For you
Answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about colours, painting mediums and techniques.

Wir achten neben der sehr hohen Qualität auf eine hohe Ergiebigkeit unserer Produkte. Dies bedeutet einen aussergewöhnlich hohen Gehalt an Pigmenten bei den Farben und Wirkstoffen bei den Malhilfen. Die Deckkraft der Farben ist auch beim Verdünnen mit Wasser deutlich erhöht, so dass der Verbrauch an Farbe wesentlich geringer ist als bei Wettbewerbsprodukten. Aufgrund der intensiven Wirkstoff-Konzentration bei den Malhilfen ist bei der praktischen Anwendung das Verdünnen mit Wasser zu empfehlen, so dass der effektive Verbrauch unserer Malhilfen gering ist.


Durch die intelligente Komposition der Rohstoffe kann der notwendige chemische Anteil auf ein Mindestmass reduziert werden. Lascaux Farben bestehen bis zu 80 % aus natürlichen Rohstoffen. Ganz ohne Chemie geht es aber nicht, um die hohen Anforderungen der Kunstschaffenden an die Farben in puncto Qualität, Verarbeitung und Haltbarkeit zu realisieren.


Wir verwenden grundsätzlich hochwertige Rohstoffe, die in Europa produziert werden.

Why are Lascaux products particularly sustainable?

In addition to ensuring very high quality, we place great emphasis on the high yield of our products. This means an exceptionally high pigment concentration in our colours and a high level of active ingredients in our painting mediums. The opacity of the colours remains very strong even when diluted with water, resulting in considerably lower paint consumption compared with competing products.


Due to the intensive concentration of active ingredients in our painting mediums, we recommend dilution with water during practical use, which also reduces the effective amount required.


Through the intelligent composition of raw materials, the necessary chemical content can be reduced to an absolute minimum. Lascaux colours consist of up to 80% natural raw materials. However, a small amount of chemistry is still needed to meet artists’ high expectations regarding quality, application, and durability.


We use exclusively high-quality raw materials that are produced in Europe.

Do Lascaux colours contain microplastics?

The Lascaux colour ranges – Artist, Studio, Gouache, etc. – and all painting mediums contain no microplastics. Only the Neon colours contain microplastics, as their colour-giving components are embedded in plastic particles. To minimise their release into wastewater, we recommend treating the rinse water with our upcoming brush-water cleaning set.


The binders used in Lascaux paints are polymeric substances of natural or synthetic origin. In the liquid paint, they are finely dispersed; when the paint dries, they coalesce to form a film. These binders do not constitute microplastics, as confirmed by the current European Regulation.

What are the main sources of microplastics?

In addition to primary microplastics – plastic particles intentionally produced and added to products (e.g. as abrasives in cosmetics) – there are secondary microplastics. These are formed during the use and disposal of plastic products (e.g. tyre abrasion or fibre shedding during washing of synthetic textiles) or through the decomposition of plastic parts in the environment, for example in the sea.


When paints and coatings are mentioned as a source of microplastics, this refers to plastic particles produced by mechanical wear, such as weathering on building façades.


The main source of microplastics is tyre abrasion – approximately 8,000 tonnes per year in Switzerland.

What should I do with leftover paint and rinse water?

To prevent paints from entering wastewater, we recommend first removing paint residues mechanically from tools and wiping brushes thoroughly on newspaper. Allow any remaining paint to dry, then dispose of it in normal household waste. The same applies to empty containers. (Tip: to make full use of the paint, containers can be carefully cut open.)


Brushes and tools with still-wet paint residues should first be wiped with newspaper and then washed with water. The resulting rinse water should be collected. Using our forthcoming brush-water cleaning set, paint residues can be precipitated and filtered out. The dried filter residue may be disposed of in household waste, while the cleaned water can safely go down the drain.

What does Lascaux do for environmental protection?

