Origins
We are an alliance of two professionals, united by a deep respect for the traditions of the Grand Maîtres and by the belief that true innovation can grow from tradition.
Based in Athens, Greece, our work is rooted in a rich cultural heritage that values the preservation, continuation, and transmission of knowledge across generations.
Under the famous Greek sun and within Greece’s renowned temperate climate, we refine and purify the precious first cold-pressed linseed oil used in our Oil Colours.
Heritage and Continuity
Traditional art materials for artists have already proven their value — artworks created using such techniques have endured for centuries, demonstrating their exceptional quality, colour tension, and longevity.
Yet today, truly traditional Oil Colours — made as closely as possible to the methods of the Grand Maîtres — are becoming increasingly rare.
Recognising this absence, we joined forces to create genuinely traditional, handmade, professional Oil Colours. Our aim is to offer contemporary artists the opportunity to work with materials inspired by and based on the techniques that shaped masterpieces throughout history.
Philosophy & Values
Our Oil Colours are authentic, rich in chroma, and crafted with exceptional care and dedication.
They are made using first cold-pressed linseed oil—refined by hand according to the techniques practiced by painters in 16th-century Venice—and naturally bleached under the powerful Greek spring sun.
Years of research and experimentation ensure that our pigments stand out for their exceptional quality. They are safe for human health and the environment and, above all, ensure reliable control, consistent mixability, and excellent painting performance.
The people behind the Colours
Timos Batinakis is an acclaimed and award-winning Greek painter (Athens School of Fine Arts), whose works are included in the permanent collection of the Greek National Gallery, among other public galleries and private collections. Beyond his artistic practice, he is recognised for his deep passion for the technology of artists’ materials and his 25-year research into the techniques of the Grand Maîtres. For more than two decades, he has been creating and using his own handmade Oil Colours in his work.
Dr. Leda Dorikou, is a specialist in Mathematics and Total Quality Management, holding a PhD on Innovation Management and Business Strategy. Her research explores how tradition can become a driver of innovation*. She is also an engraver (Athens School of Fine Arts).
*: Leda Dorikou, ‘Unleashing the power of Innovation: Tradition as Competitive Strategy’, 2011, Ph.D Thesis. Waseda University, Tokyo, Japan
Vision for the future
Our vision is to preserve the premium quality of traditional handmade art materials — knowledge and craftsmanship that have been gradually lost through industrialisation and mass production.
At the same time, we seek to innovate responsibly by adapting these historic traditions to the needs of contemporary professional artists, ensuring that these timeless methods continue to inspire creativity for generations to come.
