FAQs

For purchases made through our website we operate a no quibble returns policy. If you return an item within 30 days of receipt, in perfect, unopened condition, we'll refund it no questions asked. Please note, we are unable to exchange products.

Items bought at the high street or other online stores outside of WinsorNewton.com cannot be returned online. Please contact the original point of purchase for returns.

First contact us to submit your return request. We will then be in contact with you to issue a unique Return Authorization Number. Keep your number safe as you will be unable to process your return without it. In some situations, you'll be eligible for a pre-paid shipping label and this will be emailed to you if you qualify. Then simply package everything up securely and send it back to us.

Once we receive and check your goods, a refund will be made to the same payment card within 14 days of receipt. We'll always contact you if there is a problem at this stage.

If purchased in a store, please contact the store where you purchased the product from. If purchased online with W&N please contact us, and we will look into this for
you.

Series numbers are a prominent part of the information provided on the tubes and in literature about Winsor & Newton colours but some artists may be unaware of what they stand for and may find them a little confusing.

Series numbers simply refer to the cost of the colour. Artists’ colours are sold in series. Series 1 is the least expensive; the higher the series number, the more expensive the colour. Some ranges have more series than other ranges; the professional or artist grade ranges often have more series. Artists’ Water Colour, for example, has four series. Cotman Water Colours have two.

The series numbers generally give an indication as to the cost of the pigments used to produce the colours. For example, cadmium pigments are more expensive than titanium white pigment, therefore cadmium colours will always be a higher series than titanium white so will cost more per tube. It doesn’t make them superior; it’s simply that the pigments cost more.

There are a number of reasons that some pigments might cost more; it could be that the production method requires more complexity or difficulty, or it could relate to scarcity. Quality only enters into the equation where there may be different quality grades within specific pigments. For example, one cadmium red might be a higher grade & cost more than another cadmium red, but both will be expensive relative to titanium white.

We considered glass and metal as options for new packaging. However, both those materials use up considerably more energy in manufacture and transportation than plastic does. This makes plastic the more environmentally friendly option as long as the packaging was at least 50% recycled plastic.

Use our store locator.

If you would like to stock our products then please access our contact us form in the bottom right corner of this page.

With the exception of Lead based colours, such as Artist Oil Colour Flake White and Winton Oil Colour Flake White, there is no restriction for use of Winsor and Newton products by pregnant women. Flake White containing products carry a warning that the product should not be used if contemplating pregnancy or if pregnant. No other products carry health warnings for pregnancy.

The process of painting in oils involves the use of solvents. Solvents, such as Turpentine, White Spirit and Sansodor and some solvent based mediums carry hazard warnings, but none are restricted for use by pregnant women. It may nevertheless be a prudent decision to limit the amount of solvent vapour in an art studio or not to use solvents at all during pregnancy, so reducing exposure to an absolute minimum.

The carriage of dangerous goods by air is governed by the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations, the latest edition being the 49th Edition, effective from 1st January 2008.

Please follow the link below to a list of the products made by Winsor & Newton that are “not classified” in accordance with these regulations. They therefore fall outside the scope of the regulations i.e. are safe for transportation by air.

We suggest that you consult with your airline before taking these products on the airlines. It is our experience that some airlines will adopt local rules outside the scope of IATA, that prohibit some product categories, such as oil colours.

For further information click here.

Winsor and Newton products are made to the highest possible standards. In some cases non-animal derived ingredients at present cannot match the high performance of critical animal derived ingredients.

However, technology rapidly progresses and we are constantly researching new and alternative raw materials.  At some stage in the future there may be a non-animal derived development that can match or exceed these existing ingredients at which point they will be replaced. All our animal derived products are obtained from sustainable sources and are by-products of other industries. Animals are not sourced for the sole use of manufacturing Winsor and Newton products. Please follow the link to a list of products containing animal derived ingredients.

The art of painting safely with Winsor & Newton artists’ materials, whether in your home or studio space, or while travelling, can be achieved with a combination of care and common sense. However, as with other chemical products, high standards of general hygiene should be adhered to both during and after use of these products, and warnings given on individual products should be followed.

Read on for information and tips on art safety when it comes to studio clean-up and safe use, travelling on-the-go with paints and disposing of art materials after use. We’ve also covered what to keep in mind when it comes to EU legislations and health labelling in the USA.

Product safety data sheets can be found on the product page by clicking the 'Download Safety Data Sheet' button.

Unfortunately, we do not have samples available. However, we have dot cards and beginner sets available to help you with getting started.

No unfortunately, empty Watercolour sets, and half pans are not available to purchase.

No. We do not provide spare parts for easels at the moment. 

Fake products may be cheaper, check the prices, Quality of the product, Packaging, use our store locator for our stockists. If you have any doubts, please contact us for advice.

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