Are Daniel Smith Watercolors Worth the Hype?

[@artprof]

Watch more watercolor tutorials in this playlist: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bHTTiX2Md9Spf7c

[@Deedeedoodad]

I looove this set it’s literally perfect. And Holbein and sennelier watercolors are great! Both are very smooth and vivid

[@loveandlife4222]

I love Daniel Smith. If I had to choose just one brand of watercolor it would be Daniel Smith. They are just a step above most others. I do have Sennelier, Schmincke, and M. Graham too. They are very nice too! I dislike that M. Graham won’t dry in the pan so I won’t buy anymore of them. Daniel Smith primateks are my favorite of all though. They just do amazing things that you can’t achieve otherwise. I especially love them for landscapes and rocks. They are absolutely crazy amazing! I also have been lured into the rabbit hole of handmade watercolors. I love them! I bought A. Gallo, Ocean Paper, The Art of Soil, Wallace and Seymour, and Lutea. I love them all! I’m glad you’ve discovered Daniel Smith!

[@jenhaganey]

Daniel Smith is the next on my list to try after I finish rebuilding my Windsor Newton - so glad you reviewed it- been sitting in my Amazon cart for ages

[@chaddesrosiers1107]

On the gouache question someone asked... about using it as watercolor. The thing to remember with gouache is... modern gouache comes in two different versions. Designer gouache and Artist gouache. Designer gouache is what most people think about these day. It was introduced in 1937 first by W&N. Prior to '37 gouache was just a fancy word for body color or opaque watercolor. Designer gouache was designed to be uniformly opaque and matte. Which made it great for photographed art work... so it was mostly used in advertising and for animation cells. To make it uniform they added chalks... and small amounts of Dextrin binder to improve the matte finish. Modern designer gouache varies by brand but most still use opacifiers... hence the chalk look when you thin it out. Some brands are better then others, Schmincke designer gouache has no chalk added but they do use a lot of multi pigment mixes to achieve a uniform opacity. (Schmincke also sells an artist line of gouache which isn't 100% opaque across the line, and is almost all single pigment) The other type of gouache... is Artist gouache, which uses no chalk, only using watercolor gum arabic or honey binder with no added Dextrin. They also tend to be single pigment lines. Artist gouache WILL thin out and look exactly like watercolor cause it basically is just opaque heavily pigmented watercolor. It won't move in water the same way... as watercolor will have things like Ox Gall added to it to make it disperse in water (a dispersal agent there are vegan versions on the market as well). I use M. Grahams Gouache.... its artist, all but the obvious (sap greens) are single pigments. They are really just M. Graham watercolor with less binder and more pigment (so it dries faster). About 1/4 of M. Grahams gouache line up is listed as Transparent or Semi Opaque. It mixes with their watercolor perfectly. Anyway hope that book helps someone. Artist gouache, Designer Gouache.. two very different uses. Artist gouache is traditional body colors much like what the old 19th century watercolor painters would use. Designer gouache is the more modern idea of gouache which would have been used by Disneys background greats like Eyvind Earle, and all the great 30-60s illustrators used.

[@noodlecatcountry]

Sennelier makes beautiful watercolors, a lot of floral artists love them. I love M. Graham too, but by far Daniel Smith is what I have the most colors of and use the most. M. Graham is my second favorite, it has honey so it resets beautifully. I actually started with this D.S. set you tried.😊

[@dshe8637]

Sennelier are absolutely wonderful

[@derwood206]

So sad I missed this conversation as I love chatting art supplies, especially watercolor! And me too, I could just swatch beautiful color all day ha. Daniel Smith is one of my favorites (along with Schmincke and Roman Szmal watercolors from Poland), so vibrant and great to work with and there are SO MANY beautiful colors to choose from including great granulating and mineral pigments and rich earth colors! Also its true that M Graham don't dry out and in humid environment, they'll try to escape their pans if the tin is tilted and I usually end up with paint all over my hands when I use them. Daniel Smith watercolors will dry and shrink in the pan over time and much easier to use in a travel palette You will have SO MUCH FUN with Qor! The way they race across the wet page, they have a unique quality and vibrant color!

