Charvin Fine Artists' Oil Paints Azurin Blue Medium - Large 150 mL

In this review of Charvin Fine Artists' Oil Paints Azurin Blue Medium the bottom line is clear: this 150 mL tube is aimed at painters who want a rich, creamy blue with professional-level pigments without the extra-fine price. The paint is formulated primarily with poppy oil for a non-yellowing, smooth consistency and excellent brilliance, and the size makes it especially practical for plein aire sessions, classroom use, or any project that consumes a lot of color. It feels notably buttery on the brush and holds glazing and detail work well.

Key Features

• Poppy oil binder: Gives a creamier, less yellowing finish than many linseed-only paints, which helps preserve bright blues over time.
• Large 150 mL tube: Provides excellent value and reduces the need to reorder frequently for plein aire or bulk painting sessions.
• Traditional and modern pigments: A balanced formula that combines color brilliance and permanence for both classical and contemporary techniques.
• Good handling: The consistency is smooth and buttery, making it suited to fine glazing, detailed work, and alla prima approaches.
• Wide color range from the line: Part of a 140-color family and available in themed sets, so matching and expanding a palette is straightforward.

Who It's For

Charvin Azurin Blue Medium is ideal for oil painters who need a dependable, vibrant blue in a large tube: plein aire artists who favor portability and bulk, instructors buying for classroom sets, and professionals who mix or glaze frequently. The poppy oil base and pigment selection make it a solid choice for artists concerned about long-term color stability and a creamy working feel.

Less suitable are painters seeking the absolute most finely milled, museum-grade extra-fine oils, since Charvin Fine Oils are milled slightly less than the brand's extra-fine line. Those who require extremely fast drying or specialty alkyd bases should look elsewhere.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Rich, luminous color from a mix of traditional and modern pigments that keeps work lively.
• Large 150 mL tube reduces cost-per-use for plein aire, studio work, or teaching environments.
• Smooth, creamy handling because of the poppy and linseed oil blend, excellent for glazing and detail.
• Part of a broad 140-color range and available sets make palette building easy.

Cons

• Not milled to the same extent as extra-fine oils, so extremely demanding collectors may prefer a finer grind.

Specifications

Brand	Charvin
Color	Azurin Blue Medium
Tube size	150 mL
Binder	Poppy oil blend (with linseed)
Pigments	Combination of traditional and modern pigments
Range	Line offers 140 colors and themed sets

Our Verdict

For artists who want a vibrant, stable blue that handles smoothly and comes in a large, economical tube, Charvin Azurin Blue Medium is a practical and well-made choice. It balances pigment quality, permanence, and a creamy poppy-oil feel, making it good value for plein aire painters, classrooms, and studio artists who need plentiful color without stepping up to the extra-fine price tier.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this paint suitable for plein aire painting?
Yes. The 150 mL size and creamy handling make it convenient for outdoor sessions and frequent use.

Will the poppy oil cause yellowing over time?
Poppy oil is less prone to yellowing than raw linseed when formulated properly, and Charvin combines it with non-yellowing oils for long-term stability.

How does this compare to extra-fine oils?
Charvin Fine Oils are milled for a shorter time than extra-fine grades, so they are slightly less finely ground but still offer excellent color and consistency.