In 1832 chemist William Winsor and artist Henry Newton brought together the knowledge of the scientist and the creativity of the artist to offer an unprecedented choice of colour, clarity and permanence to fine artists. Winsor&Newton pinpointed what was really needed – a regular source of reliable colours and brushes. Winsor&Newton first developed vastly-improved watercolours, followed by a number of other innovations including Chinese white, the first durable opaque white watercolour, and collapsible tin tubes for both oils and watercolours.
William and Henry’s commitment to quality and innovation are part of a rich heritage which informs Winsor&Newton to this day. Winsor&Newton is dedicated to the craft of the fine artist and to providing them with new ways to explore their creativity, allowing them to share their work with a worldwide community. Winsor&Newton embraces new ideas, seeks out the latest technologies and materials, devoting time to creating the world’s finest art materials, which are used by some of the world’s finest artists.
History
1832
Scientist William Winsor and artist Henry Newton establish their partnership at 38 Rathbone Place, London.
1835
The world’s first moist water colours are launched. Winsor&Newton develop the first glycerine based, moist water colours changing the history of outdoor painting.
1840
William Winsor introduces glass syringes to replace bladders as oil colour containers.
1841
Queen Victoria awarded Winsor&Newton their first Royal warrant and the endorsement has been received ever since. Today Winsor&Newton remains by Appointment to HRH the Prince of Wales.
1842
The first screw cap mechanism for collapsible metal tubes is patented by William Winsor; this becomes the standard container for colour.
1854
George Field had researched the preparation of madder and lake colours. After his death, William Winsor purchased his books and the production of Rose Madder was made according to these recipes until recent modernisation.
1881
A few months his death, Henry Newton sold the business to the newly incorporated firm of Winsor&Newton Ltd which included members of both families amongst the shareholders. The Newtons were employed until the late 1970’s.
1892
Dedicated to creating the most stable and permanent pigments, Winsor&Newton were the first to publish the composition and permanence of their colours.
1937
Winsor&Newton introduce Designers’ Gouache
1970
Winsor&Newton introduces their first range of Artists’ Acrylics.
1973
Renowned designer Michael Peters OBE, was responsible for creating Winsor&Newton iconic drawing inks packaging. These designs were recognised in 1973 with a D.A.D.A silver award for a design programme and has since been celebrated in design museums across the world.
1976
Winsor&Newton launch the world’s first artists’ alkyd oil colour. For the first time, this fast drying oil colour range allowed artists to complete oil paintings in a fraction of the time required with conventional oils.
1992
Artists’ Oilbar is introduced. Through the acquisition of a new patent, Winsor&Newton introduced this innovative oil colour in stick form. Designed to match existing oil colours, it enabled artists to draw with oil colour.
1998
Winsor&Newton launch Artisan Water Mixable Oil Colour. Launching a range of oil colours and mediums which could be thinned and cleaned up with water allowed artists to enjoy oil colour without the use of hazardous solvents.