From the very beginning, Lascaux has been committed to the careful use of resources and environmental protection. We therefore produce as energy-efficiently as possible. Our paints and mediums are made with water and contain no solvents; they are classified as non-toxic.


Our tools and machinery are cleaned exclusively with water, without chemical additives. This water passes through our in-house purification system before being released into the environment.


Lascaux adheres to the environmental compatibility guidelines of CEPE, the European Council of the Paint Industry.

Do Lascaux colours contain animal byproducts?

All colours and painting mediums by Lascaux are free of animal byproduct, which means they are vegan.

 The Lascaux brushes have synthetic hair. Natural hair comes mostly from animals kept in uncontrolled breeding farms. For ethical reasons Lascaux does not offer brushes with natural hair.

How safe are Lascaux colours from a toxicological point of view? 
Lascaux Colours are certified as non-toxic in accordance with the Swiss Chemicals Ordinance and the relevant EU Directives. To protect the paints from micro-organisms and fungi, we add small quantities of preservatives similar to those used in household products.
How long can Lascaux colours be kept?

The shelf life for unopened containers is as follows: 

  • Artist, Studio Original, Sirius, Aquacryl, Crystal, Serigrafia: 5 years
  • Painting Mediums, Perlacryl: 4 years
  • Gouache, Decora, Neon : 3 years
  • Studio Bronze Original, Resonance Gouache, Resonance Interior Paint: 2 years
  • UV Protect Sprays: 5 years
  • Fixative Spray und Fixativ liquid: 10 years
Always make sure the bottles and tubes are closed properly after use. The paint should always be sprayed from the bottle or dispensed with a clean painting utensil.
Are Lascaux colours lightfast?
Yes; we only use pigments that have maximum lightfastness or very good lightfastness properties (except Lascaux Neon). For outdoor use and/or conditions of strong light incidence we recommend that you protect the colours against UV radiation by using Lascaux Transparent Varnish UV.
Are Lascaux colours resistant to the effects of weather?
Lascaux Acrylic colours (Artist, Studio Original, Perlacryl, Sirius Acryl) are resistant to the effects of weather. The Studio Bronze Original colour hues 995 and 997 are suitable for outdoor use. The other Bronzes have a greater tendency towards oxidation. With all outdoor applications we recommend a finishing varnish using Lascaux Transparent Varnish UV. Lascaux gouache and watercolours (Gouache, Decora, Resonance, Sirius Water and Aquacryl) are not suitable for outdoor use. 
Why are Lascaux colours more expensive than other acrylic paints?
We believe that choosing high-quality raw materials is of the utmost importance. Therefore only Pigments, binding agents and additives of best quality are used. Lascaux colours and mediums are especially unique, as all colour ranges and mediums are finished on the three roll mill. As a result the customer obtains a Swiss premium product refined through fine craftsmanship that is not only more resistant to ageing but also of higher quality than cheaper acrylic colours.
How compatible are acrylic and oil colours? 
In general, we do not recommend mixing acrylic and oil colours. The same applies to acrylic and gouache paints. However, an underlayer of acrylic paint can be overpainted with an oil colour. “Thick on thin” is the rule. Painting acrylic onto oil is only possible after a few years, when the oil paint’s oxidation process is completed.
How much paint do I need per square metre? 
We recommend between 150 and 200 ml/m² per coat. The amount of paint required can vary depending on the technique and the substrate.
How much priming do I need per square metre?
Consumption varies greatly depending on the nature of the support. Please refer to our technical data sheets.
Lascaux Primer (PDF)
Can Lascaux acrylic colours be diluted with water?
All our products can be diluted with water (guideline: should not exceed 20 to 25%). Use Lascaux Mediums if higher dilution ratios are required; this will ensure that adhesion is maintained.
Can I use Lascaux colours for airbrush technique?
All our colours are suitable for airbrushing. Recommended nozzle size: min. 0.15 mm to 0.5 mm.