Top 5 Best Watercolors
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- Опубліковано 10 лип 2024
- This is a list of the top 5 best watercolors. And I'll round it out with 5 more that are worthy of your consideration. Like any list, these are my opinions and yours may differ. I'm happy and excited to hear what you think and hope you share your list with me. Don't forget to check out the individual videos for all these paints on my channel. Join this channel to get access to perks:
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Please check out my blog at owingsart.com for additional thoughts on these paints.
Most of these watercolors can be purchased at Wet Paint in Saint Paul, Minnesota - I'll add a link below.
wetpaintart.com
For the paints that Wet Paint does not carry, you can find those on Amazon at:
Mission watercolors:
amzn.to/2p2S16t
Turner watercolors:
amzn.to/2ppZlvM
American Journey watercolors:
www.cheapjoes.com/american-jou...
Senellier watercolors:
amzn.to/2qmJNdB
Aquafine Watercolors:
amzn.to/2qmVJvJ
Check out Steve over at Mind Of Watercolor: / mindofwatercolor
Credits:
Video production and content: Marty Owings and in this case, some of Peter's work as well.
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I buy all the materials I review on the channel unless otherwise stated. I strive to be fair to every product, however my first responsibility is to the Viewers and Artists who watch and support this channel. - Marty Owings - Навчання та стиль
Good list Marty! I agree with the inclusions. I might order them slightly different but when you get to the top 10 or so I don't think order is all that important. Its no secret that I'm an M. Graham guy. I suppose some of that comes from my knowledge of Art Graham the founder and his reputation for shopping around for the best pigments. I got to talk to him face to face last year and his passion for paint making was impressive. Just feel like its the best paint I've ever used. Love the honey formulation too! All that said I can't really argue with any of your picks. American Journey is an interesting group I thought about trying. I've read a few places that they are actually made by DaVinci which we both agree is top notch.
The Mind of Watercolor I replied that M. Graham was your favorite before I read the comments. I agree with you. Great list. M. Graham are my favorite as well.
Hi Steve - Thanks for the note my friend. It's a little tough putting together any list like this, but I knew your M. Graham's would be on the list, but just where on that list was a tough choice. It was hard to edge them out of the top 5, because they are fantastic. So I looked up David Mitchell, no relation, and WOW. That guy is a Master, no doubt about that. I love his style and you're right it reminded me of Wyeth. Art Graham sounds like a guy with a passion and that's who I want making my paints. All the best Steve. Talk to you soon. ~Marty
I would love to try the m grahams, if only to see if they really are that "even" on paper. I like to controll my paints a bite more wich is why I Mix my schmincke often with yarka aka white nights. Pple call me nuts for not liking granulation that much. But yes well that's just me,lol. For that reason I like perusian over ultramarine with a hint of paynes grey in it etc,grin. That's what you get when you paint a full year with cotmans before updating I guess,hahaha. Unfortunately M Grahams doesn't sell in the netherlands. So if they read along here: Guys get that Contract with the dutch already. I have been drooling for months now :P :P
I agree. M. Graham is my top one as well!
I agree with liking only some slight granulation. I think with me, it's a matter of control. Maybe when I get more practice, I will like granulating paints more.
Ok, now you've done it! 😉
Since you begged the question and I don't really plan to do an episode like this myself, I'll chime in. My top 5:
M. Graham
Daniel Smith
DaVinci
Maimeri Blu
Sennelier
Honorable Mention: Holbein, Mission Gold, Schmincke, American Journey, Winsor & Newton Pro, Qor
For what its worth...
Fun episode Marty, thanks!
That's a pretty sweet list my friend. But dropping Schmicnke out of the top five... I don't know man. :-) I haven't tried the Maimeri Blu yet, I'm really looking forward to it, especially if it's in your top five. Thanks for weighing in Steve, I am thankful. ~Marty
Hahah! I knew that would get your attention. Honestly, I just don't have the experience with Schmincke you have and the high price I think is just due to distributor availability over in the US. I know they are good paints though. As I said once you get into the top 10 or so you're in pretty good company and its hard to go wrong.
I need to make a road trip to see you so we can hang out and film a few videos.
