For me, this whole lightfast obsession feels like bragging and like a way to distance themselves from the "newbies". "See *I* am a Professional because I care about this concept that is relevant for fine artists only (let's be honest: Very few people are going to sell original artwork, UA-cam popularity or not). I can afford it and care about it, Not like those hobbyists who use subpar materials." Also a lot don't even seem to know what lightfastness testing is about (it is usually about museum conditions) No shit, the colours a creator taped to their car windshield faded, everything, save for earth colours would. People who are displaying artwork in hours of direct sunlight and are then surprised that it has an effect on colors, are morons. I avoid people on UA-cam who go on and on about lightfastness. It is fine to mention it, but everything beyond this is a hard no from me.
I’m a chemist and pigment nerd, and am fascinated by lightfastness, but have been getting less and less concerned with it, because I mainly work in sketchbooks. When I do large watercolors I definitely pay close attention now, especially since several people have asked for my work and framed them. But the rest of the time I am perfectly happy to play with my student grade as well as my better paints. But I also realize that the lightfast claims of many brands are just using lightfast numbers of pigments determined years ago and claimed by the manufacturers of the pigments, which maybe are not even tested in the medium of use - watercolor is much less lightfast than acrylic for instance, because the pigments are spread so thinly. Only a few companies really do testing of their materials. I’ve learned enough to guess which ones will be truly lightfast, which companies I trust, and which ones are iffy at best, and make my choices accordingly. Plus I like to do my own testing- you are correct that environment has as much to do with permanence as just UV exposure. Humidity and pollution can do as much or more damage.
I agree with you 100 percent. I love the creative process and am just as happy drawing with a school pencil on a piece of regular paper as I am when I use my better art supplies. I love your painting; it reminds me of the dove I’ve had the pleasure of observing this summer. - Melissa
I have mostly professional supplies, purchased second hand, because they are easy to replace individually. I would hate to fall in love with something I may not be able to get more of. I also appreciate the continuity and ease of use of many established brands. I use all of my supplies even though most sets include some not so lightfast colors. I do keep track of fugitive pigments, but I am really only concerned if they will not outlast me.
Hi, thank you for commenting 🙏🏻 I definitely agree with your points. I also prefer to buy things that I know I can replace / top up in needed, and depending on what I'm painting I pay attention to lightfastness to a certain degree.
I just finished swatching a newly purchased set of 12 half-pan watercolor paints: the Schminke Horadam Special Edition Floral set, which cost me $105 Canadian from Amazon. The package came with Chinese information stickers on it! What gives? My set of 24 Mungyo watercolor half-pan paints was less than $100. They're from Korea, made in Korea, by Koreans, hopefully. What gives, the Germans can't make a profit from manufacturing their own product in their own country by their own citizens? 🤔 I also just purchased on Amazon a set of Rosa 21 monopigment FULL pans made in Poland by, I'm assuming, Polish workers for $80 plus tax and delivery. Where is Schmincke's national pride? 🤔 ($$$) I too am a happy hobby painter whose modest paintings live hidden away from the public eye in journals. Now I want to get into crafting my own journals. There's lots of videos on UA-cam about various ways to do that; much cheaper than buying Arche's blocks because some UA-camr says you absolutely must use the best of the best, i.e. the most $$$ watercolor paper in order to be a real artist 😂 Ha! And don't get me going on brushes😠 No Kalinsky Sable brushes allowed for the vegan influenced watercolor painter. That's now considered animal abuse. Shame on you for not being politically correct 🥺 Think I'll go paint something now to get myself calmed down. 😡 Like your bird painting, it's lovely. Greetings from Toronto, Ontario 🇨🇦
@@3534538 Could be? Maybe it was originally sent from Germany to China where someone there decided to make money by reselling it on Amazon for a profit? Do you think 🤔
For me, this whole lightfast obsession feels like bragging and like a way to distance themselves from the "newbies". "See *I* am a Professional because I care about this concept that is relevant for fine artists only (let's be honest: Very few people are going to sell original artwork, UA-cam popularity or not). I can afford it and care about it, Not like those hobbyists who use subpar materials."
