Are Dollar Tree Watercolors Worth $1? Swatching, Mixing & Real Time Painting Tutorial!

The things I do for my viewers...
Today we are going to put dollar tee watercolor tempera paint to the test. This set of 5 tubes was $1. It contained a primary red, yellow, and light blue as well as black and white. The paints came out of the tubes with a full-body consistency and had no binder separation and surprisingly no oder either, for a buck, not bad.
Pros:
Price
Availability (all 3 dollar trees went to carried these)
Non toxic
Good consistency
Easy to use
Mixed fairly well (weak blue made getting vibrant blues and purples a challenge tho, I wish it was a more deep and saturated color.
Cons:
Only 5 colors and 2 were black and white. For a watercolor set, it would be better to have two more vibrant colors like fuchsia and ultramarine.
Weak Blue
Bottom line,
Get this for the kids, they are a step up from children's pan watercolors and they will have a great time using these but I bet any watercolors you as an adult artist or crafter already have in your stash would be better than these.
#thefrugalcrafter #watercolor #art
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Credits:
Video production and Craft ideas: Lindsay Weirich
Music: Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
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[@daryllynn5406]

I love these types of videos. If I'm having a bad pain day or a little down ; I can turn you on and I catch your " I have to create right now". And in no time I'm smiling. So thank you very much! And as an added bonus you are a true Maine treasure!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

I'm so glad!

[@lisastankiewicz1926]

My granddaughter goes through supplies like water. However her parents don’t want to discourage her and she loves watercolor. She’s five. Just found a budget friendly paint! Great presentation.

[@opal777]

Hand the best paints to an amateur and you’ll get an amateur painting, Give bad paints to an artist and you will get a masterpiece. It is all in the talent combined with skill.

[@wendywilson1736]

But we all started as amateurs at some point....

[@opal777]

Mine was not an insult towards others...it was a complement towards Lyndsie’s abilities...her talent. But it does hold true. I have a keyboard that I have used for taking keyboard lessons in my old age. It works fine for that. But then when a guest comes to the house, spies the keyboard and has that “would you mind” look in their eyes and goes on to play...I found myself wondering why it didn’t sound that good when I played it!? Lol. He had started at an early age and so did Lyndsie. We all have talents that we were born with. Some of us discover them early and have them all of our lives while others don’t discover them until later...like you said...we all have to begin someplace. Personally, my talent was and is my vocal ability. I have sung my entire life. I have people ask what I have done to be able to keep it this long...my older age....and I always reply ... I use it. Not just in practice....but in personal enjoyment. That might sound egotistical to some....but the truth is that my voice annoys me. However, I love to sing. Others are blessed by that. I am blessed by the art that I encounter here on this channel. :-)

[@boopeep9670]

The majority of talent is practice and observation. Lots of people trying to cut corners, skipping on the practice and buying the most expensive artist quality paints and the most expensive brushes and expensive artists grade papers only to be disappointed. They pour money into all of the extras, like ceramic pallets and canvas systems, resists and sealers, They fuss over lightfastness pigment numbers and binders. Then they are disappointed when masterpieces don't fall out of their brush onto the paper. Yet an experienced person with lots of practice under their belt can make a masterpiece with literal mud as in dirt and their hands or a stick. It's a true statement, expensive supplies can't buy your way out of practice. You have to put in the work and pay your dues (the so called 1000 ugly paintings) After the practice and you've grown into better supplies, never give up. The great thing about art and beauty is that it is subjective. There will always be someone out that finds it beautiful.

[@kimberlywalker1015]

What a beautiful painting you made from a dollar set of paints ....I am very impressed... But, Then I'm reminded that I shouldn't be because of the quality artist that you truly are... beautiful painting ...thank you.🙂

[@melindareames1931]

Sitting here with my new Schminke watercolor paints wishing I had some dollar watercolor to play with. You talk about having a hard time with using ‘precious’ supplies, I am suffering from preciousitis.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Get thee to a dollar tree then:)

[@darklittlepeople]

@@thefrugalcrafter 😄

[@kathiecranston1577]

How funny! When you started in with the black I was cringing & literally shaking my head. Bless it! I know you're gonna fix it!!

[@helenastanser9801]

When you in a bad mood! Watch Lindsay colorswatch and you can´t do anything else but laugh! Lovely bouquet!

[@pblowery]

I literally laughed out loud throughout this entire swatching. Your commentary is hilarious!

