Abstract: An oil based artist paint composition is disclosed in which a polymeric plasticizer is included that acts to circumvent embrittlement of a dried paint film on ageing. The invention has particular application to artists' paint compositions that are linseed oil based. A preferred plasticizer is poly butyl acrylate.In a preferred embodiment, alkyd resins are included in the composition to reduce the tendency of paint films to shrink on ageing and "creep" when used in very heavy impasto applications.