At Cass Art, we had the unique opportunity to visit Michael Harding’s renowned paint factory, where Zeph from the Michael Harding team kindly took us through every step of the journey of a paint tube, from start to finish! We were taken through the meticulous process involved in making his artist-quality oil and watercolour paints. In this exclusive behind the scenes video, you'll discover the journey from raw materials to finished product, seeing firsthand how some of the finest paints in the world are created.
Michael loves colour, and after being disappointed with the quality of the oil paints he used as an art student, set out to create something which satisfied his needs. So in 1982, Michael Harding was born, as the brand of artists' oil paint we all know today. By formulating and creating his own paints, he has created something used by exceptional artists across the world, and his fans include Howard Hodgkin, David Hockney and Chris Ofili.
Based on his research of the Old Masters and consultation with contemporary artists, Michael Harding oil colours are matched by eye rather than machines, and each colour is wholly unique, varying slightly between batches. He also refuses to use fillers, extenders and driers.
The process of making paint is both complex and fascinating. In this video, we follow the journey of a single batch of paint, starting with the selection of the finest pigments sourced from around the world. The pigments are then carefully mixed with natural binders and oils to create the ideal consistency and texture. You’ll also get to see the expert handling and precision involved in packaging and labeling, ensuring that every tube of paint meets the high standards expected by artists.
The first step in creating Michael Hardings oil paint is choosing the pigment. Pigments are finely ground natural or synthetic powders that give the paint its color. They can come from a variety of sources such as minerals, plants, or even synthetic compounds. The quality of the pigment plays a major role in the paint’s vibrancy, durability, and lightfastness (resistance to fading over time).
Natural Pigments: These include earth pigments like ochre or ultramarine, which are derived from minerals.
Synthetic Pigments: These are chemically manufactured pigments that often provide brighter and more consistent colours.
Once the pigment is selected, it's finely ground into a powder. This grinding process is crucial because it affects how easily the pigment will mix with the binder (typically oil) and how well it will spread on a canvas.
The pigment-oil mixture is passed through a triple-roll mill, a machine with three heavy rollers that evenly distribute the pigment and refine the texture. The first roller pulls in the mixture, crushing any large particles. The second roller applies intense pressure to further grind and smooth the paint. Finally, the third roller ensures uniform dispersion, producing a rich, buttery consistency. The paint is then carefully scraped off and collected for the next stage.
Each batch undergoes rigorous testing to ensure professional-grade performance. This includes:
Colour Intensity Checks – Comparing new batches against previous ones to maintain colour consistency.
Viscosity Testing – Ensuring the paint flows and handles correctly.
Lightfastness Trials – Exposing samples to UV light to verify longevity and resistance to fading over time.
Drying Time Evaluation – Monitoring how the paint reacts under different conditions.
The next stage involves the precise and efficient tubing process. Once the paint achieves its desired consistency, it is transferred into tubes using specialised machinery. This automated process ensures that each tube is filled accurately, maintaining the integrity and quality of the paint. The machinery carefully measures and dispenses the exact amount of paint into each tube, which is then sealed to preserve its freshness and prevent contamination.
One of the most unique aspects of Michael Harding oil paints is that each label swatch is hand-painted. This means that rather than relying on printed colour representations, artists receive an accurate, real-life sample of the paint inside the tube. This painstaking process ensures that what you see on the label is a true reflection of the paint’s tone, opacity, and finish. The swatches are carefully brushed onto every label, allowing artists to make informed choices when selecting colours for their work. This commitment to authenticity is just another reason why Michael Harding paints are held in such high regard by artists around the world.
Each tube undergoes a meticulous labelling process to ensure accuracy and professionalism. Labels are carefully applied by hand, detailing the pigment composition, batch number, and essential product information. This step is crucial in maintaining Michael Harding’s commitment to transparency and quality. The labelled tubes are then inspected for any imperfections before being packaged. The final products are securely packed in boxes, ready to be shipped to artists around the world.
Our visit to Michael Harding's paint factory provided such an insightful look into the meticulous processes involved in creating their artists oil paints. From the careful selection of pigments to the precision of the milling and tubing process, every step is executed with a commitment to excellence.
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