Investing in professional watercolors: is it worth it? | I bought 29 Daniel Smith pigments

[@PaintAndDrawTogether]

Thank you for making and sharing this video. Have a wonderful day!

[@StasyLebedievaArt]

Thank you! You too!

[@AFAskygoddess]

I purchased over 40 Daniel Smith colors when I returned to watercolor painting. It was a mistake. I now realize that I rarely use most greens. It's better to mix my own. Amazonite and viridian are basically the same color. So is Rhodiumite and quinacridone rose. Aussie red gold is easily replicated with nickel azo yellow and orange. If you want granulating colors, mix a color with sodalite, hematite, or transparent yellow oxide.

[@StasyLebedievaArt]

Yeah, the tricky part here is that you never know before you tried... And the choice of pigments is always very subjective and depends on your own style. Personally I also did some purchases which are now just lying on the shelf...

[@loati94]

I agree. I also think that purchasing colors that you will never use is part of an artist journey and unless you do it, you won't know to not do it, if that makes sense. Sometimes we can get carried away by the pretty colors in the tubes but then we don't have a realistic use for them haha

[@EvaArt-ud6gwari]

A good teacher would have guided you to begin painting with 8 pigments maximum. You learn to mix those single pigment paints, learn their attributes, their chemical families and stay with that a while. Then add another 5 or 6. Paint for a year at least. Then you can add some fancy pigment if you have a reason for it. It’s the color mixing that matters here, the hue of the paint is a fancy way of thinking. I seldom use more than 6/7 paints in any painting of any size because I can get a lot of hues with those few.

[@annettefournier9655]

I love layering. You get to know how much your brand of paper can take. I have gotten several brands over the years and each is different . I'm not a big fan of Daniel Smith on the whole. But Like a select few of them for special effects.❤

[@StasyLebedievaArt]

I'm experimenting with different paper textures now. Trying to analyse and come up with some conclusions...

[@CPAndy-x5x]

I'm ready to invest in better watercolors. What brand do you like?

[@StasyLebedievaArt]

I have only van Gogh and DS brands in my pallet (if not to talk about sparkling colors). Van Gogh is a student grade watecolors so DS is the only pro brand which I used and I'm quite happy about colors that I have. I heard that Winsor and Newton and QOR are also good brands.

[@a.humphries8678]

What brands do you prefer?

[@StasyLebedievaArt]

@@a.humphries8678 as I said in the comment above I used only DS from professional watercolors and I'm pretty happy with them

[@FoxJo]

Thank you! Can you share a link to the tape you use?

[@StasyLebedievaArt]

Sorry, I don't have it. This tape was a present from the offline art shop owner - very lovely woman - when I bought DS colors. I believe that any tape which is made for taping watercolor paper will work well :)

[@normanmerrill1241]

Thanks…helpful and you are lovely…

[@StasyLebedievaArt]

Thank you! 😃

[@Phoyographer]

are u still single? can I meet u

[@polgara28]

Lovely painting! I love the misty look of it. Here's a tip, if you pour fresh paint into a pan like this, you should stir it to smooth the paint out. You can use a toothpick, straight pin or a palette knife or whatever you have on hand. You see a lot of artists form KZbin doing this. It's not just for aesthetic reasons. Daniel Smith paint in particular dries VERY hard. When you leave the paint in a blob, the water you add to activate the paint goes to the bottom, instead of sitting on top, making the paint even more difficult to activate. Happy painting! 🌻

[@StasyLebedievaArt]

Thanks for your advice! Will keep it in mind ^^

[@polgara28]

@@StasyLebedievaArt I really hope this didn't come across preachy. It's something I really wish I'd know when I was new at this. ♥

[@StasyLebedievaArt]

@@polgara28 Of course not! I'm glad to get advices from the experience artists! :) I really like people who share their experience, and, actually, that's why I'm here: I have some knowledge that I think could be useful to others ^^

[@rowdyryderleather]

I look forward to many more videos. I appreciate how you explain techniques.

[@StasyLebedievaArt]

More to come!

[@mroe78]

It was such a joy to watch this video! It looks like you are a new channel. I want to congratulate you on producing such great content early on. You can count on me watching all your videos.

[@StasyLebedievaArt]

That's so nice! Thanks a lot! I really working hard on creating my videos but this is super fun! So, more to come ^^

[@adriannabcustomfurniture]

I have a 150 pan palette and 85%-90% of my paints are Daniel Smith! Love them so much! Thank you for sharing the story of DS 🙂

[@StasyLebedievaArt]

Thanks for your feedback! Finally someone noticed the story of DS! It was kinda challenging to find this info ^^

[@evelyne7071]

Your mountains are very nice. Overworking is a problem. Lately I’ve only used one pass, but “glazing” is a challenge to overworking.

[@StasyLebedievaArt]

Agree, and it requires a good planning ahead which for me is another art :)

[@artsy897]

I’m sorry I just don’t trust one eye…

[@khedr_]

Thank you for yet another amazing informative material. I would appreciate it if you could share the cards after they dried to better judge the final color so to make a purchasing choice. Especially the Phthalo Turquoise -Just love it. Before I was leaning more toward the Winsor & Newton version plus, I was confused to choose between the green or blue tints -like its brother Aqua Green. This one - Daniel Smith's, seems beautiful. Thanks again.

