I started out with acrylic paint and enjoyed them for a long time. Then started with watercolor and found the transition really hard. Eventually, watercolor became my favorite medium. Now, when I try to go back to my acrylics, I just can't. I can't believe how much I used to get along with them! I'm sure I could if I gave it enough time, but my point is that I find it so hard to go between watercolor and acrylic. Your first try looks good to me, but I really understand the difficulty in switching to acrylic.
Love how you talk us through your painting and what you are feeling about it at the time. What a great free and relaxed way of exploring new materials and new methods x
Some of those opaque paints are really opaque. However, when you did the opacity test with other acrylic paint brands, I would have liked to see the black painted line, to compare it with the Flashe paints. (Though from what I could see, they did look pretty opaque so maybe it isn't needed.) I really enjoyed watching you play with the Flashe paints, it doens't matter if you don't know what you're doing; you're having fun and that is enjoyable to watch. Especially when you added the other media, the paintings really started to come into their own.
Thank you! I really enjoy the flashe paint. I would love to see more of these videos if you ever decide to get more of them in. There aren't that many videos of these paints and I find that swatching videos are more helpful when deciding which shades to get. Especially when it comes to yellows and blues 😊 Ordering new paints online is like a box of chocolate - you never know what (shade) you're gonna get haha. Thank you for making this video! Have a lovely day.
I agree! That's a large part of why I started doing UA-cam - to share colour swatches, because I find them so helpful myself. I don't have any more Flashes paints coming any time soon though, sorry!
Thank you so much for your beautiful videos! I love just listening to your voice and it seems you are buying the same things I am so it's been really informative since my Flashe paints have been sitting in a box for a year! The thought I had was that the Flashe paint had a wait time of a week before varnishing so the permanence or ability to rub off is probably best after a week. Otherwise it still would be good to know that a little comes off after dry in case you wanted to paint over the Flashe paint right away.
Ok. This is a painting session that I can TOTALLY relate to! Leaving painting 1 and starting painting 2 because #1 isn’t working out, followed by going *back* to #1 from #2 because #2 isn’t working out either… has happened to me on many occasions!! Working with a new medium definitely has a learning curve. In your first painting, I really love the transition from water to shore and the colours on the beach are so pretty. I think the ocean and beach, in particular, look fantastic. Appreciate seeing you work through both paintings; it’s reassuring to see other people share their frustrating projects.
Thank you for the solidarity!! I really hope I do some art soon though, that I both enjoy doing AND like the outcome! I suppose the stretching is good though. And the main reason I didn't start a painting 3 was because I'd run out of room, videoing on my phone!
@@helencryer I understand THAT desire completely!! There are periods of time where I create FAR more art that I’m not fond of, than art that I even remotely like! It gets frustrating, that’s for sure. I’ll take some of the blame though, I sometimes rush too much or don’t spend enough time planning my colours/approach… or haven’t practiced with new colours enough. I need to invest the time.
Yes, I get it - the planning bit can be boring - I never really do it - I just want to happily slap stuff on, hope for the best and create something vaguely pleasing to me! My days of long laborious detailed work seems to be over for now.
Really enjoyed watching you work through these and i love the looseness and textures you've achieved in both your paintings😊 I also like your idea of a time limit to create something. Think I'll have to try that myself because I have a tendency to faff a bit too much sometimes and things just become overworked! Thank you for another fab swatch and paint session🙏🏼
Thankyou Helen - I love the graphic quality of the hard edges in the second painting before to added more to it ❤ Can’t wait to try the flashe paints!😊
I enjoyed this very much. Abstract at times... at one time the drawing appeared to have a beautiful misty waterfall in the lower left corner. Beautiful colors
Oh I’ve definitely used them more than 20% watered down. I’ve essentially used them as permanent watercolor working in glazes and maybe it won’t last 😅BUT it turned out beautiful. It was a portrait.
That's interesting to know, thank you! I was just going by what the official stuff said. Maybe beyond that dilution they aren't lightfast or something, or are less permanent?
Thanks! I was mildly frustrated today, but getting my fingers in was definitely fun! I think the brush is a Rosemary & Co Ivory, but I'll check in the morning when I'm not in bed!
