The Bottom Line
Who could resist trying blues called Southern Ocean Blue (PG7/PB15.3) or Australian Sky Blue (PW6/PB29)? But Matisse Structure acrylics aren't novelty paints, rather they're artist's quality acrylics that happen to be manufactured in Australia, hence the quirky names of a few of the colors. All the 'usual' colors you're expect are in the range too.
If you're after a decent artist's quality acrylic paint that does all the 'normal' things, such as hold impasto brushmarks, thin for glazes, and dry quickly, you should consider it.
Pros
- Range of 66 colors with high lightfastness ratings.
- Includes various special 'Australian colors' e.g. Southern Ocean Blue, Australian Yellow Green
- Tube label has a swatch of paint on it, not just a printed color.
- Tube label clearly shows which pigments a color is made from.
- Extensive range of mediums available.
Cons
- Not widely available in some countries (try mail order).
- The gold foil on the label is a bit unnecessarily showy for me, but it's what's inside that counts.
Description
- Matisse Structure Formula acrylics are manufactured in Australia by Matisse Derivan, a company founded in 1964.
- Matisse is an artist's quality acrylic, supported by a range of mediums. (Derivan is the student range.) (See color chart.)
- Available in 66 colors in 75ml tubes. Limited colors available in 250 and 500ml jars. Some box sets of colors available.
- All have a ASTM 1 or 2 lightfastness rating.
- Mediums have numbers as well as names, making them easy to identify and differentiate. (See mediums chart.)
Guide Review - Acrylic Paint Review: Matisse Structure Formula Acrylic
Matisse structure paint has a soft, buttery consistency that will hold brushmarks if used undiluted, or straight from the tube. Like any acrylic paint it can be diluted (with water and/or medium) to be used as a glaze, for painting without brushmarks, or to use watercolor-type techniques. To increase the impasto effect, you'd mix it with impasto or texture medium.
The full color range (more than 60) is available in 75ml (2.53 fl.oz) tubes, which are metal with a plastic cap. The tubes have a very solid feel to them and although I haven't emptied one far enough to do so, I imagine they'll roll up nicely so you can squeeze that very last bit of paint out.
Every tube has a hand-painted color swatch on it, rather than a printed one, so you can see the true color of the paint and judge its opacity or transparency. I like this when buying a new color as shop assistants tend to frown at you if you open a tube to see the paint color.
The sample set I received was a sea color set containing brilliant alizarin, phthalo blue, Prussian blue (that favorite of mine!), yellow oxide, phthalo green, Southern Ocean blue, ultramarine blue, and Naples yellow light, plus a tube of MM2 impasto and MM4 gel mediums (MM = Matisse Medium). It'd make a nice gift set for someone just starting out, or wanting to try seascapes. (See photo of box set.)
The comparison of the Prussian blue to what I usually use was very favorable -- a deep, dark blue when used thickly and a glorious transparent blue when thinned. Just what I'd expect and want.
The colors overall are saturated and rich; the paint goes on smoothly when thick and thins easily. It dried quickly, as I'd expect and enjoy with acrylics.
If you're in a part of the world where Matisse acrylics are easily available, I'd definitely give them a try. If you can't find them in your local store, try an online one.