[@bharusiva477]

Oh this painting is gorgeous, whatever you touch turns gold.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Thanks, good to see you!

[@terischiech]

Would make a great greeting card. Paints are great starter paints for that 'new budding artist.'

[@SMCCRADY2]

These would be fun for kids. And at a $1 who cares if they waste them. They'll have fun. This was a fun video.

[@janetlitchfield1774]

I love watching your process - I've learnt sooooooooooo much. They may be cheap art supplies - but the benefits of watching the mixing, value creation and painting process is worth its weight in gold. Thank you

[@kathiecranston1577]

By golly, I'm impressed! With the paints & you for what you managed to get em to do 😁 Although, yeah, I don't think they 'll be too archival. GOD bless you Sweetie❣ ~Kathie in Lebanon, Tennessee

[@sanrinas]

I bought paint from the dollar tree last week and I bought some from FamilyDollar. Thank you for showing how the paint works.

[@3bbbuzzz579]

i enjoyed watching you find alternatives when it wasn't as good as you wanted, i learned a lot. i am going to try them just to keep practicing over and over strokes but not waste.

[@melissalacombe1824]

you put so much artistry into this painting. i bet it would have been a masterpiece with professional paint. a lot of instruction went into this project too. i will watch it again just for the techniques and the furnace noises. thanks.

[@jeankellner4314]

So fun to watch how you develop a painting. Even when it looks like you may have a disaster, you make it work and it looks GREAT! I won't buy the Dollar Tree paints but it is still fun to watch your review, swatching, and painting with them. I have to look back through your KZbin videos because I have to learn to do swatching better. I get confused when I do it. So, I had to laugh when you had to think it through, too. :) It does take thought! For me, a lot of thought and I certainly couldn't do it and talk at the same time. LOL. Fun.

[@margueritepeaden3445]

First let me say, I’m NOT a painter. I can’t even paint large objects non decoratively. I used my first watercolor yesterday to paint a small doily one color because I didn’t have paper, markers or ink the color I needed. The watercolor was from an assorted art box I bought years ago and never used. I was thrilled just to get the color I needed. That’s the full extent of water coloring in my 70 years. But I liked the way your painting turned out. It surprised me that it looked so good for the paints to be from Dollar Tree. I enjoyed watching the whole process. I will admit I fell asleep, but that had more to do with me going to bed at 2:00 am than you. Woke back up after my tiny nap and watched what I missed. My take away is if you’re good, you can use anything and make beautiful art.

[@lindseywarren44]

You always entertain me, Lindsay! I love that you went to all of this trouble to show these paints to us. Thank you! I found it very interesting. Love & Bless xo

[@terrikruse9016]

Thanks so much. I saw them at dt and wasnt sure, tfs. Love the painting

[@blahblahart5]

Your process made me want to grab my Daniel Smith's watercolors and just play. I don't think I'd buy these for myself. I learned to watercolor with cheapies and the struggle was real. It wasn't until I splurged on better supplies that I found the handle of watercolors. Lovely painting. Thank you.

[@ginajennings1664]

Sometimes things I paint just don’t turn out the way I hoped, so I learned it’s ok to make bad art, once I made peace with that I realized I was more apt to take risks and grow as an artist.

[@abbyrivers9971]

The phone would never been invented if the one inventing IT didn t make mistakes:-D. Mistakes give you moments to learn and are a gift to Antoine.

[@ellencha5975]

I'm trying very hard to get to that place. Right now I just get upset and then I tighten up way to much and ruin it by trying to make it too realistic.

[@Kyomiibrown]

He who never made mistakes never made anything.

[@lmrharper3586]

You can’t make nice art with crap paints paper and brushes. Buy student grade at least. Buy only 1 good brush if thats all you can afford. I bought a new brush every pay day, mid range brushes ,I’ll save the best for the professionals. Shop sales , use Michaels coupons for paper.

[@wendywilson1736]

@@lmrharper3586 Don't tell a five year old that, or even a 3 yr old. Don't stifle a young person's artistic efforts by telling him or her that. What might be crap to you is a wonderful tool to a young person. Just let them create! We can all learn about better supplies as we go along. But don't stifle creativity by making someone feel that their tools, or efforts are inferior. That is creating the "haves" and "have nots"

[@threesixfiveart563]

That came out so cute!!!!