Thank you for this very useful video! The Acryla Gouache is too expensive for my taste and with those big jars of Flashe paint I probably would feel better when using it and experimenting. I have them on my radar now thanks to your comparison. ☀
Yes, the 20ml Acryla gouache tubes are about £4.50, and I got the 125ml jars of Flashe for just over double that on sale. I definitely feel freer to play, with that much paint.
Love both your paintings, the first one is my fav, love the movement of the water. Really enjoyed watching the Flashe paints work together. I’ve just started using acrylics and like them but not keen on the plastic finish. Early days but think acrylic gouache could be the answer, especially this range. Thank you so much for another great vid 🙏🏻😊
Thanks ever so much! Yes, I definitely prefer matt to shiny finish, and I do often like the better layer-ability of acrylic v. gouache, and then on top of that being able to go over in pencil with the Flashe paints. I guess logically that puts them on top of the opaque paints!
I really liked the sea in the first one & the way you used pink in the skies. I’m not interested in trying them but it was still really interesting to see. Thanks 😊
@@helencryer And, ha!ha! I think you’re winning. Hi,hi!! But, listen to your more experienced readers/ watchers etc. I’ve just made a mess putting leaves on red/ green painted paper & it’s not looking good!! So am not a good critic!! Feeling yuk! Hope you’re happier than I am with my results!
Great informative video, Helen. Everybody compares these paints to Holbein Acryla Gouache. I would like to know how they compare to Golden SoFlat because they are matt acrylic paints too and don't claim to be a 'gouache'.
Thank you for sharing. Every painting goes thru an ugly stage. Trust the process. I love your style and especially the first one. Have you tried golden open acrylics? They perform like oil paints without the toxicity. I am saving my pennies to get those. Keep playing! Xoxo
They look fantastic and seem like they have a lot of potential. Do you notice any stronger than usual chemical smell when you’re painting with Flashe? I’ve heard from a couple of artists that its use triggered migraines. One achieved workarounds and continued use to great success with no problem, while the other didn’t want to take on the potential risk. Curious to see if anyone else has noted a lingering chemical odour?
@@helencryer I need some opaque matte acrylics for a project that wouldn’t lend itself to using Holbein Acryla. I think I will try a few tins/tubes of Flashe while I’m mocking up designs. Thanks so much for the way you review products; it’s always incredibly helpful, especially for layering and mixed media potential. ☺️🌞
Acrylic paints are hard to get your head around, aren’t they? I manage my acryla gouache nutrition but acrylics seem to stump me! But these paints look so beautiful and I’m very excited to see how well they carry other media, esp the coloured pencils.
@@helencryer you might be onto something there - I’m not sure where I’m going with acrylics. You know, despite loving the thick, matte opacity of these paints, I think years of working with sheer transparent media that I slowly layer up is the exact opposite way of working to these paints.
Thanks! Yes they do, though I had to go back and smell them to remember - so not that strong or memorable for me. They're a bit like emulsion house paint for walls.
A few weeks ago I bought the Flashe magenta, phthalo cyan, lemon, black and white and have been doing some CYMK mixing and having so much fun. I bought them to use in my coloring books. I found Holbein Acryl Gouache not exactly what I wanted-it doesn't take colored pencil on top very well unless you add clear gesso which is ok but I like the smoothness of the Flashe paint more and it takes pastel and pencil like a dream as you just demo. I am adding RGB and secondary colors this month. I know I can just mix to get what I need but I wrote the companying asking them to consider making artist sets of smaller tubes like Holbein and Turner do. I think there is a real untapped market for them. They are like the best kept secret in the multi-media world. Who knew there was such a great paint for under paintings of colored pencil and pastel?!!
What do you do with your rinse water from acrylics? I’ve been told not to pour it down the sink because it will pollute the sea with micro plastics. I’ve been storing it in old pots, but that is becoming impractical !
I have a large plastic bucket outside with a screen over it. Pour in my paint water and let it evaporate. Water evaporates and leaves the paint behind. Hope this helps!
I use to do the bucket thing but it took forever to dry out. Now, I use a strainer and a coffee filter. Pour the water through the filter which filters out the particles. Once the coffee filter is dry is goes in the bin. Either way it still ends up in the environment but at least in the garbage dump it's somewhat contained and not in the water.@@helencryer
I started out with acrylic paint and enjoyed them for a long time. Then started with watercolor and found the transition really hard. Eventually, watercolor became my favorite medium. Now, when I try to go back to my acrylics, I just can't. I can't believe how much I used to get along with them! I'm sure I could if I gave it enough time, but my point is that I find it so hard to go between watercolor and acrylic. Your first try looks good to me, but I really understand the difficulty in switching to acrylic.