[@LueckyMe]

I started with Daniel Smith, they are local to me, and have never been able to go back. I've tried other brands and don't hate them, but DS granulating pigments are just so beautiful, as are their entire range. I always go back to my first love. ❤ I buy tubes and squeeze them into half pans so my palette is easily portable. Never had trouble rewetting. Some take more water than others, but can be that way with such highly pigmented paints. So glad you discovered DS! Have fun!

[@audri.michelle]

I’m a watercolor geek and own way too many brands. My favorites are M. Graham, Daniel Smith, and Schmincke. M. Graham for its easy rewetability due to the honey and the sustainable practices, Danielle Smith for their variety of colors, vibrancy and granulating colors. So many good brands out there, though, shout outs to Schmincke, a Gallo, and Da Vinci.

[@McQuizzical]

Which Winsor & Newton are you comparing to? The Cotman or Professional?

[@gertietheduck]

I just wanted to say - I know it’s not really finished (or maybe it is? Looks done to me!) but I am loooving this painting, Clara!I kind of want you to do whole series of rough sea and waves in this fashion and show them all together as a group. I love the simplicity but intentionality of it and there is so much movement! The colours are gorgeous, too. By the way, gamboge is a popular pigment/hue in eastern watercolour. So perfectly coupled with your beautiful brush and to this “less is more” style!

[@artprof]

You're so nice!!! I would love to finish it, but too many other projects that have been sitting unfinished, so for now it's on the back burner. -Prof Lieu

[@parvye]

I mainly use Sennelier because they perform consistently colour to colour and they generally don't move too much on paper when wet. Wonderful for dry brushing and layering! Daniel Smith azo green is a great mix colour too

[@AngieG11]

I have always used Windsor Newton for Watercolours however I just purchased Mungyo paint 🎨 and LOVE the vibrancy. I will have to explore Daniel Smith…just wait for a sale 😊

[@StudioTinidril]

I couldn't be there during the stream, but I wanted to comment about how I have used masking fluid in the past. I made a series of watercolors using the "batik" method of layering and masking: I drew out my design very lightly with pencil first, then used the masking fluid over the white paper first in the areas I wanted to be white, then I painted a full layer of very light color(s), after each layer dried I would mask where I wanted to keep that value and continue with each layer, making blended colors as they layered over one another and in this way I would end up with a full color painting with all these different masked lines. Once all the layers were dry I would rub off all the masking and use plain water to soften the hard lines, sprinkle with salt and let that dry. I really, really liked the effect!

[@lindyashford7744]

I have used DS, but prefer W&N and Schmincke. I also love Aquarius by Roman Szmal, they are wonderful. My all time favourite is from a store you visited recently, Kremer. I do not necessarily value smoothness as a quality, each pigment has its own characteristics. Other people might feel differently! Schmincke are really really reliable and predictable. Kremer give very characterful results. If anyone like to,paint in multiple layers then Sennelier is good. Aquazol is the binder used in Golden’s QOR and they are different, very flowy watercolours. All the other brands us gum Arabic. I loved Andrew’s green palette and green earth is one of my favourite pigments, have to include it in most of my palettes.

[@M0odyBlue]

I try to find brand comparisons for any pigments I am interested in. I have a lot of Daniel Smith, but some Winsor Newton, Sennelier, Schminke, and M Graham. I am curious about QoR and some of the smaller brands, like Roman Szmalz. When I lived in Alaska, I bought a Yarka set and liked it, but it’s not that common in the Lower 48.

[@RJones-tn5vg]

I took this essentials set and mixed pans full of rainbow colors and brown and black. I can make almost any color with the same six primaries.

[@ladyhollman9534]

They’re very good and have the largest variety of colors bar none. I have a lot, and I mean a lot. I tend to use the Primateks the most. I also have the other big names Sennelier, M Graham, Rembrandt, Schminke,, QoR, etc and some Mid level & Asian sets. My U Sketch kit has a mix of mostly Sennelier a few Daniel Smith plus a W&N transparent orange.

[@sherrytelle]

tubes all the way! I love to use a palette knife with my watercolours so the wet paint works much better. I'm thinking the aquapasto might be a good thing to try with the palette knife.

