Top 10 Companies in the Professional Fine Art Paints Industry (2026): Market Leaders Powering Global Creativity

In Business Insights
February 28, 2026


The Global Professional Fine Art Paints Market was valued at USD 3.15 Billion in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 5.08 Billion by 2034, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 7.3% during the forecast period (2024–2034). This growth is being driven by a global resurgence in arts education, rising engagement from serious hobbyists, and the accelerating demand for high-performance, sustainable materials from professional artists and institutions.

As the creative economy expands and artists seek materials that ensure longevity and brilliance, the spotlight is on the key paint manufacturers who are driving innovation, color science, and material excellence. In this blog, we profile the Top 10 Companies in the Professional Fine Art Paints Industry—a mix of heritage brands, innovators, and global suppliers shaping the future of artistic expression.


🔟 1. Colart (Winsor & Newton, Liquitex)

Headquarters: London, United Kingdom
Key Offering: Oil, Acrylic, Watercolor, Gouache, and Printmaking Inks

Colart is a global leader in the professional fine art paints market, renowned for its iconic brands Winsor & Newton and Liquitex. With a history spanning nearly two centuries, the company sets industry standards for pigment quality, lightfastness, and consistency. Winsor & Newton is synonymous with traditional media like oils and watercolors, while Liquitex dominates the acrylic paints segment with its innovative heavy body and high-flow formulations.

Innovation Initiatives:

  • Pioneering research into high-load pigment technology

  • Development of non-toxic, water-mixable oil paint ranges

  • Commitment to expanding sustainable and vegan product lines

Download FREE Sample Report: Professional Fine Art Paints Market – View in Detailed Research Report


9️⃣ 2. FILA Group (Daler-Rowney)

Headquarters: Milan, Italy
Key Offering: System 3 Acrylics, Georgian Oil Paints, Aquafine Watercolours

FILA Group, through its Daler-Rowney brand, is a major force in the art materials world, catering to everyone from students to master artists. The company offers a comprehensive portfolio of professional-grade paints known for their reliability and vibrant color palettes. Daler-Rowney’s Georgian Oil Colour and System 3 Acrylic ranges are particularly respected for their quality and value, serving a broad international market.

Innovation Initiatives:

  • Focus on creating accessible professional-grade products

  • Investment in eco-friendly packaging and material sourcing


8️⃣ 3. Schmincke

Headquarters: Erkrath, Germany
Key Offering: Mussini Oil Paints, Horadam Watercolours, PrimAcryl Acrylics

Schmincke is a German manufacturer celebrated for its exceptional quality and meticulous production standards. Favored by conservators and professional artists worldwide, Schmincke paints are known for their high pigment concentration and exceptional handling properties. The Horadam watercolor line and Mussini oil paints are considered among the finest available, often used for important restoration work and museum-grade artwork.

Innovation Initiatives:

  • Certification of lightfastness and material composition to international standards

  • Ongoing development of specialized mediums for advanced techniques


7️⃣ 4. Daniel Smith

Headquarters: Seattle, Washington, USA
Key Offering: Extra Fine Watercolours, Primatek Mineral Paints, Oil Paints

Daniel Smith has earned a formidable reputation, particularly in the watercolor community, for its expansive and unique color range. The company is famous for its Primatek series, made from genuine minerals and semiprecious stones, offering colors found nowhere else. Its commitment to artist-led innovation and unparalleled pigment selection has made it a top choice for watercolorists seeking the highest quality and most vibrant hues.

Innovation Initiatives:

  • Introduction of over 250 unique watercolor pigments

  • Development of luminescent and quinacridone-rich color lines


6️⃣ 5. Old Holland

Headquarters: Apeldoorn, Netherlands
Key Offering: Classic Oil Colours, New Masters Oil Paints, Acrylics

Old Holland produces paints using traditional methods that date back to the 17th century, making them a favorite among artists who value historical accuracy and exceptional quality. Each pigment is hand-ground, resulting in unparalleled texture and color strength. Old Holland’s Classic Oil Colours are renowned for their buttery consistency and are used by artists and conservators working with traditional techniques.