That'd be fun!
I second that collaboration! 👍💕🎨
When I have trouble sleeping or I'm feeling a little anxious, painting with my beautiful colors grounds me and excites me at same time. Color is magical. Thanks for all time and effort you put into helping everyone. I love your gentleness.
Thank you so much for this. I bought water mixable oil paints a year ago because I thought that oil was the way to go. I didn't want to deal with the strong fumes and clean up, so I decided on the water mixable. Well, I hated them so they are in my closet. I share this because I have never liked watercolor because I thought they were all wishy washy transparent. I like vibrant colors. I had no idea there was such variety, so I'm going to try one of these brands you recommended. Watercolor might be my answer after all. No fumes, easy clean-up I imagine. Thanks again!
So happy your channel is growing! Thinking about starting water colours, so thank you! I know i can trust your channel!
Hi Ruby - Thank you for the kind note. I think you should start using them, they are awesome. :-)
I love Sennelier! I got the Test Pack a while back (such a bargain, and I encourage anyone who wants to try Sennelier to get it), and I have just invested in a dozen more tubes. Waiting for all the beautiful new colours to arrive!
I looooove those markers. I have them and working on building up a Daniel Smith set alongside them. The markers are really good for travel.
ooh someone trying to start a fight!
*sips tea and sits down to watch
Marie Muzeizm LOL.
Hi Marty, as always your suggestions are top notch. Thanks for doing all the hard work and research.
Thank you for watching Carole.
Thanks Marty. Good list and beautiful illustrations/demos
Thank you David, much appreciated.
Thank for this, Marty. Great to see so many paints! My top 5 would be (after 40 plus years painting in the watercolor medium) :
1) Winsor and Newton Artists 2) Daniel Smith 3) St. Petersburg 4) Sennelier 5) Maimeri Blu
Those are excellent choices and superb paints.
I am new but have purchased a set of Mission Gold watercolors and I'm very happy with them. Your review of them and the great price I got on Amazon made me feel good about it. I enjoy your videos and thanks for all the great information you share.
Thank you Linda - I hope they work well for you.
I love that you include Van Gogh paints in your list because I think they are pretty awesome and good value for the price.
Hi Elga - That was actually a mistake and I meant to put Rembrandt's in that spot. I like Van Gogh, but they weren't in my original top ten. I am sorry about the confusion and hope you'll forgive me. ~Marty
Thank you! I am currently fascinated with watercolors and this was very helpful.
For sure and thanks for watching Becky. ~Marty
Marty you are right! I bought the Sennelier 12 tube set and I love them!
Great to hear. They are excellent.
YAY! My 3 favorites are in the top 3: Sennelier, Daniel Smith, and Schmincke! Thanks, Marty!
:-)
Mr. Owings, that was so fun! My cousin is on a European tour and headed to Germany with a goal of bringing back some Schminkes for me to try!! I'll be excited to compare and test. Thank you for your video period I always give you a thumbs up before I even start watching !
What a great list. Loved this video. Your paintings are amazing! Thanks for taking the time to do this.
Thank you Anita.
Fantastic review and comparison, Marty! Those Winsor and Newton watercolour markers keep playing on my mind, I think they'd be such a fantastic set (paired with a water brush) to take along for a short break somewhere... They are so tempting!
Thanks Claudia. I think you'd really enjoy the W&N markers and yes, paired up with a water brush, they are delightful. ~Marty
Thank you so much for your great reviews! I love how unassuming and honest you are with all of the products, and it's been really helpful for someone like me who didn't know much but sort of just jumped in head first.
This video (and your original Holbein review) convinced me to buy Holbein as my first artist grade set, and I've been in love with it ever since. Eventually, I hope to be able to try the other brands as well. :)
That's great to hear and thank you for taking the time to drop me a kind note.
I'm sure that someone has mentioned here in the comments already about DaVinci paints made in the US. My experience with those has been really good. Holbein is my go to, so to speak, along with Windsor & Newton and DaVinc.
I've use several from the list and agree with you that many of the choices are absolutely fantastic to work with. The M. Graham's are truly amazing in quality, consistency, and just the experience of painting with them is an absolute joy.