[@v.mishrasart43]

Excellent

[@labellaflora....]

This just proves what a wonderful artist you are!

[@sequillawilliams8809]

This is amazing, I couldn't do a turkey hand painting with the best paints and tools on the market 🤦and you made a masterpiece with Dollar tree paint 😍

[@thefrugalcrafter]

I'm sure your art is beautiful:)

[@tynaheadrick-phipps6768]

I love your creation. I will buy these for the little girls in my life.

[@starshinesoldier]

The painting does remind me of stationery! Especially since I just got a monthly planner with similar soft and hazy watercolor flowers. Very pretty! It doesn't look cartoon like at all.

[@LauraMe...]

I cannot believe the paints weren't all runny and separated. And of course with your knowledge and talent art is born! 🤩

[@DeniseBrooks1955]

There’s something peaceful about this painting.

[@annettefournier9655]

Thanks Lindsay. Ah ya ya remote learning ! You could paint with condiments and it would look great.👍💜💜

[@lizbeebe9649]

Lindsay, I think you could paint with anything and make it look great! I really like this painting! You are amazing!

[@antoniahicks320]

Looks kind of vintage.I like it,

[@rhondita95]

I wouldn’t have expected it, but your picture came out great! Who would’ve expected that you could’ve gotten something decent from dollar paints, lol?

[@TammyNewmanArt]

I love that painting, it’s beautiful

[@sondrabrown442]

I was looking forward to your review of these. What a fun video! I have friends that bought these paints, so glad they are worth painting with. Your painting is so pretty! You could scan it and make cards, it’s so sweet and cheerful. Thanks Lindsay!

[@carolshain2163]

Lindsay Weirich--Zen Paint Master-makes beautiful painting with anything!

[@leaht4505]

She does- that’s true!❤️

[@LakerSlots]

I agree

[@teebee9735]

Lindsay can make Art with mud! 😁

[@sarahsfavfan]

I don't have a clue why but this painting to me is stunning! I just adore it!

[@annsowers4591]

It's actually quite lovely.

[@dianethoroughman9541]

You did an amazing job! I am so going to buy these for my 4 year old grandson.

[@PoojaAnand]

I absolutely love your vintage floral picture. It's inspiring to watch when amazing artists like you create something so beautiful with cheap supplies and limited palette. Thank you for sharing such a lovely video. 😊

[@nessiemonster0703]

I’d watch you paint if you painted with coffee grounds!

[@Fg4e]

Or tea. You can get a lot of color with different teas lol

[@user-lv4ok9vo5o]

How?

[@Fg4e]

@@user-lv4ok9vo5o if you have Raspberry Zinger tea, you get shades of red. If you get a green tea, soft green colors. browns come from regular black teas. The longer you brew it the more intense the colors. Just let them cool before use so your paper does not pill.

[@LunaBianca1805]

Some fruit teas got a good bunch of reds and blues in them, too. We used to make these chromatographs with different things in chem classes and red fruit teas usually separate into red and blue hues, you can also get nice natural dyes from onion peels, walnut shells, spinach and herbs like hypericum ;).

[@Fg4e]

@@godslittleartist9976 you can use flower petals too. Bright ones work well. It's where they used to get natural pigment from. Just keep ur finished paintings out of direct sunlight so they don't fade. :)

[@AafkeVultink]

Still laughing on the sniffing. It is a good thing Im not anywhere nar an art store,my husband would be calling me nuts. For the record I totally am but it does feel silly in an store when you ask an art store "sir you mind if I have a sniff"

[@deniseg3420]

You could make any paint come out looking beautiful! So very talented

[@pierrebernard719]

Cool! Will look for these watercolors at my next Dollar Tree visit. Right now am loving those 8"x8" canvas boards.

[@rochestermanagementservice6082]

Beautiful! TFS from Cheryl in AZ

[@ArtistRebeccaLS]

I was just so pleased they came out the tube moist 😆 because real cheap “watercolours” can be dry or binder nightmares Looks super great to me 🤩

[@lilyfultz9702]

I just picked these up yesterday at the Dollar Tree, so thank you very much for sharing this...🙂👍🏻!

