Five generations of chemists in the Blockx family have been working since 1865 to perfect the Blockx Oil Colors. Today, Jacques Blockx IV and his daughter Catherine Blockx (Generation V) carry on this great tradition. Their workshop in Belgium resembles a winemaker's chateau more than a modern industrial factory. Together, they produce color in the tradition of the Flemish masters. In the Blockx tradition, paint is still handground using a slowly rotating three roll stone mill. Only pure pigment is used. All colors have a minimum lightfastness rating of 7 out of 8 on the blue wool scale, so the entire line can be considered perfectly lightfast. Iron oxides, earth pigments, and blacks are ground with linseed oil. All other pigments are ground with poppyseed oil, which prevents yellowing and dries without wrinkling or mottling. Each pigment is used at its best saturation, and no additives or fillers are used, whatsoever.