[@StasyLebedievaArt]

Hey! Thanks for your feedback! It really inspires me for creating more videos ^^ I added the link to the photo of color cards to the description, but anyways, here it is: drive.google.com/file/d/1zp9rRaDRWb-NxBmvPxslM4eJSlaINTm8/view?usp=sharing About Phthalo Turquoise I need to mention that in reality it looks a bit more greenish than on camera. I have an analogue color from van Gogh and from DS I like it much more, it looks more complex and richer, I would say.

[@khedr_]

@@StasyLebedievaArt Thank you for your kind reply. I am sorry if I missed the part you mentioned the image link. Huge congratulations on your new colors. Enjoy.

[@StasyLebedievaArt]

​@@khedr_ Sorry for the misunderstanding: I meant that I added the link to the description after you asked for it. Probably that's why there are courses for english speakers to learn how to understand slavic people trying to speak English 😅

[@khedr_]

@@StasyLebedievaArt Sorry about the late reply. Thanks a million for uploading the image. Not native English speaker myself -Egyptian, to me your English is perfect already. Skimmed in the video back and forth. It is a sort of reference to me. So, I thought I might have missed that part, but clearly, I did not. Thanks again.

[@traveler2370]

6 or 8 is all that is needed. Period! Your going to be a starving artist in no time.

[@StasyLebedievaArt]

If I have a choice I prefer to not limit myself ^^ And I'm not considering myself as an artist, it's just a hobby for me which I really enjoy ;)

[@patlatour2465]

Thankyou for swatching on big piece of paper which shows the lovely pigments ❤there are definetly a few that I would add to my collection.😊

[@StasyLebedievaArt]

I'm glad that my video was helpful for you ^^

[@annaherlinger6316]

Love your landscape! Can’t wait to see more!

[@StasyLebedievaArt]

Thank you so much!

[@janelloyd7601]

Lovely video. Thank you

[@kateryna_polovyk]

Such a beautiful landscape!

[@marlbboro8091]

I loved loved loved the step by step instructions on the painting itself. Appreciated the history of Daniel Smith Seattle, in my own backyard . I do love them but have jumped to the other side of the world and fallen in love with Rosa Gallery 😛 Edit: just realized you are in Ukraine from another video. Lol didn’t realize that when I commented on Rosa Gallery. ❤️❤️

[@StasyLebedievaArt]

Thanks for your feedback! I'm from Ukraine, had to relocate because of the war. Never heard about Rosa Gallery watercolors 🙈

[@marlbboro8091]

@@StasyLebedievaArt OMG what???? 🤣🤣🤣 everyone in the US raves about them. Made in Ukraine. Hmmm we need some investigation 🤣🤣

[@StasyLebedievaArt]

@@marlbboro8091 really? That's so nice! I'm proud for our producers 😀

[@StasyLebedievaArt]

FYI if you need to deliver something from Ukraine to USA you can use Nova Post Global novaposhtaglobal.ua/en/ - they are extremely good and are the most popular Ukrainian delivery. Don't really think they have pick-up points in USA (for now), but their site says they deliver there. Last time they delivered me a package on Saturday to my apartments. In Germany! In a first week after New Year.

[@christineharvey7167]

Ank you for the information the painting is gorgeous

[@StasyLebedievaArt]

I'm glad you like it ^^

[@joykruczay]

Great video I am glad I found you. People love reviews and color comparisons. An video about each color and how it mixes with others would be very welcome! Small suggestion - you have so much great information that is would help if you talked a little more slowly. Best of luck with your channel.

[@StasyLebedievaArt]

Thanks a lot for your feedback! I'm thinking about making a video about the basics of the color theory. That's exactly about how colors mixing with each other. At this moment it's just plans for future videos but I'm sure I'll find time for it ^^

[@joykruczay]

@@StasyLebedievaArt Thanks for the speedy, gracious reply. I meant about how the Daniel Smith pigments, in particular, mix with each other. And I forgot to tell you how nice your painting was - very fresh looking and appealing.

[@StasyLebedievaArt]

@@joykruczay Yep, I got your point. It's very close to what I want to do :) Why I want to do it on the background of color theory is that because from my opinion, to just look how I mix pigments on paper will be boring. I want to add more value to this mixing process ^^

[@GregJorgo]

I think what you showed, the various colours and then your landscape, were simply great. Thankyou!

[@CrystalAura07]

I have over 64 colors. Love Daniel Smith watercolor.

[@miguelitaczap4230]

promo sm

[@StasyLebedievaArt]

Sorry, I didn't get what you mean

[@maryannknox7158]

AGallo is my watercolor paints of choice all I use

[@realreikirealliferealspiri9637]

98% of my paint is DS, and I love them. I have about 85 of their colors, and some colors are better than others.

