If you have searched for "Gamblin 1980," you have likely encountered two connected stories: the year Robert Gamblin founded his art materials company in Portland, Oregon, and the studio-friendly oil paint line that carries that date as its name. Understanding both helps painters see why Gamblin 1980 has become a familiar phrase in oil painting circles, from classrooms to professional studios.
Gamblin 1980 is not a single pigment or a limited-edition color. It is shorthand for Gamblin Artists Colors' founding year and, more commonly today, for Gamblin 1980 Oil Colors, an economical line designed to make traditional oil painting more accessible without abandoning the brand's pigment-first reputation. This article unpacks its history, performance, use, and value for artists at every level.
What Is Gamblin 1980?
Gamblin Artists Colors began in 1980 when Robert Gamblin, a painter and color enthusiast, set up shop in Portland, Oregon. His goal was to create oil paints and mediums that served artists with reliable performance while addressing studio safety and environmental concerns. The company grew from a small operation into a respected name in professional art materials.
In product catalogs, "Gamblin 1980" most often refers to Gamblin 1980 Oil Colors. The line is named after that founding year and sits alongside Gamblin Artist's Oil Colors. It is formulated for students, beginners, and professionals who need a more affordable option for studies, underpaintings, large canvases, or daily practice.
The Founding of Gamblin Artists Colors in 1980
Robert Gamblin's background as a painter informed the company's practical approach. He understood that artists need consistency, clean color mixing, and mediums that behave predictably. From the start, Gamblin focused on traditional oil painting materials while questioning some of the harsher solvents and practices common in studios.
Over the decades, Gamblin became known for products such as Gamsol odorless mineral spirits, Galkyd mediums, Neo Megilp, Cold Wax Medium, and Gamvar varnish. The founding year, 1980, remains a central part of the brand identity, signaling both heritage and a long-term commitment to painters.
Gamblin 1980 Oil Colors Product Line
Gamblin 1980 Oil Colors are made with pure pigments and oil, but the ratio differs from Gamblin Artist's Oil Colors. The 1980 line generally contains more oil and less pigment, which lowers the cost and makes the paint slightly softer and more economical for broad use. It still offers the buttery handling and mixability that oil painters expect.
The line is available in tubes and sets, with a range of traditional colors including whites, earths, blues, reds, yellows, and greens. Because it is compatible with Gamblin mediums, solvents, and varnishes, it can serve as a complete system for beginners or as a supplemental palette for experienced artists who save their professional-grade colors for finishing layers.
Why Painters Choose Gamblin 1980
Cost is a major reason artists turn to Gamblin 1980. Oil painting can become expensive quickly, especially when working large or painting frequently. A more affordable line lets students and professionals experiment with color, composition, and technique without worrying about every brushstroke draining a premium tube.
Value alone would not matter if the paint performed poorly, but Gamblin 1980 benefits from the company's quality control and pigment knowledge. Artists choose it for dependable mixing, consistent texture, and compatibility with the wider Gamblin system, which makes it a practical bridge between student materials and professional oil colors.
Performance and Handling Characteristics
Gamblin 1980 Oil Colors have a smooth, buttery consistency that responds well to brushes and palette knives. Because they contain more oil, they can feel a bit looser than some professional-grade oils, which makes them useful for expressive brushwork, blending, and covering large areas. They dry at a typical oil-paint rate, forming a flexible film when applied correctly.
For studies and underpaintings, the 1980 line offers enough pigment strength to establish values and color relationships. Artists can use it for alla prima painting, plein air sketches, color charts, and classroom exercises. When mixed with Gamblin mediums, the paint can be adjusted for thicker impasto effects or thinner, leaner layers.
Safety, Sustainability, and Studio Practices
Gamblin has long advocated for safer studio practices, and the 1980 line fits into that philosophy. Pairing Gamblin 1980 with Gamsol instead of harsh hardware-store solvents reduces fumes and irritation. Proper ventilation, glove use, and careful cleanup further lower exposure to pigments and solvents.
The company also emphasizes responsible manufacturing and packaging. While no oil painting practice is entirely without environmental impact, choosing a brand that thinks carefully about solvents, waste, and materials helps artists build a more sustainable studio. Gamblin 1980 gives beginners a safer entry point into traditional oil painting without requiring a fully professional budget.