Thanks for the video! Nicely done. And thanks for sharing your personal works! Beautiful stuff Marty!
i love the horadam-paints. amazing quality. 🎨💕 cool video!
Great video! Thanks for yet another informative video I can send students to. I get this question on my videos and in my social media from time to time. I’ll refer people to this. Haha Daniel Smith is my favorite and Schmincke. I just stumbled across a nice rare Schmincke paintbox and just posted a video about it. The 16 half pan heavy box. I wanted to advertise it for people but I can’t find them again and can’t remember the chain of links I went down to come across it.
Very usefull video. I use the Van Gogh I got as a student so yeah.. student grade probably. I also have some Sakura koi and one Danie smith which was dissapointing. The sennelier looks interesting and I’m curious about the W&N marker! I use an eco line marker and I live to replace it with a better one. You are not the only one to favour Schmincke! Thank you for this video..
Thanks so much! " Use them like you just don't care". Love that!
Thanks great review, I enjoy your down to earth open approach and no waffle. I like holbein and w+n paints. I'm in Australia and the others are too expensive for me.
I am in Perth, Australia and find Buying Daniel Smith, White Nights incredibly expensive. I am currently using some Winsor & Newton and Kor-I-Nor
The Sennelier paints truly sing, that's the most apt description of them I've ever heard :)
Great top 10! Are the watercolor markers refillable?
Eve Bolt - Bolt's Vault the Sennilier are gorgeous paints he?
Eve Bolt - Bolt's Vault , Eve The Windsor and Newton are officially not refillable, but i tried and I could refill one 😊 je les adore, j'ai les Tombow, les Zig clean Brush, ils sont tous excellents mais les W&N, on dirait qu'ils sortent du tube directement !
Allo Chrissie! :D
Bon à savoir, merci! Je préfère les trucs qui ne finissent pas à la poubelle quand ils sont terminés, alors c'est génial s'il y a une façon de les remplir quand même! :D
Oh, veuillez partager en anglais comment recharger ces.
I like Sennelier a lot too. But I have no idea exactly why, because I can not honestly claim they top in any technical way (other than that their pigment selection is very modern and competent). Sennelier are just enjoyable to paint with for me. I'm fine with being personally biased :) .
Very good list Marty. I am also a huge Daniel Smith fan with Sennelier being my 2nd favorite....i just love the glow of those. I have not yet tried M. Graham but would like to. Thanks for posting this!
Hi Alicia - Hard to go wrong with any of those. ~Marty
Thank you so much for the summary review of your best watercolor paint! I have choose to use Sennelier after see your review last year and it's don't make me disappoint since there. And Holbein also great too! Schmincke and Daniel need time to got familiar with.
Just a little questions, is Lukas worth to top 10 in your choose? I have seen them sale in incredible price at Jerry and refer to a friend but he still hesitate to invest large sum in them.
Thank again for all!
Hi Han - Thanks for the notes. I think Lukas are worth that for sure. IF you can find them cheap you should buy them. ~Marty
Oh wow, yes I love Daniel smith and Schmincke because of the variety of mixes, some Rembrandt and Holbein, but I havent tried that many .
I agree with you Marty, I havent used the W&N markers but your top 4 are all I use every day. I may even put the Daniel Smith in the number one spot only because I find their selection more interesting and more lightfast on the purples and pinks. That was a disappointment by Schmincke that I had bought a few with 1 star. I paint illumination on animal parchment so I like opacity also so it was good to hear which companies have higher opacity. And they must be light fast especially because I live in a very sunny country. I so much appreciate the trouble you go to to buy these paints and review them for us.
Hi YB - Thank you for the notes. Yes, a lot of people will have DS at the top and I couldn't argue too much about that. I just happen to prefer Schmincke. I hear that Schmincke is releasing some new colors very soon. I think they've seen a dent in sales due to DS. ~Marty
I'm an addict for water colour s .. I love testing all the different brands too I haven't tried all the different brands but I'm getting there ha .. Nice review!