That's really interesting, thanks! Unfortunately I've not yet really got the hang of either!! thanks for your encouragement though!
Love how you talk us through your painting and what you are feeling about it at the time. What a great free and relaxed way of exploring new materials and new methods x
Thanks! I'm hoping I can make something I like a bit more, at some point soon, because I feel a bit negative at times!
I love the textures you’ve created, and the movement in the water in the first painting
That's very kind, thank you!
Some of those opaque paints are really opaque. However, when you did the opacity test with other acrylic paint brands, I would have liked to see the black painted line, to compare it with the Flashe paints. (Though from what I could see, they did look pretty opaque so maybe it isn't needed.)
I really enjoyed watching you play with the Flashe paints, it doens't matter if you don't know what you're doing; you're having fun and that is enjoyable to watch. Especially when you added the other media, the paintings really started to come into their own.
Hiya! Yes, sorry - I thought about that afterwards - it would have been more sensible!
I love when you play with new materials like this, I thought the two pieces your created were really wonderful with all the texture and color!
Thanks so much!!
Thank you! I really enjoy the flashe paint. I would love to see more of these videos if you ever decide to get more of them in. There aren't that many videos of these paints and I find that swatching videos are more helpful when deciding which shades to get. Especially when it comes to yellows and blues 😊
Ordering new paints online is like a box of chocolate - you never know what (shade) you're gonna get haha.
Thank you for making this video! Have a lovely day.
I agree! That's a large part of why I started doing UA-cam - to share colour swatches, because I find them so helpful myself.
I don't have any more Flashes paints coming any time soon though, sorry!
Thank you for this incredibly informative look at Flashe paint!
Thanks!!
Loved these paintings, they had such an ethereal feel to them!
Thank you!!
Thanks for testing these out! Especially showing how much better with the colored pencils they are!
Thanks!!
Thank you so much for your beautiful videos! I love just listening to your voice and it seems you are buying the same things I am so it's been really informative since my Flashe paints have been sitting in a box for a year!
The thought I had was that the Flashe paint had a wait time of a week before varnishing so the permanence or ability to rub off is probably best after a week. Otherwise it still would be good to know that a little comes off after dry in case you wanted to paint over the Flashe paint right away.
Ooo - I hope you get them out for a play soon!!! That makes total sense - yes - probably less pigment would wash off after a week! Thanks!
Ok. This is a painting session that I can TOTALLY relate to! Leaving painting 1 and starting painting 2 because #1 isn’t working out, followed by going *back* to #1 from #2 because #2 isn’t working out either… has happened to me on many occasions!! Working with a new medium definitely has a learning curve. In your first painting, I really love the transition from water to shore and the colours on the beach are so pretty. I think the ocean and beach, in particular, look fantastic. Appreciate seeing you work through both paintings; it’s reassuring to see other people share their frustrating projects.
Thank you for the solidarity!! I really hope I do some art soon though, that I both enjoy doing AND like the outcome! I suppose the stretching is good though.
And the main reason I didn't start a painting 3 was because I'd run out of room, videoing on my phone!
@@helencryer I understand THAT desire completely!! There are periods of time where I create FAR more art that I’m not fond of, than art that I even remotely like! It gets frustrating, that’s for sure. I’ll take some of the blame though, I sometimes rush too much or don’t spend enough time planning my colours/approach… or haven’t practiced with new colours enough. I need to invest the time.
Yes, I get it - the planning bit can be boring - I never really do it - I just want to happily slap stuff on, hope for the best and create something vaguely pleasing to me! My days of long laborious detailed work seems to be over for now.
I love them! And drawing over them is a delight
Brill to hear, thanks!
Really enjoyed watching you work through these and i love the looseness and textures you've achieved in both your paintings😊 I also like your idea of a time limit to create something. Think I'll have to try that myself because I have a tendency to faff a bit too much sometimes and things just become overworked! Thank you for another fab swatch and paint session🙏🏼
Thanks ever so much!! I think I'm going to try and do the timed thing more regularly, because I faff terribly!
