An aqueous coating composition with an improved open time comprising (a) a crosslinkable water-dispersible oligomer(s); (b) a dispersed polymer(s), (c) a pigment(s) with an oil absorption number .ltoreq.25 g oil/100 g pigment and optionally (d) a Newtonian-like thickener(s) and (e) a thixotropic thickener(s) wherein the weight ratio of (a):(b) is in the range of from 10:90 to 60:40; wherein (d)+(e)=0.1 to 10 wt % and wherein said composition when drying to form a coating has a tack-free time of .ltoreq.24 hours.