Hiya Marty, thanks for a great video on your top watercolours. I currently have three out of your top five; Sennelier, W&N watercolour markers and my latest favourite addition, Daniel Smith. I especially love their Primatek set with Jadeite being my favourite. I will get round to trying your favourite Schminke when I can stretch to it. By the by, I loved how you described painting with the Sennelier. Hope you're having a fab week my friend. Best as always, Jane 😊
Hi Jane - Thanks for the note and for watching as always. Ha! Yes the lovely Sennelier's. Some of the worlds best art supplies are made in France. I think you'd like the Schmincke's, but they are very technical paints. They are consistent and even and well, very German. ;-)
Super fun seeing the top picks of a practicing artist! As a relative newbie to watercolor I only have a top 3 brands I buy, but I've never tried Schminke. I may have to spring for a couple of tubes :)
I hope you use that paint Rebecca. ~Marty
great video Marty! I love the idea of videos like this. now I really want to try a couple of Daniel smith and holbein (love the holbein gouache it's amazing). keep up the great work.😊😊
Hi Shannon - Thanks for the note. You need to have DS in your kit girl. :-)
You've done a tremendous amount of work for us. Thank you. I will help us on many different levels. No more expensive experimenting unless we wish to and can afford to. We can also spend more time painting than trying paints.
Thank you very much for the kind comments. ~Marty
I really love Holbein, but maybe the reason is I did not use schmincke. I will try it later!
Hi Marty! Sorry haven't been posting. My Mom died a month ago and you are my first post. I really enjoyed this. I've seen every one of your reviews and I really love the thoroughness and your kindness! Have missed watching and look forward to more. You are awesome! Take care and keep on painting! All the best to you and your family! 😀
teresa b I am so sorry to hear about your loss. Thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family Teresa. Lost my Mom so I know how it feels. Time will ease the pain and replace it with loving memories.
Thank you Marty. Thank you so very much.
Such a great video, this was very helpful.
Thanks for watching Sadie. ~Marty
How do u do the intro???
I've been using watercolors since my freshman year of college -- 1970, as of yet I have not found a single manufacturer who's complete line does not have it's faults... notice I said "complete line"... I've also limited my palette to 15 colors and never use them all in a single painting. Permanent and absolute light fastness colors are of extreme importance to me because I sell my work so it must be archival... when I worked as a commercial illustrator it didn't matter that much because once my work went to a printer for repo if the original faded who cares ?
Also watercolor paints are about the biggest rip off there is... if your paying $30 for a half ounce of paint that comes to around $4,000 a gallon... even NASA doesn't pay that much for a gallon of paint... my advice is to spend your money wisely... many student grade and 2nd range colors are every bit as good (especially the earth tones) as their "professional grade" counter parts for one tenth the cost.
PS - even though I have a couple of "traveling pan sets" I only buy watercolors in tubes.
So, whats your preference sir? Id like to know.
Thanks for your professional advice.
What a fantastic review ! How courageous of you Marty to dare to list / rate such a personal (even subjective) medium as watercolor ! I follow a great many artists on youtube who avoid giving their own personal opinions on this topic like the plague . You'd think we were discussing religion or politics when we narrow down our personal likes and dislikes about watercolor paints , talk about passion.
I really value these types of perspectives because I value the individual minds of Watercolor and why they do prefer what they do . I think if we all opened our minds to each individuals perspective on their preferences , we'd all become better for it . Excellent job Marty , just outstanding !
Hi Tracy - Don't know how courageous I am, but I appreciate that you think so. :-), It was overdue to get this out there and I definitely think you are right about how divisive our art material preferences can be. I am trying to build bridges. ;-) Thanks for the support Tracy. ~Marty
Great list, and very informative video.😀
My #1 & #2 WC keep switching places (Schmincke & Sennelier), but the rest of MY list is pretty much even with your (Daniel Smith at #3). Good list!
Marty! What about the White Nights/ Sonnet,?Russian made paints?!?
Same question came to my mind too👀
They didn't make the cut. They tend to be too opaque for my liking, but that said, they aren't bad paints, and this is just my opinion. :-)
@@owingsart I've watched several videos on the White Nights, only very few of their colours seem to be slightly opaque.
