The latter are less reliable as the pigments in them will tend to fade at differing rates over the years hence causing colour changes which may not be desirable. Student quality paints tend to be chalkier and have weaker tinting strength because of the larger amount of filler used in their production. The medium which the pigments are ground into may also be of lower quality, and the pigments less finely ground. A comparison of the same colour and brand in both student and artist quality will show up these differences. Some student lines may also contain fewer lightfast pigments.
Artists develop preferences for particular brands as they go along.
There are a number of leading brands available around the world which you can rely on for lightfastness, clarity of colour and fine manufacturing processes. The only real point of confusion is in the naming of the paints. Depending on which country you live in you should be able to purchase one or more of the following brands of artists paints. This list is open-ended and will be added to as further top brands come to light. Grumbacher Academy - This is an upgraded range and many of its colours are very reliable.