New A. Gallo Watercolour Tubes: Swatch, Comparison & Making A Ceramic Bower Bird Paint Palette

[@Everywhere2]

Random Fact: The DS "Sleeping Beauty Turquoise" paint is named after a particular turquoise mine in Arizona. The turquoise there is sky blue rather than green-blue and is free of the matrix rock that a lot of turquoise has. (Edit: Paint seems greenish on screen, though.) Why I have the need to tell you this, I dunno. The mine's a big deal in the jewelry and Native American art worlds. Loved watching you swatch and put together a palette & hope the heating tech has gotten to you.

[@helencryer]

I enjoyed this, thanks! My paint IS quite greenish turquoise in colour.

[@helencryer]

P.S. No central heating yet, but I stocked up on logs yesterday!

[@allisonevans2544]

I have almost all the A Gallo paints in half pans, now they have tubes too! I am in trouble! Paints are like Pokemon, gotta get em all!

[@helencryer]

Wow!!! Yes, I understand that sentiment 😬

[@rosygould1416]

I do enjoy your videos Helen, they are so informative and I like your style of delivery, so calm and clear. Some people I can’t keep up with as they speak so fast! Thank you for this one on A Gallo tubes. I had mostly given up watercolours for years as too tricky. I had a Cotman travel set for sketching on holidays then in 2023 we stayed in Assisi and found I was just one minute’s walk from the tiny and beautiful A Gallo shop! After days of walking past I had to go in! The ladies were so lovely, let me try loads of colours (Notturno was my favourite) so I ended up buying a signature 2 set of 24 and a custom set of 6. I justified this when explaining to my partner how much money I had saved by buying them in Assisi 😂 And they gave me a free half pan and a discount! I saw recently the tubes are now available but was concerned ordering direct may incur high customs charges so you have put my mind at rest if I keep it below a certain amount. I like your splodge and scribble techniques and I’ve been enjoying your pastel painting demos too. Looking forward to your art adventures in 2025!

[@kirstysharp3765]

It's fabulous to see the new colours with the swatches of similar colours from other ranges, it really helps get a sense of the colours.

[@helencryer]

Oh that's good to know - thanks. I'm never quite sure if it's just something only I like seeing!

[@cola6986]

Totally jealous! 😁

[@craftykat]

Absolutely beautiful paint colors, and I love the tin too. Your videos are so warm and relaxing; I always make a cup of tea and feel like I'm sitting with a friend. ❤️🙏

[@helencryer]

Aww, that's so nice - thanks!!

[@janemcgrath9615]

Such a beautiful set of colours and absolutely love the Bowerbird palette,I’d get such pleasure from just looking at it let alone using it 😂.

[@helencryer]

I think that sums me up... I get so much pleasure just looking at my art supplies!

[@glorioskiola]

beautiful choices

[@Samantha_tookey197]

You’ve chosen some beautiful colours, can’t wait to see the land/seascapes you paint with them xx

[@helencryer]

Thanks!

[@mikeshields3101]

Forgot to add that AGallo’s Potters Pink is the best I have used.

[@helencryer]

That's nice to hear, thanks! I was painting with the palette yesterday, and I really loved the addition of the Potter's Pink!

[@MirandaWatsonArt]

How exciting to get the A. Gallo in tubes! I also love that Bower Bird palette and seeing you set up the new colors.

[@helencryer]

Yes! Now we just need Roman Szmal to do the same!

[@MirandaWatsonArt]

@helencryer that would be perfect!

[@twizzle1710]

I want to see a real time painting using this naturale palette with the additions.

[@helencryer]

I will at some point. I enjoyed using the palette yesterday (and was LOVING the colour selection), but that was done sitting in bed, so not recorded!

[@twisteddyekitchenmyfiberjo4577]

These colors are yummy. I can see them used in all types of applications. Fun times filling a new palette. Thanks for sharing the new palette colors😍

[@helencryer]

Thanks!

[@FaithAnnNB]

Ohhhh… the A Gallo tubes are soooo tempting (aside from the prices and duty/fees to bring them into Canada). I love your selection of natural colours and the additional ones you chose for your palette! That palette is adorable and definitely worthy of some “special” paints! Enjoy!!

[@helencryer]

I was using the palette yesterday, and loving it!! The ceramic is so nice to use, over plastic pans, though I've made it look very messy already!

[@PaulaScardamalia]

I ordered the Plein Air set with six tubes. Haven't made time yet to swatch them and create a palette, but I am so glad to have them. I love A Gallo paints.

[@helencryer]

That's also a very pretty looking set!!

[@dneel468]

A gallo website’s and packaging is just amazing and needless to say so is the paint. Love that they have come out with tubes and I hope Roman Szmal will soon. Love your choices for your beautiful little pallet, I’ve been lusting over the bowerbird pallets but can’t make up my mind on which one to pick. Look forward to seeing you painting with your new treasure.