Thank you, excellent video presentation. I value highly your ethics and objectivity. I am a beginner (this stage has lasted years) and I value quality. Have Schincke (perhaps wrong spellin. However, I do not want to pay that much for a button of colour, it seems vanity. Turner, and other passionate, devoted masters, their painting was the main focus, and the money for paint, perhaps not such high quality. I decided, White Nights are of reasonable price and very good paint. It is really the consumerism which is driving people.
Just ordered Stephen Quiller watercolor. What do you think? Any heads up as to what to expect? Thank you for your input to everybody's body of knowledge.
Hi Owings, I am starting to get into watercolors and prefer working with watercolor pencils. I purchased a set of 24 by Crayola and Derwent, I like them both. I know when using colored pencils the white burnishes. However, I am not seeing an impact of the white pencil in watercolors.
I tried to search your blog for a post, but didn't see one on it. How do you use the white watercolor pencil in painting/drawing?
Wow. Those American Journey really jump off the page! I've never seen a review on them. Thank you. I just found your channel today.
Thank you so much for watching Annette. Very much appreciated.
I have drawn since I was a little kid but only pencil ....now I want to use watercolor bcs it's very interesting . Which watercolors should I buy ??
Have you tried the Shinhan paints?
Very good list ! I am sooooo happy that you put W&N watercolor markers on the list, I find these that I bought after watching your review (thank yoy) to be out standing. I am still waiting for more than a month to get my Sennelier at Jackson's Art, they are still backorder. I have around 26 D.Smith in tubes that I have choosen one by one and I combined them with my Holbein (great ! Great ! Great !) and the Pure color set of Mission Gold (thanks tomSteve's review). I was surprise that you did not mention St-Petersburg White Nights, I love them.
I am happy because I never tried any Rembrandt, Lukas 1862 or VanGogh, and you are tempting me to try them on.
Thank you so much for this final review, it is just "formidable" 😊😊
Thank you Chrissie. I left the White Knights off my list because I wasn't overly happy with them. They were too opaque for me and ended up chalky on my work. Still they weren't terrible. I think DS and Holbein would make a decent combination. ~marty
great review in calm soothing voice! thank you! :D
Thank you. Some people us my videos to help them fall asleep. :-)
Awesome video! Thank you very much. I'd always used DS and love them still, but after reading a Liz Steel post moved to Schmincke French Ultramarine to mix with my DS Hansa Yellow Medium to make sap green. It made all the difference in the intensity of color. M. Graham's version of Viridian is far superior to DS's version. It goes to show there are many wonderful watercolor companies out there but each company has colors that surpass other manufacturers. M. Graham stays so sticky in my very humid climate because of the honey binder they use but you have to balance all things out in the end.
Thank you again!
Have you ever tried the White Knight water colors? I heard good things about them before for their price ($60 for 36 colors) I was looking for a good watercolor but all the best one are too expensive for me right now
I live in the netherlands. I and am proud. We make some pretty good paint!
Hi Marty...........Just saw today's Schmencke new colors., and wanted to pop over here to check out your top 5. Not long ago I had a chance to learn a bit about DaVinci watercolor paints. They are American made in a small factory devoted to excellence, in California. There are only 7 people who make and distribute their paint. It is a third generation family company. They are meticulous about each step of the manufacturing process. I know this because I have spoken with them on more than one occasion and am always impressed with what I learn. A while ago, I was gifted a set of DaVinci watercolors. They were striking but I had ordered specialty colors, not the traditional colors. So, after hearing you share your thoughts about getting dot card samplers, I ordered a set from them. 24 colors $6.95.. These arrived Saturday and blew me away with their vibrancy and clarity. I am a big fan of Sennelier and the luminosity of honey humectant paint. These seemed to glow even more than my Sennelier or M. Graham paints........So, I spoke with Laura, at DaVinci today. I asked her about the honey content. There isn't any. I have no idea how they make these so incredibly vibrant without it. However, I did ask about the rumor that American Journey is made by DaVinci. They are. Interesting side note. I did a price comparison and buying the straight DaVinci brand is less expensive than buying the American Journey version of several colors. Because they are such a small company you can order directly from them and shipping is free if your cart is $49....at least in the continental USA. No tax unless you live in California. Win/Win for us all. Great Paint, Great Company, Great Price and free shipping. Cant beat that combo! As you know, I am an enthusiastic fan of your reviews and so I thought I'd share a bit of my experience. I haven't move to Nicaragua yet, but it's still on the schedule. Thanks for all you do for me and all the invisible "us!"
