Old Holland has been making artist colors since 1664, making it one of the oldest continuously operating companies in the art supplies industry. The company is known for uncompromising adherance to traditional techniques and standards. All color making is done by hand, and all processes are controlled by artists. Pigments are ground in stone rather than metal rollers, and colors are packaged in lead tubes rather than the more modern aluminum alloy tubes, which eventually oxidize and decay. Old Holland Oils are produced according to traditional recipes, those used for paintings made in the 17th century. These paintings retain the clarity of their colors to this day. That's durability. Like hundreds of years ago, only the best pigments and binders are used to produce very concentrated and light-fast paint, resulting in higher color strength, hiding power, and intensity. That goes for all 168 colors listed here. Only cold-pressed linseed oil from the first pressing is used for the binder. This optimizes oxidation (drying) of the paint and also promotes permanence. The brush strokes flow out better too.