[@StasyLebedievaArt]

Which colors are in your top list? :)

[@ginabadeaux9319]

good morning ,i love many brands of paints ,i have a small collection of these paints they are very nice ,i watch the live shows with john cogley it is a good show.this was a beautiful painting great job,thank you

[@StasyLebedievaArt]

Thanks for your feedback! ^^

[@Zinginaround1]

Your painting was lovely - if that was over worked you will have to point it out, looked perfect to me

[@StasyLebedievaArt]

Thanks :) No, this painting is fine, but the next one - kzbin.info/www/bejne/mGfVdndnpKmIppo - had some troubles with overworking... :)

[@billdell3051]

love the video But why the one Eye I just blurry my two eyes for the value.

[@StasyLebedievaArt]

I'm glad you liked it :) Sorry, I didn't get your question...

[@robineliason7850]

My set of watercolors is a mix of Daniel Smith and M Graham and I love them both. I bought the tube colors and put them in my own pans (your results with the M Graham may vary with this, I live in an area with 8-15% average humidity and have no trouble with them solidifying). They are both fantastic, vivid colors, and i like the fact that the Daniel Smith are non-toxic. I, too have been most delighted with them. Thank you for this video.

[@StasyLebedievaArt]

M Graham? Never heard about them. Will google it, thanks ^^

[@robineliason7850]

@@StasyLebedievaArt They are another American made brand, out of California I believe, very highly pigmented. I absolutely love them.

[@lisawhitney4788]

Loved your painting!

[@StasyLebedievaArt]

Thank you! 😊

[@mlaiuppa]

Yes. Yes they are. Also buying the best paper you can afford and a good quality brush. You are only as good as your tools.

[@StasyLebedievaArt]

Can't say I agree. From my perspective a truly good professional can produce quality work with any supplies available. The point of professional ones is to make our work easier, to extend a variety of available techniques. It's like a better camera won't make you a better photographer, but if you are, it gives you wider areas of creativity. Same about art supplies ^^

[@mlaiuppa]

@@StasyLebedievaArt But if you are not a professional photographer, an inferior camera stunts your ability to advance beyond a certain point. It is the same with musical instruments. You will never attain symphony level if you continue to use a cheap student grade violin or trumpet. Yes, a talented artist that has mastered their craft can use cheap materials and still make them look good. But it is difficult and frustrating to try to attain that level of skill when you are working with cheap student grade paint, paper and brushes.

[@StasyLebedievaArt]

Agree, to get to the new level you'll need better equipment. And I really think that it's you pushing yourself to the new level, not your equipment. What I mean by that is that higher level of your work can be achieved by combination of your improved skills and more professional supplies you're using. In terms of playing on instruments... not sure about violin or trumpet but if to talk about piano, the technique remains the same - no matter if it's old "Українa" piano in your grandma apartment or it's Yamaha grand piano for 100K euro in a concert hall. You always can adapt quite quickly (this is from my childhood experience - I spent 10 years learning to play the piano and I had a chance to try a lot of different instruments). Still playing a bit ^^ instagram.com/reel/CvVTgsEoq6l/

[@jackshields8797]

very good video.

[@StasyLebedievaArt]

Thanks :) Glad you liked it!

[@EvaArt-ud6gwari]

So you show us how you are painting those samples without a word about pigments and their attributes. You are not even using them in your demo painting. So I find this a total waste of my time. You need to do some digging here. Yes, the DS watercolors are good but not all of them are. Basing your evaluation on what you show here in this video is like saying that drinking clear water from a glass is safe no matter where the water comes from.

[@StasyLebedievaArt]

Well, I decided that talking about attributes and pigment names will be boring. You always can check it by yourself as I left links to every color, showed in this video, in the video description. For me was more interesting to learn about the story of the company, since this information is hardly reachable. Colors which I used in the demo painting are DS Indigo and DS Perylene Green. But anyways, thanks for your feedback, I will keep it in mind.

[@rebeccahesser8057]

WOW negative Nancy if you are interested research the info yourself this creator obviously did her research on the brand and colors that she wanted you can’t do the same? Instead you are going to criticize a small creator willing to share info.

[@lolaadesina5362]

Miserable Karens have a sense of entitlement like no other Take your cheap arse to art school and learn about colors 🙄

[@EvaArt-ud6gwari]

@@StasyLebedievaArt i disagree with you. The names on the tubes mean nothing and the pigments tell the whole story. It is far from boring. It is key in knowing pigment families that determine all pigment attributes and their behavior on paper, in color mixing, etc. I have taught watercolor at all levels for over twenty years and the thing my students are always grateful for, among other things and in the long run is what i taught them about pigments. Too few artists teach this most pivotal of subjects. Perylene green is essentially a black pigment that is fabulous because it looks green and natural looking, is lightfast, is transparent and staining. Indigo is a paint made of three pigments you can mix yourself and an overused convenience dark that lends very little to a painting, unless you are in a hurry.

[@StasyLebedievaArt]

@@EvaArt-ud6gwari you sound very professional and for me watercolors are just hobby. I didn't want to dig too dive in this video. But I heard you. Your words absolutely make sense. I will think on how I can improve my future videos related to watercolor reviews.