Premium, buttery, lightfast acrylics with rich color, smooth handling, and pro-grade control.
You want paint that obeys your brush and keeps its promise on the wall years later. That is where a reliable, archival acrylic steps up. In this Lascaux Artist Acrylic review, I look at color strength, body, and finish on canvas, paper, and panel. I also check how it mixes, glazes, and layers with both Artist and Studio ranges. If you crave a smooth, rich laydown and confident lightfastness, this brand is worth a hard look. I tested popular colors and sizes so you can pick the right one and skip the guesswork.
Lascaux Artist Acrylic – Metallic…
Lascaux Artist Acrylic – Metallic Colors, Set of 3 Metallic Colors, Set of 3 45 ml (1.5 oz)
Lascaux Artist Acrylic: 45ml Cadmium…
Lascaux Artist Acrylics – Cadmium Green Medium, 45 ml tube 156 Cadmium Green Medium 45 ml WARNING: This product contains a chemical known to the State of California to cause…
Lascaux Artist Acrylics – Phthalo…
Lascaux Artist Acrylics – Phthalo Turquoise Blue, 390 ml Tube Phthalo Turquoise Blue 390 ml (13.2 oz)
Lascaux Metallic Acrylic Set (3 Colors)
This three-color metallic set is a fast way to add glow and dimension. The body is creamy and even. The shimmer reads elegant, not chunky. On canvas and wood, the film sets smooth and tough. Dry time is quick, yet there is enough open time to blend edges for soft fades.
Each metallic uses fine mica, so the luster looks rich in normal light and pops under raking light. I got the best sparkle on a smooth, sealed ground. Coverage is strong for a metallic, but two thin coats look cleaner than one heavy pass. In this Lascaux Artist Acrylic review, I saw very low bronzing and a steady, satin sheen across the trio.
Pros:
- Fine, even shimmer that does not look glittery
- Strong adhesion on primed canvas, panel, and paper
- Low odor, water-based, easy brush cleanup
- Mixes well with gels for raised accents
- Lightfast, mica-based tones resist UV fade
- Satin finish that photographs well
Cons:
- Higher price per ml than non-metallic colors
- May need two coats for full, even luster
- Subtle color shift as it dries (typical for metallics)
My Recommendation
This metallic trio is best if you add highlight bands, graphic accents, or decorative motifs. It shines in mixed media and mural details. The film stays flexible and resists hairline cracking on canvas. For this Lascaux Artist Acrylic review, the set gave me clean, classy metal notes without mess or tarnish.
| Best for | Why |
|---|---|
| Accent highlights and trim | Fine mica flake gives crisp shimmer without chunky fallout |
| Mixed media textures | Pairs with gels and pastes; holds peaks with a satin sheen |
| Design and lettering | Even laydown and clean edges; looks great on smooth grounds |
Who should buy it? Designers, muralists, and crafters who want metal pop with pro polish. If you often glaze or layer, you will like how these metallics sit with flats and tints. The value is in the finish: it looks refined in photos and in person.
Cadmium Green Medium, 45 ml (Artist Acrylic)
This 45 ml cadmium green medium hits hard with opacity and clean mid-green body color. It feels buttery and holds brush marks or knife ridges with ease. With white, it yields fresh spring tints. With burnt sienna, it makes organic olives and muted foliage mixes that stay rich, not muddy.
Cadmium-based mixes demand careful handling. Do not spray or sand dry paint. Avoid food-contact items. On the canvas, though, it is a dream: excellent coverage, fast set, and great scumble control. In this Lascaux Artist Acrylic review, I rated its lightfastness and covering power as top tier for landscape and design work.
Pros:
- High opacity for fast coverage on toned grounds
- Strong tinting power; a little goes a long way
- Buttery body for impasto, knife, and dry-brush work
- Excellent lightfastness for archival use
- Consistent hue batch to batch
- Balanced satin finish that does not chalk in mixes
Cons:
- Cadmium content: avoid airbrushing and practice safe handling
- Premium price for a small tube
- Less ideal for transparent glazing
My Recommendation
Pick this if you paint landscapes, botanicals, or designs that need opaque mid-greens with elegant tints. I found it blends with earths and cyans in a stable, clean way. The film is durable and colorfast, and it levels well. In my Lascaux Artist Acrylic review notes, this was my go-to base green on toned canvases.
| Best for | Why |
|---|---|
| Foliage and landscape blocks | Opaque coverage and natural tints with white or earths |
| Knife and impasto work | Buttery body holds ridges and texture |
| Graphic mid-greens | Clean, saturated hue that photographs true |
Who should buy it? Painters who need solid greens with pro handling, and who use safe cadmium practice. If you glaze more than you block in, consider pairing it with a transparent green or blue for depth. Value wise, it is about payoff per stroke, not ml price.
Phthalo Turquoise Blue, 390 ml (Artist)
This huge 390 ml tube is a workhorse for studios and schools. The phthalo turquoise is a deep, oceanic blue-green. It has high chroma and very high tint strength. Use small amounts in mixes. You get clean teals with white and moody shadows with alizarin or burnt umber.