[@junebamburg1704]

Lindsy, it is beautiful and I am surprised. You are so talented everything you paint turns out great. I enjoyed this video very much, thank you.💕

[@LilianGuerrero]

You made it look really good. :)

[@julieandrew40]

Great video Lindsay, you really do inspire us to give it a go. And nice to see that it's not only me that gets constantly interrupted by the kids wanting lifts to places 😀 the joy of twins lol

[@elizabethvallely4044]

Yes Lindsay you are right they seem not to bad, you are the artist and would no better than I would for sure! Wonderful presentation thank you! Hugs Liz x

[@theresesprinkle2103]

For Dollar store paint it came out good. Even though were bright it came good. Great job young lady.

[@juliawhite7938]

Wow I am amazed at how well this turned out. Your talent shows in making something beautiful out of these paints.

[@Boobatz490]

The painting is so pretty, it has a kind of vintage vibe. I love the way you always know how to use a product to create something lovely.

[@heidicook2395]

This turned out quite nice. I usually don't like splattering, but it really brings it together nicely on this painting.

[@Linda-qq5mg]

The painting is lovely! It was fun to watch you paint it, and listen to your commentary!

[@lesaseigler5365]

I agree with Jill, it really doesn’t matter what you create with I love to watch your process. You have taught me a lot. It would be interesting to revisit this to see how it holds up, As usual, it’s beautiful!

[@lisawarner7991]

You are amazingly talented! Thank you for sharing those talents!💕

[@MissJay4258]

TFS, I got those paints and will go back for more. I'm new and appreciate the tips and color swatch idea.

[@stanky6261973]

Beautiful wildflowers! My favorite. That was so much fun to watch :). Thank you, Lindsay.

[@alethan1]

It came out pretty good! You’re such an energetic and talented artist. Thanks for your honest opinion without being overly critical. You’re amazing!

[@artist718]

Totally worth it if it is all you can afford at the time. Even though I have the expensive paints. I think it’s a great paint for a dollar store.

[@cassiescreations9828]

I needed this, the silliness and laughter! Thanks for being honest and "real" during a video and pushing through. Amazing what you did with those paints.

[@cloverrabbit5622]

Oh you make it look so easy Lindsay! Even with cheap paints you can create the most beautiful painting!

[@leewagar8579]

This review absolutely brightened my day! You are sooooo funny! Actually, I couldn't believe you were really swatching these DT paints...or trying to! Your painting is terrific and even though I've been painting with watercolors for years, I doubt I could do what you accomplished with these! Thanks again for this very enjoyable video.

[@yelsyels]

Good gain confidence and play paints! Let your hair down paints! I love how you got professional with them! Appreciated!

[@jimflack9462]

Nice. I saw those yesterday, but I resisted!😄 However, I did get some stencils and other bargains. Oh, and a neat little rack for either pencils or brushes. I'm going to use it for drying my brushes. Loved this loose floral. Thanks!!

[@leewagar8579]

The brush rack is great!

[@matronista]

I actually love the way it turned out.

[@ashleyenkey2101]

I really love the effect that the black lines had! Very striking. I won’t buy the paints, but I might try to do a similar painting with the paints I have. Loved this first impressions review with a painting done on the video! Much preferred to your typical reviews.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Thanks for the feed back! I figured it would be ok to do it this way as the paints are only a dollar. I tend not to to first impression reviews for more expensive products because I really want to put thfm through their paces before giving an opinion in case I am wrong and people waste their money due to my lack of scrutiny of a product. That's why I typically do them that way. That said this was super fun to make!

[@yourwhatnotshop_Carrollton]

Dollar Tree or not, you turned it into a beautiful work of art. Thank you for your videos!

[@michaelannfitzgerald8742]

Good pushing through and getting it done even though you weren't sure about it towards the middle. It turned out pretty and would make a good oversized get well card. I'm curious how well they rewet after drying...they might be good for travel. Thank you Lindsay, have a wonderful day.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

I didn't dry them out, I think they would crack

[@lindadechow3703]

Oh my gosh, Lindsay, I would put these in my travel kit. I really like the blue color, it is my favorite shade. Thank you, this is on my wish list for my next dollar tree trip.

[@angelamurphy3260]

That was very interesting! I think it turned out pretty good. Good way to feel out an idea and not waste the better paints and paper. Thanks for sharing!

[@georgesgentry5835]

Amazing what you created with those DT paints Lindsay. Love how you incorporate teachable moments in every video also. Looked like fun too. TFS

[@weirdamy4555]

I really liked the way the eucalyptus leaves (I'm assuming that's what they are) turned out! When you added the outlining to them, I was like "OH BABY! That's my jam!" ♥♥♥

[@marjorieclinton6780]

That was fun to watch. There is hope for my style of painting. Where there is fun there is art.