Innovation Initiatives:

  • Preservation of historical paint-making techniques

  • Expansion into modern acrylic mediums while maintaining quality standards

Download FREE Sample Report: Professional Fine Art Paints Market – View in Detailed Research Report


5️⃣ 6. Pebeo

Headquarters: Gémenos, France
Key Offering: Studio Acrylics, Fantastik Effect Paints, Oil Paints

A key player in the European market, Pebeo is known for combining quality with creativity. The company offers a wide range of professional paints, but has carved a significant niche with its innovative product lines like Fantastik, which includes paints with resin effects, pearlescents, and gels. Pebeo serves both fine artists and the hobby market, with its Studio Acrylics being a popular professional-grade choice.

Innovation Initiatives:

  • Focus on creative and special effect paints for mixed media artists

  • Development of solvent-free and eco-responsible formulas


4️⃣ 7. Sakura

Headquarters: Osaka, Japan
Key Offering: Gansai Tambi Watercolors, Cray-Pas Oil Pastels

While globally recognized for its pencil and pen products, Sakura is a major supplier of professional fine art paints, particularly in Asia. The Gansai Tambi watercolor sets are celebrated for their brilliant, opaque colors and are a staple for illustrators and calligraphers. Sakura’s expertise in color formulation and its strong distribution network across Asia and beyond make it a significant competitor.

Innovation Initiatives:

  • Integration of traditional Japanese aesthetics with modern paint technology

  • Expansion of professional-grade color ranges for global markets


3️⃣ 8. Shanghai Marie Painting Materials

Headquarters: Shanghai, China
Key Offering: Marie’s Acrylics, Watercolors, Oil Paints

As one of China’s largest art material manufacturers, Shanghai Marie plays a crucial role in supplying the professional learning and art creation markets, particularly in Asia. The company produces a vast array of paints that balance quality and affordability, making professional-grade materials accessible to a growing number of artists in emerging economies.

Innovation Initiatives:

  • Scaled manufacturing to serve mass markets efficiently

  • Development of paints tailored for traditional Chinese painting techniques


2️⃣ 9. Mont Marte

Headquarters: Melbourne, Australia
Key Offering: Acrylic Paint Sets, Oil Paints, Watercolor Kits

Mont Marte has grown into a globally recognized brand by offering high-quality art supplies at accessible price points. While serving a broad market, its professional-series acrylics and oils are formulated to meet the demands of serious artists. The brand’s strength lies in its comprehensive kits and sets, which provide artists with everything needed to start and continue their practice.

Innovation Initiatives:

  • Focus on product bundles and sets for value-conscious professionals

  • Expansion of online tutorials and educational content to support artists


1️⃣ 10. M. Graham & Co.

Headquarters: Portland, Oregon, USA
Key Offering: Walnut Oil Paints, Watercolours, Gouache

M. Graham & Co. is a respected artisan manufacturer known for its unique use of walnut oil as a binder in its oil paints, instead of the more common linseed oil. This results in paints that are slower drying and have a distinctive, creamy consistency. Their watercolors are also highly regarded for their high pigment load and use of pure gum arabic. The company’s commitment to small-batch, handcrafted quality has earned it a loyal following among discerning artists.

Innovation Initiatives:

  • Specialization in walnut oil-based paints for a unique market position

  • Emphasis on natural, minimally processed ingredients

Get Full Report Here: Professional Fine Art Paints Market – View in Detailed Research Report


🎨 Outlook: The Future of Professional Fine Art Paints Is Sustainable and Specialized

The professional fine art paints market is undergoing a significant evolution. While traditional mediums like oil and acrylic continue to dominate, the industry is investing heavily in sustainable formulations, specialized product lines, and digital integration to meet the demands of a new generation of artists.

📈 Key Trends Shaping the Market:

  • Rapid growth in demand for non-toxic, vegan, and eco-friendly paint formulas

  • Expansion of specialized lines for effects, textures, and specific artistic disciplines

  • Digitalization of color matching, tutorials, and direct-to-artist sales channels

  • Artist-manufacturer collaborations for co-developed product lines and colors

Get Full Report Here: Professional Fine Art Paints Market – View in Detailed Research Report

The companies listed above are not only supplying the world’s artists—they’re pioneering the creative future of visual arts.