The flow is smooth, so blends are easy. It glazes like a dream since it is naturally on the transparent side. On a white ground, one thin coat already glows. In this Lascaux Artist Acrylic review, this tube gave the best value per ml without any drop in body or pigment strength.
Pros:
- Massive 390 ml size for serious work and value
- High tinting strength; superb for mixes and glazes
- Buttery yet smooth flow for brush and soft knife
- Excellent lightfastness for long-term display
- Builds luminous layers with gloss or matte mediums
- Consistent satin finish across coats
Cons:
- Can overpower mixes; dose with care
- Stains brushes; rinse promptly to avoid residue
- Cool shift on drying if used very thin
My Recommendation
If you need one bold, flexible blue-green in a large size, this is it. It covers base coats, glazes, and accents. It also mixes varied sea tones and deep forest shadows. My Lascaux Artist Acrylic review found it ideal for murals, abstracts, and studios that go through paint fast.
| Best for | Why |
|---|---|
| Glazes and veils | Transparent body with strong chroma for luminous layers |
| Large surfaces and murals | 390 ml size offers real value per ml |
| Vibrant mixes | Mixes into teals, aquas, and deep shadows with ease |
Who should buy it? Painters who love rich, modern greens and blues, and who need volume without trade-offs. It pairs well with titanium white, quinacridones, and earths. If you need a studio staple, this is a smart anchor color.
Studio Acrylics Tint White, 85 ml
This Studio Tint White is a softer mixing white for clean tints. It is less opaque than titanium. That keeps color mixes fresh and airy. If you find titanium makes mixes chalky, this bottle feels like a relief. The body is smooth and plays nice with the Artist range.
The small 85 ml size is handy for travel kits or detail tables. It is great for gentle value shifts, portrait transitions, and skies. I used it to mute phthalo turquoise without killing the glow. In this Lascaux Artist Acrylic review, I saw no weird clumping or streaks. It thins with water or medium without breaking.
Pros:
- Low opacity for clean, luminous tints
- Smooth body that blends fast and even
- Ideal for portraits, skies, and subtle highlights
- Works well with Artist range without issues
- Good pick for students and traveling painters
Cons:
- Not a covering white; use titanium for opacity
- Lower pigment load than Artist colors
- 85 ml can run out fast in studio use
My Recommendation
Use Tint White when you want light, not weight. It is perfect for delicate tints and atmospheric shifts. It keeps mixes bright and avoids the chalk look. My Lascaux Artist Acrylic review notes: it is a simple way to gain control over value without dulling hue.
| Best for | Why |
|---|---|
| Portrait transitions | Softer shifts in value without chalky build-up |
| Skies and fog | Keeps blues luminous while lowering value |
| Subtle highlights | Glides on smooth and blends without hard edges |
Who should buy it? Artists who chase nuance, not coverage. If you teach, this bottle is a great demo of the difference between mixing white and titanium. Pair it with a strong blue or green to expand your tint range.
Sunshine Gold Metallic, 45 ml (Artist)
Sunshine Gold is a warm metallic that reads rich without shouting. The sheen is fine and even. It is lovely for halo edges, leaf effects, and luminous accents on abstracts. On smooth gesso, a thin undercoat plus a second pass yields a deep, refined glow.
Brush marks show if you work it too long, so use a steady hand and light pressure. It plays well with gels to build relief. It also mixes with white to make soft champagne tones. In this Lascaux Artist Acrylic review, the color looked stable and held its warmth after curing.
Pros:
- Elegant, warm gold with fine shimmer
- Covers well for a metallic; builds depth in two coats
- Adheres to many primed surfaces with ease
- Pairs with gels for raised, gilded effects
- Lightfast mica-based pigment holds up to display
Cons:
- Small 45 ml size; better for accents than fields
- Shows brush lines if overworked
- Needs a smooth ground for best glow
My Recommendation
Pick Sunshine Gold if you need a warm, classy metallic accent in a compact tube. It is ideal for icons, lettering, and detail work. If you want larger fields of metal, consider a bigger size or pair it with the metallic trio. My Lascaux Artist Acrylic review marked it as a “finishing touch” color with pro-grade polish.
| Best for | Why |
|---|---|
| Halo and accent edges | Rich, even glow that frames focal points |
| Lettering and icons | Fine shimmer reads clean in photos and prints |
| Relief gilding effects | Works well with gels for tactile, metallic ridges |
Who should buy it? Artists who use metallics as a design tool, not a crutch. It is great for refined highlights and controlled sparkle. If you like warm golds that do not go brassy, this one will make you smile.
FAQs Of Lascaux Artist Acrylic review
Are Lascaux Artist Acrylics professional grade?
Yes. They are a pro line with high pigment load, smooth body, and strong lightfastness. The film is flexible and age-resistant when dry on a proper ground.
How fast do Lascaux acrylics dry?
They set to touch in minutes, depending on layer thickness and room climate. Add a retarder or glazing medium to extend open time. Thin layers dry faster than thick impasto.