How to Use Gamblin 1980 in Your Practice
Gamblin 1980 can be used in nearly any oil painting approach, from direct painting to layered indirect methods. The key is to respect the fundamental rules of oil painting, especially fat over lean. Lean layers contain less oil and more solvent; fatter layers contain more oil or medium. This structure helps prevent cracking and ensures the paint film dries properly.
Beginners can start with a simple palette and a basic medium. Experienced artists can integrate 1980 colors into a larger system, using them for toned grounds, block-ins, and first layers before switching to premium colors for glazes and final accents. The line's flexibility makes it a useful studio workhorse rather than a limited student-only product.
Recommended Mediums and Solvents
Gamsol is Gamblin's odorless mineral spirit and a common choice for thinning 1980 Oil Colors and cleaning brushes. For medium, artists often begin with a mixture of Gamsol and linseed oil, then increase the oil content in later layers. Gamblin also offers Galkyd, Neo Megilp, Solvent-Free Gel, and Cold Wax Medium for different textures and drying rates.
A simple approach is to use Gamsol for the initial sketch or thin wash, then add a small amount of linseed oil or alkyd medium for subsequent layers. Avoid over-thinning paint with solvent alone, because too much solvent can weaken the binder. When in doubt, use less medium and build layers gradually.
Compatibility with Other Gamblin Products
Gamblin 1980 Oil Colors are compatible with Gamblin Artist's Oil Colors, FastMatte Alkyd Oil Colors, and the company's grounds, mediums, and varnishes. This means an artist can start a painting with 1980 colors and finish with professional-grade colors without worrying about adhesion or drying issues, as long as fat-over-lean principles are followed.
For example, a painter might use Gamblin 1980 for a toned canvas and underpainting, then switch to Artist's Oil Colors for final highlights. Gamsol can handle cleanup, Gamvar can varnish the finished surface after proper drying, and Gamblin grounds can prepare panels or canvases. The shared system makes the 1980 line easy to incorporate into an established workflow.
Purchasing and Value Considerations
Gamblin 1980 is typically sold in individual tubes and sets at art supply stores and online retailers. Prices vary by color and tube size, with earth colors and whites often costing less than cadmiums and cobalts. Sets can be a convenient way to start, but open-stock tubes let artists customize a palette based on the colors they actually use.
When comparing value, consider pigment strength, handling, and how much paint you need. A cheaper paint that requires excessive layers may cost more in time and frustration. Gamblin 1980 strikes a balance for many painters: it is affordable enough for frequent practice but reliable enough to produce finished work.
Building a Starter Palette with Gamblin 1980
A practical starter palette includes Titanium White, Ivory Black, Ultramarine Blue, Phthalo Blue, a warm yellow such as Cadmium Yellow Light or Yellow Ochre, a cool yellow if available, Cadmium Red Medium or Alizarin Crimson, Burnt Sienna, and Raw Umber. This selection allows for a wide range of values, earth tones, and mixed greens, oranges, and purples.
From there, artists can add colors based on subject matter. Landscape painters may want Sap Green, Cerulean Blue, or Naples Yellow. Portrait painters might add Transparent Red Oxide, Quinacridone Magenta, or a variety of earth reds. The goal is to choose pigments that mix well and support the painter's typical subjects rather than buying every color at once.
Where to Buy and What to Expect
Gamblin 1980 is available through major art retailers, local art supply shops, and online stores. Inventory can fluctuate by color, so it helps to check multiple sources if a specific tube is out of stock. Buying a set is often the fastest way to begin, while individual tubes are better for replacing favorites or expanding a palette.
Once the paint arrives, store tubes tightly capped in a cool, dry place. Oil paint does not truly expire, but it can skin over if exposed to air, and extreme heat can affect consistency. Keep your palette organized, clean your brushes with Gamsol or soap and water, and treat the paint as a long-term investment in your studio practice.
If you are ready to explore oil painting without committing to the most expensive pigments, Gamblin 1980 offers a sensible place to start. Try a small set, build a limited palette, and let the paint teach you how color, oil, and brushwork behave together. With practice, those first studies can grow into a body of work that feels entirely your own.