their business in Henry’s home – 38 Rathbone Place, the year was 1832.
To launch their endeavour William and Henry invented ‘moist’ water colour, the first easily used colour straight from the pan – the invention was to quickly bring them international recognition which remains to this day.
History Of Water Colour
The first use of Gum Arabic was in pre-historic times when early man was quick to recognise the possible uses of natural materials around him. Definite records show the Egyptian use of Gum Arabic as a binder and the combination of pigment and binder by the artist in situ continued until the 18th century.
In 1766 William Reeves used honey to produce water colour cakes which could be rubbed on a slat to release the colour. This allowed professional artists to spend more time painting and less time making their colour. With the invention of moist water colour in 1834 by Winsor & Newton, the ease of use improved further and made way for amateurs to enjoy the art of water colour painting too.
History Of Artists’ Water Colour
William Winsor was the more scientific within the company partnership whilst Henry Newton was the more artistically accomplished. This combination of chemist and artist served the pair admirably in the development of their business and remains one of the characteristics of Winsor & Newton today.
William and Henry formulated ‘moist’ water colour by the use of glycerine with Gum Arabic and pigment. This produced small ‘pans’ of colour, supplied in porcelain cups which could be held in a box and used directly, simply by the application of a wet brush. This facilitated an enormous increase in water colour painting. Painting outdoors became quick and easy for professionals whilst small boxes of colours could be used in the drawing rooms of wealthy families keen to educate their daughters.
In addition to this great invention, William Winsor quickly embarked on the improvement of artists’ pigments – starting with the invention of Chinese White in 1834 – the first permanent white for use in water colour.
The secret use of glycerine and the introduction of new pigments bought Winsor & Newton to the immediate attention of artists and this was further developed by the introduction of water colour in tubes in 1842. As the only colourmen with moist water colour formulations, 38 Rathbone Place was the place for artists to go – and they came by the carriage! A Royal Warrant from Queen Victoria herself was ordered in 1841 and exports were established to all corners of the world by the 1860’s.
Production Process Of Artists’ Water Colour
There are six main processes involved in the production of Winsor & Newton Artists’ Water Colour pans.
Purchase Of Raw Materials – hundreds of raw materials are purchased and tested at the factory to make our 91 colours. At this stage the testing is only to check on the quality received. Research & Development will have already spent years choosing the right material in the first place.
Manufacture Of Binders – our ‘preps’ area manufacture a number of binders for use in the formulations. Each pan formulation is individual, separate to tube formulations and established by our expert chemists to compliment each particular pigment’s characteristics.
Mixing – pigment, binder, wetting agent and preservative are mixed together.
Milling – the mixed batch is dispersed by milling. The speed, pressure and length of time are specified by the chemist as part of the formulation.
Extrusion – pan colour is dried, extruded and cut into pan or half pan sizes. Only the perfectly extruded pans are cut and glazed for sale.
Filling and Wrapping – finished colour which has passed all its quality checks is filled into pans, named, date coded and wrapped.
Every process, every material, every formulation, every test – in fact absolutely every part of producing Winsor & Newton Artists’ Water Colour involves nothing but the best – as it has always been.
Quality
Artists’ Water Colour has continually been developed since its inception in 1832 in keeping with the two ideals of our founders; to offer the widest choice of pigments to the artist and to supply colours with the greatest permanence.
The quality of the range is unsurpassed and is ensured by the following:
Raw Materials Testing – Winsor & Newton test more raw materials than any other manufacturer – often setting the standard for the rest of the industry. We reject up to 25% of incoming raw materials for not meeting our standards.
Chemist Experience – with a range which has thousands of different applications by millions of artists worldwide, expert experienced chemists are required. Just as well then that our three most senior technical employees have 100 years experience between them!
Manufacturing Expertise – devising the right machinery and using it correctly is essential to a quality product. The best ingredients must be combined by the best methods.
Quality Control For Manufacture – every batch of colour must be tested for colour, consistency, flow, dispersion and density to name but a few tests before the batch can be passed for extrusion. Up to 10% of batches are rejected.
Understanding The Uses Of Artists’ Water Colour – by employing artists within both the technical and commercial areas of Winsor & Newton, a full understanding of the qualities of the range are maintained. We help thousands of artists every year with technical advice and instructions which help them to achieve success with their work.
Winsor & Newton Artists’ Water Colour enjoys in the 21st century the premier position is started with in 1832! This position is maintained by producing the widest range of colours using the largest number of pigments. Combined with our expertise the result is colours of the greatest brilliance and transparency. In addition the colours have the highest pigment strength and stability compatible with the broadest handling properties and offer the greatest degree of permanence in the industry.
Ninety eight percent of the range is AA or A rated for permanence and the choice across the spectrum surpasses the dreams of painters even just a few years ago.
Some Famous Users Of Winsor & Newton Artists’ Water Colour
Henry Newton – the first water colour painted with moist water colour.
J. M. W. Turner [1775-1851] John Constable [1776-1837]
Friend of William Winsor
Samuel Palmer [1805-1881] Dante Gabriel Rossetti [1828-82]
Founder of ‘The Ancients’ co-founder of the Pre-Raphaelite
Brotherhood
Charles Rennie Mackintosh H.R.H. Prince Charles
Architect and designer whose fame
reached massive proportions in 1990’s
James Abbott McNeill Whistler [1834-1903]
John Singer Sargent [1856-1925] ]
Americans
Winslow Homer [1836-1910]
Georgia O’Keefe [1887 - 1986]