Thankyou Helen - I love the graphic quality of the hard edges in the second painting before to added more to it ❤ Can’t wait to try the flashe paints!😊
It's so interesting what different people see!
For some reason it’s really satisfying watching the opaque flash paints be swatched 😂❤
And to paint them too!!
I enjoyed this very much. Abstract at times... at one time the drawing appeared to have a beautiful misty waterfall in the lower left corner. Beautiful colors
Thank you very much!
oooh I've never heard of this brand before so thanks for sharing! the landscape you created is so beautiful 😍
Thanks ever so much!
One of the good things I think with flash paint is that you can paint a lot thicker than you can with Holbein acrylic gouache
Why do you think that is? I think I'll really like painting thick!
Oh I’ve definitely used them more than 20% watered down. I’ve essentially used them as permanent watercolor working in glazes and maybe it won’t last 😅BUT it turned out beautiful. It was a portrait.
That's interesting to know, thank you! I was just going by what the official stuff said. Maybe beyond that dilution they aren't lightfast or something, or are less permanent?
I love the paintings. I like the loose look of it ..def looks like you had fun during the process and THAT is so important
Thanks! I was mildly frustrated today, but getting my fingers in was definitely fun!
I think the brush is a Rosemary & Co Ivory, but I'll check in the morning when I'm not in bed!
Love the finger painting idea!
It was great fun, but my finger nails don't look too good now 🤣
Thank you for this very useful video! The Acryla Gouache is too expensive for my taste and with those big jars of Flashe paint I probably would feel better when using it and experimenting. I have them on my radar now thanks to your comparison. ☀
Yes, the 20ml Acryla gouache tubes are about £4.50, and I got the 125ml jars of Flashe for just over double that on sale. I definitely feel freer to play, with that much paint.
Love both your paintings, the first one is my fav, love the movement of the water. Really enjoyed watching the Flashe paints work together.
I’ve just started using acrylics and like them but not keen on the plastic finish. Early days but think acrylic gouache could be the answer, especially this range.
Thank you so much for another great vid 🙏🏻😊
Thanks ever so much! Yes, I definitely prefer matt to shiny finish, and I do often like the better layer-ability of acrylic v. gouache, and then on top of that being able to go over in pencil with the Flashe paints. I guess logically that puts them on top of the opaque paints!
Quite revealing
And a great product that allows such play!
Loved your video.
Thanks so much!
This was a great demo. I hadn't thought to use oil pastel with acrylic.
I just end up with many media in an attempt to try and sort out each layer below! 😂
I really liked the sea in the first one & the way you used pink in the skies. I’m not interested in trying them but it was still really interesting to see. Thanks 😊
Thank you!! You have a good restrained attitude!
Haha, no, I just know my limitations! 😂
I love both paintings ❤
Thanks!
New to me and, as I’m not going to start acrylic until my Aquarell has been practiced more but, enjoy watching your paintings coming together! Thanks
Haha, thanks! Good plan! I'm going down the 'try everything as fast as possible' route!! 🤣
@@helencryer And, ha!ha! I think you’re winning. Hi,hi!! But, listen to your more experienced readers/ watchers etc. I’ve just made a mess putting leaves on red/ green painted paper & it’s not looking good!! So am not a good critic!! Feeling yuk! Hope you’re happier than I am with my results!
Oh yes, I definitely will! I wasn't very today, to be honest!
@@helencryer But, you at least tried again! A true trooper! As I will tomorrow, perhaps we’ll both have more success! Fingers crossed!
Yes! Bring on tomorrow!! ❤️
Great informative video, Helen. Everybody compares these paints to Holbein Acryla Gouache. I would like to know how they compare to Golden SoFlat because they are matt acrylic paints too and don't claim to be a 'gouache'.
I'm really sorry, I can't be of help as I've never come across the Golden SoFlats before.
@@helencryerno worries! You can't own every art supply under the sun.
My husband thinks I do! 😉
@@helencryer haha, you can tell him that he is wrong.
Love these!❤
Thank you for sharing. Every painting goes thru an ugly stage. Trust the process. I love your style and especially the first one. Have you tried golden open acrylics? They perform like oil paints without the toxicity. I am saving my pennies to get those. Keep playing! Xoxo
Thanks again! I've not tried them, no. I do have some water soluble oil paints though to try out next!