WOW! This is great info Judith. You really did your homework. I love the Da Vinci brand and have for a long time. I rated them (American Journey) in my top ten all-time best. I need to revisit them soon and check out the DaVinci brand itself. I love the story of this company and the fact they are producing really great watercolors. I will ask if they use brighteners and about the pigments when I get a chance to talk to them. Alas, I have a long, long list of things to do. Nicaragua and adventures await you my friend. Can't wait to hear about them both. Thank you Judith for all of your support. ~Marty
Hola... What about Kuratake I love them really rich pygments😄😄
Are Rembrandt watercolors more on the opaque side?
Curious to know what people think of the Australian brand, Art Spectrum?
hi marty, great video and a fab list. going to treat myself soon, but which out of daniel smith, schmincke or sennelier, or perhaps a bit of all 3! lol. we,ll see . cheers.
I'm a Sennelier person and, believe it or not, Prima (I know but they're cheap and pretty... nice palettes too) and Academy (single pigment, transparent) quite often for journaling. Okay, with this list you've convinced me to try a couple of oft used pigments in Schminke. I'm used to the more delicate look of watercolor loving the light for ... you know... the "glow" so DS vibrancy has always scared me. Maybe if I see it on super sale I'll try a tube. Thanks so much for this. You've answered what I've wondered a long time... which ones you like best and why.
Hi Pat - Thanks for the note. I think you're going to like DS if you try them. I didn't find them overly vibrant, just right. As for Schmincke, once you try them, there really is no going back. ~Marty
Mission Silver Class & Shinhan are my favorites
Hey Marty, great video. Looks like you're a fellow Minnesotan. Really appreciate your this video on great water colors. I'm just starting to paint a bit with Daniel Smith water colors and I'm pretty impressed by them though the cost of some of them hurts my wallet a bit so I have to go easy on what to purchase.
Reminded I got a pal of mine to send me a Holbein set that was sold as part of a sketching set sold at the Ghibli Musuem shortly ago! I have yet to break into it myself, but I hope to use it soon!
Hi Christopher - I'd be interested in your thoughts on them. ~Marty
Hi great list! I use couple brands in your top 5 but think I love sennelier most. So happy to hear Windsor markers made top 5. I’ve been thinking about getting them for awhile and would use them for portraits. I’ve never used markers and wondering if you think this is crazy or good idea. Thanks so much.
Great help, thank you
Have you tried Art Spectrum? it's an Australian brand Artists Quality.
Kremer Pigments, Old Holland, & Daniel Smith are my top picks...
Nice list. :-)
I have a few tubes of Sennelier and find them really runny... Would I be able to squeeze them into half pans? I am worried they wont dry enough to be stable etc then will end up with a huge mess in my palette. What would you suggest?
The will dry fine, but might contract a little.
ok great! :)
Thank you for your reviews.
Hi just stopped in after watching some TMoWC and I wondered if you have used QOR by Golden and how they compare to your top ten? I'm really curious. Thanks for the video and share of knowlege.
Yes I have. There is a couple reviews of them on my channel, just search up QOR. Spoiler alert, I think they are great.
@@owingsart thank you, I'll look. Have a great 4th.
A great top 5. From what I've tried I agree that Schmincke is number 1. Holbein is 2nd place for me. Sadly, I've never been able to try Daniel Smith (I can't get it sent here for some reason). Very brave of you to try and make a video like this, and hopefully your feedback and comments are kind!
Hopefully you get to try the DS soon.