[@jenhaganey]

My main pallet is Windsor Newton - I'm currently upgrading it color by color from Cotman Student Grade to Professional - it works well. I started with Koi Sakura 12 colors - it's a nice travel pallet. I have a Meilang ( made by Paul Rubens ) - it has some fun colors and was pretty affordable - $35 ish - my granddaughter (5yo) has one of these pallets as well I just got some Japanese Gansai Tambi Kurataki - the art nouveau and a set of graphites - absolutely adore those

[@lindyashford7744]

I sketch in watercolour. On completion I might add ink touches with a technical pen or a fude pen. If I draw in pencil it feels like I am colouring in the drawing when I paint. If I paint first it is more immediate. So much in this video! Clara, you mention Andrew R. not being able to get 9h pencils. British brand Derwent definitely makes them, they are very good pencils, but maybe he does not look online for supplies? They are in stock today at Jackson’s.

[@chaddesrosiers1107]

I really like Daniel Smith. IMO their strength is they are a good all rounder and their insanely large lineup. All but viridian dry hard but not to rock, they are highly pigmented run well unlike say Holbein which doesn't move at all nor do they explode in water like QOR. Compared to W&N pigment to pigment its very close... DS has a few standout colors though in terms of extra granulation. (if you hate Granulation probably meh) The biggest down side IMO is also what people list as their strength. I mean its cool to have 10 different earth yellows but its also highly confusing. They really don't need 400+ colors in their line... especially for newer painters who might not understand that Raw Sienna, Raw Sienna Light... and 5 different location sourced yellow oxides don't all need to be on your palette. (A friend bought themselves some paint to start a few years ago and ya they had 3 different earth yellows... and only one blue. Its a confusing line up) My favorite brand is M. Graham hands down... they have a simple lineup of 60 pigments, and its all logical you want Cadmium ok they have it, you don't they have the obvious stand in pigments. They rewet and basically paint like fresh paint due to the honey. I know some people complain about them in a travel palette, but I have never had an issue with them running.. but to be fair where I live in Canada its not exactly insane hot nor super humid here.

[@HollyLart]

My sister gave me some Daniel smith watercolors and I love them so much! I know they're expensive, so I probably shouldn't use them for practice and my student work, but I can't help it. Lol!

[@McQuizzical]

Only downside to that set is the Hansa yellow light, PY3 which has poor lighfastness.

[@Harkart59]

IT'S ABSOLUTELY WORTH THE HYPE.

[@jenhaganey]

I put my tubes out in wells to dry into cakes - but don't mind using a pre made cake pallet

[@SchubertFan]

I’ve used Daniel Smith, but I greatly prefer DaVinci and M. Graham. I also like Winsor and Newton, and have a set of 24 Paul Rubens pans just for fun. I don’t plan to buy any more Daniel Smith paints.

[@artprof]

Daniel Smith is great, but there are so many other great paint brands out there! It's all about finding your own personal favorites :) - Mia, Art Prof Staff

[@LCLand]

How have you never heard of new gamboge?? So gorgeous 😊

[@artprof]

I guess I have been living under a rock!!😂 -Prof Lieu

[@dshe8637]

Remember that Windsor and Newton makes 2 different grades of watercolour paint. Cotman is the student range, They also produce a professional grade.

[@jenhaganey]

Lol - anyone who wants my opinion on stuff can send me supplies too! I will gladly try them out for you😅

[@j.m.1806]

It could be that it's fresh and fresh out of the tube!?! If you want to be impressed try Michael Harding watercolors. They are actually superior to most professional off the shelf brands. Fun fun fun

[@ArtyStrings]

I use masking fluid and special masking tape.

[@rubyfisch5077]

Yes, it's definitely worth the the hyoe.

[@courtenay4130]

Try soaking the tube top in hot water, most times you will not needto cut the tube. ❤

[@rachelreilly5350]

Daniel Smith uses Kremer pigments for their watercolors.

[@jessieg4901]

I feel like schminke watercolors are way over priced and under preforming. lol I think Winsor and Newton professional is better than schminke. I also feel like Daniel smith is super pigmented until they dry down in pans !

[@Pyroific]

the only reason i have daniel smith paints is because of 40% off sales 😂 they are wonderful though

[@curlew-3592]

No