Also a lot don't even seem to know what lightfastness testing is about (it is usually about museum conditions) No shit, the colours a creator taped to their car windshield faded, everything, save for earth colours would. People who are displaying artwork in hours of direct sunlight and are then surprised that it has an effect on colors, are morons.
I avoid people on UA-cam who go on and on about lightfastness. It is fine to mention it, but everything beyond this is a hard no from me.
I’m a chemist and pigment nerd, and am fascinated by lightfastness, but have been getting less and less concerned with it, because I mainly work in sketchbooks. When I do large watercolors I definitely pay close attention now, especially since several people have asked for my work and framed them. But the rest of the time I am perfectly happy to play with my student grade as well as my better paints. But I also realize that the lightfast claims of many brands are just using lightfast numbers of pigments determined years ago and claimed by the manufacturers of the pigments, which maybe are not even tested in the medium of use - watercolor is much less lightfast than acrylic for instance, because the pigments are spread so thinly. Only a few companies really do testing of their materials. I’ve learned enough to guess which ones will be truly lightfast, which companies I trust, and which ones are iffy at best, and make my choices accordingly. Plus I like to do my own testing- you are correct that environment has as much to do with permanence as just UV exposure. Humidity and pollution can do as much or more damage.
I agree with you 100 percent. I love the creative process and am just as happy drawing with a school pencil on a piece of regular paper as I am when I use my better art supplies. I love your painting; it reminds me of the dove I’ve had the pleasure of observing this summer. - Melissa
Thank you so much, Melissa 💕
AMEN. Also - lovely painting!
Thank you 🙏🏻🌺
I have mostly professional supplies, purchased second hand, because they are easy to replace individually. I would hate to fall in love with something I may not be able to get more of. I also appreciate the continuity and ease of use of many established brands. I use all of my supplies even though most sets include some not so lightfast colors. I do keep track of fugitive pigments, but I am really only concerned if they will not outlast me.
Hi, thank you for commenting 🙏🏻 I definitely agree with your points. I also prefer to buy things that I know I can replace / top up in needed, and depending on what I'm painting I pay attention to lightfastness to a certain degree.
I just finished swatching a newly purchased set of 12 half-pan watercolor paints: the Schminke Horadam Special Edition Floral set, which cost me $105 Canadian from Amazon. The package came with Chinese information stickers on it! What gives? My set of 24 Mungyo watercolor half-pan paints was less than $100. They're from Korea, made in Korea, by Koreans, hopefully. What gives, the Germans can't make a profit from manufacturing their own product in their own country by their own citizens? 🤔 I also just purchased on Amazon a set of Rosa 21 monopigment FULL pans made in Poland by, I'm assuming, Polish workers for $80 plus tax and delivery. Where is Schmincke's national pride? 🤔 ($$$) I too am a happy hobby painter whose modest paintings live hidden away from the public eye in journals. Now I want to get into crafting my own journals. There's lots of videos on UA-cam about various ways to do that; much cheaper than buying Arche's blocks because some UA-camr says you absolutely must use the best of the best, i.e. the most $$$ watercolor paper in order to be a real artist 😂 Ha! And don't get me going on brushes😠 No Kalinsky Sable brushes allowed for the vegan influenced watercolor painter. That's now considered animal abuse. Shame on you for not being politically correct 🥺 Think I'll go paint something now to get myself calmed down. 😡 Like your bird painting, it's lovely. Greetings from Toronto, Ontario 🇨🇦
Could it be that you got a Schmincke set meant for the Chinese market? Schmincke HORADAM watercolours were and still are produced in Germany.
@@3534538 Could be? Maybe it was originally sent from Germany to China where someone there decided to make money by reselling it on Amazon for a profit? Do you think 🤔
I love neon colours and they are never lightfast. I don't care.
I also enjoy using neons, especially in pencil form 😊 they are not lightfast, but that's okay 🌿