Thanks for sharing your list Marty! It was nice to hear from you again. Feels like it's been a while. I as well have my own list:
1. M. Graham
2. Daniel smith
3. QoR
4. Schmincke
5. Sennelier
6. Old holland
7. Mission gold
8. Holbein
9. Turner
10. Dr. PH martins hydrus
Great list. Hard to argue with this. :-)
I love my St Petersburg White Nights! What nice paints for a nice price. I will do further research as I replace pans though and try not to choose any 3 pigment colors, but even still, no blending issues with them at all. They didn't make a mention. They are just good value, probably the best value at 36 for 60.. on Ama! Have a great day Marty!
Excellent value. I agree the price is right, especially if you aren't doing work that you want to last 100 years. :-)
Yo those are my faves as well, I literally gasped at how beautiful the colors appeared. Definitely my top pick for affordability/quality.
I like them too :-)
I'm really surprised that you didn't include Lukas in your lists since you ranked it so high in your review and compared its quality to Schmincke and Sennelier. What was your thinking?
how about White Nights? I do have a few tubes od Winsor and Newton and schmincke, but for some reason, I prefer the Russian ones. They do the same job or better at a much lower cost.
Hi, have you reviewed or used the Soho paints? I use Kremer, Daniel Smith, and Winsor and Newton pro.
Nope. I haven't tried them yet, but I have tested their pencils and they aren't great quality.
I like the Schmincke too... like buttah... but I also Like W&N - both in my opinion are great for transparency... these both seem to react to certain papers very nicely and can be very vibrant depending on the paper ... so smooth. Also Daniel Smith... is great in a different intense way... Looking forward to trying out Da Vinci and Sennilier (your enthusiasm) - thanks for the video!
Thank you Santos. So many great paints to choose from.
I agree with your list Marty , Schmincke is my favorite too . Second , close second Daniel Smith . I have W&N artist grade too , in fact I started water coloring with Windsor & Newton in 2016 but there just not quite bright enough for my eyes , I really like the “pop “ of color to excite my process . Great second or third time watching this video 🙋🏻♀️ .
We live in an awesome time Tracy. So many great choices.
Owings Art you are so right , especially concerning synthetic brushes . Princeton Aqua Elite are a magical alternative to natural Sable .
i liked your top ten .my no 1 is siennelier i realy love these paints 😊
Hard to go wrong with Sennelier. :-)
Have you tried White Nights, Karminsky or Ecoline may be? How do you feel them?
I have and I've reviewed them all Paulina. Search my videos and you can find reviews on them all. :-)
Both of those Prussian blues are just stunning.
I have not had the opportunity to try Schmincke yet, (although I have been dropping some birthday hints), but I have been really curious about 2 recent additions to the Daniel Smith line: Aussie Red Gold and Graphite Gray. Have you tried those colors? Maybe they are nothing special but I was just wondering.
Hi Lisa - I haven't had a chance to try those yet, but I hear Schmincke is coming out with some new colors and I'm saving my cash for that. :-) Hope your birthday wish comes true. ~Marty
Thanks for your lists sir! :)
You're welcome.
can you try art spectrum brand watercolors?
Just about every art store I've ever been to has carried W&N artist grade tube paints. I think availability is a concern for many people. Both Michael's and Hobby Lobby carry them and you can get a tube with 40% off coupon (can print out and use one coupon daily) so you can build up a set of the best colors affordably and have plenty of paint to fill up your pans.
Those coupons help a lot. That's how I built up a nice selection of quality brushes, and I even bought a couple of easels with them.
Schminke is my favorite brand of watercolors though. I like Van Gogh paints also.
Great tips. Thank you~
finally you made this video because i've been wondering, after watching most of your product reviews, what brand is your favorite. I agree about the ''lightfastness'' opinion. thank you for the great video as always ;)
Thank you Kristal and thanks for watching.
Have you tried out the Pebeo tube watercolors? I'm eager to find out what people feel about them.
Not yet, but it's on my list.
Guess American Journey are really Da Vinci? Know this post is older but the Renesans available on Etsy (Mind of Watercolor has talked about them), from Poland, inexpensive and honey-based, look interesting.
Really appreciate this informative video..GREAT STUFF Marty
You and everyone rave about Schmincke...what is it about Schmincke that makes it so suprerior...whats all the hype about????..they're so expensive..is it worth the cost???