[@helencryer]

Yes it is! And yes - Roman Szmal tubes would be amazing!!!!! Thank you!

[@mikeshields3101]

I love AGallo paints. I purchased my first pallet last year and are really enjoying painting with these paints. They run a close comparison to my Daniel Smith paints.

[@helencryer]

If I could only pick one of the brands, it would still definitely be Daniel Smith, because on average I think they flow better and are less heavy, but paint preference and painting styles are such individual things anyway!

[@hollyjayde6796]

I love the A.Gallo paints! Your new colours are gorgeous, I can't wait to see what you create with them ❤ Also, just a PSA for anyone in the UK wanting to order A.Gallo, I received a bill for £94 due to import charges. This came with a shock, so I'd just like everyone to be aware in case the same happens! 😢

[@helencryer]

Thank you. Another person said that the limit for not paying import tax is £135. Was your order total over that? I did mention the possibility of paying import tax in the video, but didn't know the amounts involved.

[@hollyjayde6796]

@helencryer I just thought I'd mention it in the comments just in case someone misses it! My order was just over £400 so perhaps that's why. I'm still over the moon with my paints, though ♥️

[@helencryer]

Thanks ever so much - that's very helpful!

[@lylebobroske5172]

This is very exciting. When I saw this post I could hardly wait to watch. Thank you so much. The more I use A.Gallo, the more I like them. ❤❤❤❤😊😊😊😊 Karen from Canada

[@helencryer]

Haha - thank you!!!

[@zenlife1200]

That looks like an interesting mix of colors. I look forward to seeing them used in a painting. I'm just waiting for my W&N Cotman field box, like the one you adapted a while back, to arrive. It was on a good special. Mum uses a mixture of Cotman and some of my paints so she's happy to take the paint pans off my hands to replace some colors she's running low on. I hummed and haa'd over buying this box or the portable painter with expansion pans but the W&N price won me over in the end. I have some ideas for it but I'll see what I can do when it arrives. Post is sooo slow at the moment. I think everyone's gone to the beach for their summer holidays.

[@helencryer]

I used them a bit yesterday, and absolutely loved the combination of colours I'd picked!! Hope you enjoy your new palette - exciting!

[@janscott9151]

Oh thank you for this. I have ordered the plein air set - the shipping is quite expensive but I'm sure they know best. And hopefully Jacksons will get them in soon should I want any more.

[@helencryer]

Yes, I'm hoping Jackson's will stock them at some point, though the paints themselves are more expensive from Jackson's. The Plein Air set looks gorgeous!

[@reneeugrin7037]

Thank you, it looks like a very nice pallet for Spring and Summer🌺 plain air.❤

[@helencryer]

Thanks, yes, I hope so!

[@lacamasprairie]

Thanks for the tip on DS Sleeping Beauty Turquoise! I agree that It makes a wonderful blue-green to include in a natural palette!

[@helencryer]

I was painting with the palette yesterday, and loving it!

[@Flora-v6u]

Oh, how exciting! I really want to buy some but it will have to wait until later in the year. Despite my reservations about their lack of flow, I did in the end buy a lot of A Gallo paints direct last summer and I do love them, they just smell so heavenly. Thanks for sharing your new paints with us! Happy new year, ☺️

[@helencryer]

Thanks! There's no hurry and I wonder if they'll release more colours as tubes as time goes by. Happy New Year!!!

[@Everywhere2]

I have no words. Just DESIRE.

[@lynxeyes3690]

Beautiful colors and palette, looking forward to seeing what you make with it.

[@helencryer]

Thanks!

[@Piwonia67]

I think the new series of Roman Szmal lapis lazuli is much more pigmented than the old one. I'm not 100% sure, but you can check it in the store. Lovely watercolors, congrats on the new set!

[@helencryer]

They do two different Lapis Lazuli. Mine is the greyer, paler Lazurite one, but they also do a stronger looking Afghan one. Thanks!

[@lisaharner3720]

Oh! A Gallo! 😍How had I not noticed they now offer tubes? I have these 12 colors among my half pan sets. Love the tin too! Can’t wait to see what you create from the new palette!

[@helencryer]

Yes, only quite recently! Thanks!

[@MadebyDawn23]

Thank you so much for sharing ❤️

[@helencryer]

Thanks!

[@teekierudite5108]

Cant wait to see what you create with this palette, looking forward to that video!!

[@helencryer]

Thanks!

[@christineroberts6076]

I hope to get to Italy later this year and I will be looking to buy some A. Gallo tubes.

[@helencryer]

Oh heavenly!!! Do they have many shops do you know?

[@Mirrigold]

@@helencryer just the one in Assisi as far as I am aware.