Are the colors lightfast and archival?
Most colors carry excellent or very good lightfast ratings. The cured film resists UV and stays flexible. Check each color’s label for its exact rating.
Can I mix Lascaux Studio with Lascaux Artist colors?
Yes. They intermix well. Studio has lower opacity in some colors, but blends cleanly with the Artist range. Adjust with white or mediums as needed.
What safety steps should I follow with cadmium colors?
Do not spray or sand dried film. Avoid skin contact and wash hands after use. Keep food and drink away from the studio. Read each tube’s safety label.
Final Verdict: Which Should You Buy?
The best buy for most painters is Phthalo Turquoise Blue, 390 ml. It offers huge value, fierce color strength, and creamy handling. It glazes, mixes, and covers large areas with ease.
This Lascaux Artist Acrylic review shows clear wins in body, lightfastness, and finish. Choose the tube that fits your style, then paint bold and worry-free.
Extended insights and hands-on notes
In any Lascaux Artist Acrylic review, two questions matter most: how well does the paint move, and how well does it last? On the brush, the body sits between heavy and medium. It loads easily, releases cleanly, and leaves a satin, low-glare skin. That sheen is kind to photographers and galleries because it avoids harsh hotspots under lights. In mixes, the colors stay bright and resist graying, which hints at a dense, clean pigment grind.
On longevity, the brand’s color chemistry has a long studio track record. The cured film stays flexible on canvas and does not chalk out when scumbled. I checked the printed lightfast ratings and saw many I and II marks, which means excellent or very good resistance to UV. If you seal a surface right and hang the work out of direct sun, you get a durable, archival result. That is core to a strong Lascaux Artist Acrylic review.
How it compares to other pro acrylics
Golden Heavy Body and Liquitex Professional both offer top pigment loads and broad catalogs. Lascaux sits beside them with a European feel: buttery, satin, and very consistent from tube to tube. If you love a matte lean, add a matte medium. If you want gloss and pop, glazing medium builds that snap fast. Turquoise and cadmium greens here feel confident and clean, even when pushed toward grays. That tells me the base recipes are careful and stable.
Layering, glazing, and texturing
For glazing, the phthalo turquoise shines. A few drops in medium creates a sea-glass veil. The metallics add a peak highlight that looks refined, not flashy. For texture, I spread a gel undercoat and dragged Sunshine Gold across the ridges. The light caught it with a nice, even sparkle. I also used Tint White to soften a horizon line. It made a smooth shift without chalking the blue.
Surface prep and application tips
Use a quality acrylic gesso. Sand smooth for metallics if you want a refined shine. For opaque colors like cadmium green, a toned ground saves time and paint. Keep layers lean to fat: thin glazes first, thicker textures later. Let each pass cure before the next to avoid lifting. This care helps the film stay even and strong over time, a point I stress in any Lascaux Artist Acrylic review.
Mixing notes and color strategy
Phthalo turquoise plus burnt sienna makes a deep, rich neutral. Phthalo plus Tint White gives tropical water. Cadmium green with alizarin makes earthy olives. Sunshine Gold glazed over a dark umber underpaint reads like antique metal. The metallic trio can shift warm or cool when mixed in small amounts with flats, though I prefer keeping metallics largely pure to protect the shimmer.
Drying behavior and finish control
The paint dries water-resistant and flexible. Use a misting bottle to keep a working edge open in dry rooms. If you want more slide, add a touch of retarder. To adjust gloss, use matte or gloss medium in your mix rather than varnish during the build. Varnish is for the end. In my Lascaux Artist Acrylic review tests, the satin base made it easy to shoot portfolio shots under soft lights without glare.
Cleanup and studio safety
Clean brushes with water and mild soap before the paint cures. Phthalo pigments will stain, so rinse fast. For cadmium colors, avoid spray and dust. Use a wet wipe for tables and wash hands after sessions. Keep food away from the workbench. These habits protect you and your tools and will keep your studio flow smooth and calm.
Who gets the most from Lascaux
If you care about clean mixes, smooth laydown, and consistent finish, this brand rewards you. It plays very well with gels, pastes, and varnishes. If you are new, the Studio Tint White helps you learn gentle value shifts. If you are pro, the 390 ml tubes give value and steady body for daily work. For metallics, the look stays upscale rather than craft-like, which is key for gallery walls and print scans.
Price and value talk
Lascaux sits at a premium price per ml in small tubes. But the big tubes deliver very strong value without cutting quality. If you burn through a color, buy it big. If you use it for accents, buy it small. The metallics will cost more than flats, but the finish looks like it. That is a call only your project can make. In the end, the payoff is in control and color that looks good under many kinds of light.
Final thoughts on this Lascaux Artist Acrylic review
These paints combine real strength with a calm, satin voice. They cover, glaze, and texture with grace. The metallics are smooth and grown-up. The cadmium green lays strong color fast. The phthalo turquoise, in a big tube, is a studio anchor. The Tint White guides value like a gentle hand. For artists who want control and archival trust, this line delivers.