[@amyw9441]

Pretty amazing what you can do with even very inexpensive paints!

[@bettyjorodgers8552]

Enjoyed it! Thank you.

[@angiebaumer5638]

I love the painting! You can make anything look lovely!

[@lanahughes5254]

They are more transparent than I expected them to be. I expected more opaque look like gouache. Thanks for taking the time to test these out. Interesting and I'm surprised they aren't as chalky as they could be for cheap paints.

[@candicreates591]

Lindsay I think you could create something pretty with food coloring and a q-tip if you wanted. ;-) These may be handy in my activity box for when children visit me with their mothers.

[@wendywilson1736]

Yes, I need to get some, too. Our grands like to paint.I want to be ready for them. I let them play with my paper crafting tools. They're careful. I just have them put the stamps in a dish for me to clean later. They haven't lost anything yet, but I sure have, even when crafting solo! 😏

[@darlenedewitt9901]

I admire your talent so much! I love watching your videos. You always make me laugh! TFS

[@Freedommjw]

It takes talent and expertise to get such a nice result from such inexpensive paints! Probably be just fine for card making. Good job!☺️

[@loke-art7383]

Beautiful painting

[@carmennunez715]

Your videos are very enjoyable to watch. I was stressed and watching you made me forget my problems for at least a while. You are amazing making even Dollar Tree items look great. Please continue to share your dollar tree projects.

[@judithehrhardt924]

Frankly, I think this is quite a nice little piece and would love to learn how badly these paints fade. Great supplies for travel play with grandkids.

[@sabrinamunin2372]

That turned out really beautiful! I’d probably cut it off the block and paste it in a sketchbook since it’s unlikely to be lightfast. Still, for a dollar? Way better than I expected.

[@tracilord4854]

Love this video! It came out Amazing! You are truly an Artist Lindsay! ❤😘 You also make it look so easy

[@ranamcmahon7653]

I think it's quite lovely ❣ You know that saying ' she'd look beautiful in a toe sack ' ? That's what you just did with these paints! I was surprised though, that they were as good as they are.

[@nancyloomis3046]

I would only say that the colors lack vibrancy, but that would be expected. Good play-around paints for kids or adults. Thanks!

[@RijackiTorment]

For someone on an extremely limited budget at least there is something that's not incredibly terrible they can "make art" with. I'm glad the Dollar Tree watercolours turned out so well.

[@Peppermint_Paper]

Thank you Lindsay! Pretty confident you could make something beautiful out of absolutely anything! I will totally give these a try especially for the grandkids ❤️

[@melindahopper2723]

That turned out amazing! You can make beautiful art out of anything! I checked at my local Dollar Tree, but they didn't have those. Not that I really need them, but . . . 🙄

[@teddyzaring2305]

I liked it. I'm just starting out. I'm at a loss of where to start on a very limited budget. I learned a lot.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

My pic for budget watercolor is the $20 melange pretty excellent set of 36. Here is my review if you want more info: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qHe1gGmLhdatjaM

[@cassiescreations9828]

@@thefrugalcrafter I second Lindsay on that recommendation! I was amazed at the pretty mixes that cheap paint set made.

[@sunshinebakery_melinda]

Lindsay...You creat such amazing things with anything you get your hands on! 🥰 You are truly gifted to do this! I like it!!! And yes, I would totally buy these paints now that I’ve seen them used and they aren’t something I would regret buying!

[@kathybrochu3082]

I agree with the previous post...love watching you paint, always learn something. You’re such a good artist, hard to tell the media was cheap!

[@Fg4e]

If you just wanna start out painting or for a child, great paint. I have a glass pen too and I have used it with alcohol ink and Koi paint and it works ok. You do have to dip a lot more than a brush but you can get a very thin line. Short strokes are best. :)

[@michelefrost734]

I'm really trying to learn color theory, light and shadows, etc - whatever the opposite of "artist" is (philistine?) that's me - nice to have cheap but not hideous supplies to use for practice. Thanks for daring to review the off brands!

[@jewelsauls3103]

What a wild ride that was! But I must say you pulled through in the end and I loved the painting!!! Even before you said it reminded you of stationery, I was thinking "I think I had some notecards similar to that in the 70s!" Great job!