They look fantastic and seem like they have a lot of potential. Do you notice any stronger than usual chemical smell when you’re painting with Flashe? I’ve heard from a couple of artists that its use triggered migraines. One achieved workarounds and continued use to great success with no problem, while the other didn’t want to take on the potential risk. Curious to see if anyone else has noted a lingering chemical odour?
I honestly didn't notice! So they can't have been all that strong. I'm not particularly sensitive to smells though.
Oooo thank you for this comment. I was interested but have MCAS and am very sensitive to smells so I’ll give them a miss
@@helencryer I need some opaque matte acrylics for a project that wouldn’t lend itself to using Holbein Acryla. I think I will try a few tins/tubes of Flashe while I’m mocking up designs. Thanks so much for the way you review products; it’s always incredibly helpful, especially for layering and mixed media potential. ☺️🌞
Oh that's great! Thank you! 🙂
They look really fun! How do you get rid of the waste? Someone told me acrylics can clog your pipes.
I tend to leave the water till the sediment settles, tip out the clear water, then wipe out the majority of the sediment.
@@helencryer oh that’s a great tip! Thank you Helen!
Acrylic paints are hard to get your head around, aren’t they? I manage my acryla gouache nutrition but acrylics seem to stump me! But these paints look so beautiful and I’m very excited to see how well they carry other media, esp the coloured pencils.
Yes - it seems like they should be straightforward, but I just don't quite know what I'm aiming for the final look to actually be, with them!
@@helencryer you might be onto something there - I’m not sure where I’m going with acrylics. You know, despite loving the thick, matte opacity of these paints, I think years of working with sheer transparent media that I slowly layer up is the exact opposite way of working to these paints.
They look like fun, and your paintings are beautiful. Do these paints have a smell?
Thanks! Yes they do, though I had to go back and smell them to remember - so not that strong or memorable for me. They're a bit like emulsion house paint for walls.
@@helencryer thank you for letting me know ☺️ I think ill buy one and try them out
A few weeks ago I bought the Flashe magenta, phthalo cyan, lemon, black and white and have been doing some CYMK mixing and having so much fun. I bought them to use in my coloring books. I found Holbein Acryl Gouache not exactly what I wanted-it doesn't take colored pencil on top very well unless you add clear gesso which is ok but I like the smoothness of the Flashe paint more and it takes pastel and pencil like a dream as you just demo. I am adding RGB and secondary colors this month. I know I can just mix to get what I need but I wrote the companying asking them to consider making artist sets of smaller tubes like Holbein and Turner do. I think there is a real untapped market for them. They are like the best kept secret in the multi-media world. Who knew there was such a great paint for under paintings of colored pencil and pastel?!!
That sounds brilliant! It's lovely to hear of other people loving them - I hope you thoroughly enjoy your new ones when you get them, too.
Also what brush is that you’re using? Te big flat brush
It's a Rosemary & Co Ivory Short Flat 9
What do you do with your rinse water from acrylics? I’ve been told not to pour it down the sink because it will pollute the sea with micro plastics. I’ve been storing it in old pots, but that is becoming impractical !
I have a large plastic bucket outside with a screen over it. Pour in my paint water and let it evaporate. Water evaporates and leaves the paint behind. Hope this helps!
@@jodieelizabeth7592 It does help, thanks. I will try that.
Thank you for this, both of you!! It's a very good point!
I use to do the bucket thing but it took forever to dry out. Now, I use a strainer and a coffee filter. Pour the water through the filter which filters out the particles. Once the coffee filter is dry is goes in the bin. Either way it still ends up in the environment but at least in the garbage dump it's somewhat contained and not in the water.@@helencryer
With acrylics, start with a light wash and build.
Thanks! Does that also apply to vinyl emulsion? Can I ask - is there some science reason behind this, or just personal preference?
Your paintings might be overworked, but they’re still nice.
Thank you! I've got a feeling they're going to be overworked for quite some time to come 🤣
@@helencryer 😂 All in the name of practice!
First!
Really, are you sure you should exert yourself like this - typing the whole word n' all?!?
@@helencryer Oh, I didn’t; I have autocomplete for F! to become First! 🤣🤣
Oh yes sorry, forgot!
@@helencryer 😂