New Masters Classic Acrylics are the realization of a dream held by Professor Theo de Beer , Old Holland's late owner, to develop a line of acrylics and acrylic mediums that would be used today by the "New Masters" of art, just as Old Holland oil paints were used by the Old Masters. This line was developed specifically to complement Old Holland's existing oil and watercolor ranges, yet incorporate the finest new pigments available today. A pure acrylic binder sourced from a "boutique" European manufacturer, while more costly, imparts a unique characteristic to these paints, ensuring excellent adhesion, color retention, and working properties. The combination of high pigment load and a proprietary binding system results in colors that uniquely exhibit the characteristics of the individual pigments. They dry to a satin gloss and offer minimum brush drag, making them ideal for a variety of techniques, from high-build impasto to ultra-thin glazing. Other hallmarks of the New Masters line include the absence of extenders or fillers and minimal wet-dry color shift. Plus, they're virtually indistinguishable in color strength, brilliance, and intensity from the oil color range that is the basis of the Old Holland heritage. Extensive development, consultation with professional artists, and years of field trials have resulted in a selection of opaque and transparent colors that include a range of metallic, pearlescent, iridescent, and interference colors.