Secondly what are your thoughts on the QOR Watercolors by Golden
Hi Rodney - Thanks fro the questions. Schmincke is a great paint for several important reasons - it is extremely consistent, meaning you get the same great paint EVERY time, tube or pan. It is also very lightfast and the pigments are very finely ground which makes the paints disperse very well. It is also very transparent in the transparent colors range. The quality control at the Schmincke workshop is outstanding and so they just make really, really great paint. They are expensive, but they are worth every penny in my experience. I use them ALL the time.
Qor is outstanding paint as well. Originally made for painting restoration, or used mostly in restoration, I love them for their permanence and bright colors. I have several sets and I use them often.
Hope this helps answer your questions.
Marty
What about Ph martin Hydrus watercolours? U said that dey were best watercolours u happened to use so far?
Great to see what you guys say about the paints ... I'm rather new to watercolor so it's nice to see reviews of paints I've never tried yet. Those French paints sound interesting.... I want to paint love (-:
Can you tell me about my Da Vinci paints ?? Have you tried them? What Ya think? For me they seem too have fine pigments and are very ... sort of creamy and nice too paint with. The best on my small list that I've used so far.
Hi Todd - Yes, I have tried the DaVinci paints and they are the same as American Journey (made by the same place) They are excellent. I rated them in my top 10 all-time.
Please make a 2023 version of your top choices. Say top 10 and another bonus 5 this time. 😊
I should update this, it’s been a minute.
@@owingsart we're already excited. 😊
what are your thoughts on rembrandt? did you not include it on the list because of the value?
where i lived, 15 ml of daniel smith cost around 12 - 30 usd, while 20 ml of rembrandt cost around 8 - 10 usd depending on the series.
I actually screwed this up. I meant to put Rembrandt in and leave Van Gogh out. I mixed them up on my cards and so that's why you see Van Gogh and not Rembrandt. Sorry about that. ~Marty
I personally like davinci better than Rembrandt.
Do you have any feedback you could lend on Maimeriblu paints, and/or the Daler Rowney professional "Artists" line? It's difficult to judge from all I've so far seen...and am about to decide my first tube paints...that will work quite well with ink drawings... any help would be appreciated. Thanks...
Hi Lisa - Maimeriblu are definitely a step up from Daler Rowney in my experience. If you are looking for a good watercolor paint, in the tube, that will not break the bank, you might want to consider American Journey or Royal Talens. However, if you want to start with the very best - I recommend Schmincke Horadam or Daniel Smith.
Hope that helps.
I gotta say my top favorite is Schmincke too. Then Winser & Newton, Holbein, M Graham, and 5 is Daniel Smith. I would put Sennelier down to number 6 for me. I have QoR also and those are behind Sennelier. I actually like using my M Graham with the Sennelier because they are both made with honey. I have tried several brands. Looks like you have tried more than I have. Thanks for sharing!
Goof list and I like your top ten.
Nice job Marty! M.Graham's are my favorite watercolors :)
:-) Number one on a lot of peoples list. ~Marty
Marty I cant but help admiring the plastic containers holding brushes. Is that the ones we get from Auto Zone with Bungy Cables My concern is the brushes would touch each other or side of container. Please give me advice
Hi Vincent - Sure thing, but I'm not sure which you are referring to? Can you give me a time marker in the video or a clue to where you saw these containers?
Hold On are you & Steve going together again? Love ya both
hello @OwingsArt i just want to ask you if have you tried using SAKURA MAT WATERCOLORS 24'S IN BLUE PACKAGE? i wish i could see a review of it from your list thank you 😃☺
I haven't tried them yet.
I was using Talens Rembrandt for many years n' sometimes Talens Van Gogh ones for sketching etc. Both were nice; Rembrandt ones were too durable with good colors and Van Gogh ones were really fast with brush. But 2 weeks before i've decided to try Schmincke Horadam tablets; omg! Still cannot believe the difference! That lightfastness is more than amazing and no need to mention the vibrant colors! If u r a professional artist or serious on your watercolor art; go for Horadam, believe me u won't be disappointed! (btw great list!)
I totally agree with you sir. :-)