Artists Color Since 1853

Established in 1853 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania as Scholz & Company, the Martin F. Weber company was officially formed by a series of growth partnerships to become F. Weber & Company in 1887 under the leadership of its owner, Frederick Weber. For over 150 years, the name Weber has been synonymous with quality art materials.

As an artist, chemist, and author of many art materials publications, Frederick was instrumental in product development. One of his most notable products is Original Permalba White which he first formulated in 1921. The first of its kind, this nontoxic, opaque white oil paint replaced the toxic, lead-based whites that artists had been using for hundreds of years. Today it still remains the artists’ standard in white oil paint. In the 1950’s he introduced Turpenoid, an odorless turpentine replacement that is still used worldwide. This remarkably early commitment to the development of safer art materials continues to the present.

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Signature artists’ sets became a well known staple of the Weber brand after Dennis Kapp took over the company in 1980.  Products from contemporary television art instructors such as Bob Ross, Susan Scheewe, Wyland, and Bruce Blitz made art accessible to public tv viewers across the US.

Acquired in 2018, the Weber brand is owned by Chartpak, Inc., a creative products company committed to adhering to the impeccable standards set by Frederick Weber. Chartpak Inc. welcomes the responsibility for ensuring Weber’s continued legacy as a beloved art materials company.