[@mjpete27]

Hullo Helen, I just looked and saw that I had not subscribed to your channel! Well that has been rectified and I am ever more excited about watching your videos! I have had troubles with tube caps on many brands, the real key to success is wiping off the threads after pouring a new well or pan! My new favorite grey’s are Denise’s Grey, Rosa Gallery’s Warm Grey. Take care and please be well!

[@helencryer]

That's very nice of you, thank you!! I'm very bad at not cleaning my tubes, it's true. Though the other brand tubes seem to cope OK with my laziness! I have the Rosa Gallery Warm Grey, but haven't tried Denise's Grey! Rosa Gallery's Cobalt Grey, Schmincke's Shire Grey and Sennelier's Warm Grey are my dreamboat greys!

[@63mona]

Piękny zestaw

[@diadumenos82]

I love A.Gallo and i hope the will product every in colours in tube version. By the way, Nottuno is awesome but that Lutea Blue, Mayan Violet and Sleeping Beauty Turquoise are unique❤

[@helencryer]

Yes - there are a couple of their other colours I'd love to get tubes of!

[@bleuvertetforetdepin7308]

thank you for sharing

[@helencryer]

Thanks!

[@Grognardlass]

Lovely video, thank you. I’ve avoided purchasing a gallo because of the cost and because I’ve so many others but now that they’re offering tubes I may succumb to a few. You may already know of two other handmade watercolor producers but I’d like to recommend them to you: Prodigal Sons in Pennsylvania US and Della Magna in Italy. Their paints are extremely pigmented and value for dollar is worth their cost. PS produces some of the highest quality historical paints and for both of them, you can tell their value by the heft of the palette when you’ve put it together. Della Magna’s paints are a delight to use as well. In addition to these two I’ve narrowed down 😅 my favorite brands to Michael Harding, Qor, Daniel Smith, and Roman Szmal. I also have to stop kidding myself that I’m not a watercolor-obsessed collector with a desire to have every color in brands I love. For instance, that DS Mayan Violet has slipped under my radar somehow, but it’s now at the top of my “next” list. Cheers to a New Year! ❤

[@helencryer]

I hadn't heard of those two companies - thank you for the recommendation! I'm definitely more of a collector than a user, and stopped even apologising about it! I definitely love Daniel Smith and Roman Szmal, and have various other specific favourite paints from Sennelier, Schmincke and more! How will we know our favourites if we don't try them all?!?!

[@Grognardlass]

@ so true! It’s an adventure!

[@Brilliantnash]

Love, love, love Notturno.

[@helencryer]

Me tooooo!!

[@ilonavandertang-vos2198]

Been waiting for this😊! Also very intrested in how they dry (sinking a lot?). Love this brand. Together with deepdeeplight 😊

[@helencryer]

I'll try and remember to mention the drying in my next video. I haven't tried deep deep light yet, but love the look of their colours!

[@jessicastrideart]

Beautiful! I especially love the granulating ones. I think the lack of flow might put me off but the smell sounds delicious from what you said! Which watercolour brand would you say were the most flowing? Maybe Qor?😊

[@helencryer]

QoR definitely! And Daniel Smith and Roman Szmal seem more mid flow on average.

[@jessicastrideart]

@@helencryer Thanks so much Helen. x

[@angellie5367]

Oh Helen, I tried to not buying anymore paint but, I must see what you said about them 😅😊. Luckily that they are so pricey hence I might skip them and will enjoy your painting instead

[@helencryer]

Well done - no, you don't need them!!!!

[@aleidadiaz2261]

Is lutea the brand name? It’s a beautiful blue.

[@twizzle1710]

I knew you were getting Nortorino, Helen.

[@helencryer]

Haha, yep!!

[@Hammertoez]

Oooh I’ve been waiting for this video :)

[@Hammertoez]

Aaaand I’m going to spend more money. You’re an INFLUENCER Helen :D

[@helencryer]

😬 Sorry!

[@kristiofca1]

Are the tubes comparable to the pans?

[@helencryer]

They haven't set in the palette yet, so I don't know about re-wetability yet, but the paint feels pretty similar while I was doing a painting yesterday.

[@Deedeedoodad]

Oh my god I’m gonna have to get zirconium cerulean in tube form 😭 I just know it’s gonna be insanely expensive

[@helencryer]

I think you're safe - I can't see that one in tube form!

[@fionaforrest4976]

They probably paid more than £135 for their paints which is subject to import tax in the UK. As yours was below that value it wasn’t subject to it. Love the A Gallo paints, but will need to use up some of my pans before even considering the expense of the tubes. Happy painting in 2025.

[@helencryer]

Ah, is that the limit - thanks!!

[@twizzle1710]

Lapis is difficult to use with its unsaturated self.

[@alinatr2693]

It's SO expensive😢

[@helencryer]

It is, however still pretty comparable to lots of other professional watercolours.

[@awatercolourist]

How am I not first!!

[@helencryer]

I can't believe you're not glued to your computer every second, purely waiting for my next video 🤯