Best Daniel Smith Watercolors! My Picks :)

Hey everyone! Today's video is about my favorite DS paints, that I think are worth investing in.
DISCLAIMER: I enjoy most of the DS watercolor range, but being in Europe they are more expensive than most EU brands, and so I prefer to buy more local and more affordable when possible.
You can find Daniel Smith paints here-
Jackson's- bit.ly/2SBaLrH
Blick's- shrsl.com/249w0
Paints mentioned:
Nickle Azo Yellow
Quinacridone Coral
Rose of Ultramarine
Imperial Purple
Moonglow
Shadow violet
Sodalite Genuine
Lunar Blue
Cascade green
Green apatite Genuine
Undersea Green
Hematite Burnt Scarlet Genuine
Hematite Violet Genuine
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[@emmapuchi3442]

Jane Blundell's website is definitely like opening Pandora's box for people suffering of art supply hoarding. Great video, I'd love to see a video on dupes as I'm in europe too and DS tubes cost a kidney and a half.

[@iritlandgraf]

Haha very dangerous! Watch out for the dupe video soon ❤️

[@angelairidescenceartglass6289]

US pricing is only 1 kidney...but hey, that’s why you have two...then again, US prices for Winsor and Newton are comparable to Daniel Smith. Schminke...yeah, that’s the kidney and a half. For the full two kidneys you need Old Holland or Holbein. Or Maimeri Blue. Sigh. So many paints, so little money...

[@iritlandgraf]

Lol I thought the same thing with needing just the one kidney ;) Yup, I know that Schmincke is really expensive in the states. It's probably the most expensive European paint in Europe as well. BUT... I do think when it comes to consistency and quality, Schmincke is tough to beat... Their formula is perfection pretty much across the board...

[@angelairidescenceartglass6289]

Irit Landgraf Schminke is next on my list of “I must try it” paint brands. They have some unique colors I really want to play with.

[@hmichael228]

@@angelairidescenceartglass6289 buy from Jackons Art in the UK and you might keep your kidneys for later... if you're from America... art supply hoarding is a serious disease... and then i'm a pigment hoarder as well...

[@susansacco7583]

I always like to hear you talk about your favorite watercolors. I would love to hear about the dupes. Thanks so much for sharing.

[@iritlandgraf]

Glad you enjoyed Susan ❤️❤️❤️

[@christierella]

I appreciate you using what you have, I'm sick of shopping hauls. I don't need encouragement to make more purchases, I have my own art supply collection problem. I have UNSUBSCRIBED from several youtubers that most of their videos are hauls and unboxing of monthly subscriptions. I live in the U.S.A., I purchase Daniel Smith watercolor from time to time, but my favorite watercolors are M. Graham.

[@iritlandgraf]

Thanks Christie! M. Graham are lovely for a studio palette, I have one of their 5 tube sets and it's great!

[@jesstolley7193]

M graham are so stunning! Their anthraquinone blue is hands down my all time favorite color :D

[@cazkiwinz4300]

Wow, you’re brave to unsub 😂. im still too heavily into the haul videos and research/buying h̶o̶a̶r̶d̶i̶n̶g̶ ***cough*** collecting art supplies... I find it calming! Of course, buying pretty art supplies and actually USING those supplies... are two different hobbies 😂

[@SuperPonygal]

I love your videos! You have such a positive, friendly presence on camera. Two comments: 1) it is very easy to mix Lunar Blue (Phthalo Blue + Lunar Black) so I simply keep Lunar Black on my palette so that I can get the same muted granulation with other colors as well, 2) I was at Daniel Smith a couple of weeks ago (I live in Seattle - be jealous ;-) and they just came out with a new turquoise PB16 paint, Phthalo Blue Turquoise. It is beautiful! Thank you for your lovely and informative videos.

[@iritlandgraf]

Thank you Carolyn! Such great tips! I know that if I ever visit Seattle, I'm going to be visiting Daniel Smith for sure!!

[@juliawoker9554]

Yes, please! Do a dupe video for us European watercolour lovers! 🥰

[@iritlandgraf]

Haha I'm on it!

[@pagewhite8177]

Thank you Irit, this was very interesting and very helpful.

[@iritlandgraf]

Glad to hear Page!

[@PaulaBean]

I started out with the 'DS Essentials' colors - basically, a split primary palette, a warm yellow+red+blue and a cool yellow+red+blue. I also bought a tube of Sap Green (for convenience) and Sienna and Umber (earth colors). 9 tubes in total, and I can mix every color I want ;-)

[@iritlandgraf]

Thanks for sharing!!

[@francesmcmahon]

This is the most sensible comment I've seen re. the obsession with unnecessary colour purchases. Indeed, you can mix every colour with the split primaries plus a few browns (and convenience greens). Your skills as an artist can only improve by learning to mix your own colours. There is absolutely no reason for paint manufacturers to produce so many colours. It's a lot of marketing hype which has no benefit to the artist. Why DS doesn't stock genuine cadmium colours is incredible. Cadmiums are absolutely lightfast, ASTM rated 1 and unsurpassed for brilliance.

[@Jo-lk1hx]

Would love to see a Daniel Smith dupes video! So enjoy watching your videos ❤️

[@iritlandgraf]

You can find it here Jo- kzbin.info/www/bejne/nZiTZmt7aKd0jK8

[@Jo-lk1hx]

Irit Landgraf thank you!

[@62presentosa]

This is great to see! I have bought the Jean haines and primatek set a month ago after long hesitation 😜 listening now to you i totally agree i had the same experience in choosing colours. Turquoise is also my favourite color and sleeping beauty is on my list but i think it is too expensive. Now your opinion is so helpfull! Thanks for the great video 😍 Josette

[@iritlandgraf]

Glad you enjoyed Josette! I wouldn't get the SB turquoise... Not only is it so expensive, but it seems it also greys with time in independent lightfastness testing... While I'm not super strict about using fugitive colors, there's something annoying about buying a turquoise for 30$ and risk it greying...

[@62presentosa]

Irit Landgraf yes indeed! And I see other nice colours in your video. Last i did hear that Daniël smith is going to bring out small sets with dots 😍

[@BaysideCreativeMedia]

Living in FL, I have the opposite envy! Den elite and Schminke and other European brands are really, really expensive here. If and when there’s a Coronavirus vaccine, we should visit each other and do art supply hauls! I love Austria, several years ago I spend several years in Geneva, Switzerland. My sister-in-law is German and even she can’t go back to visit her parents. It’s a sad situation for the higher percentage of us in the US who are appalled at what’s going on with the current president but don’t get me started.

[@iritlandgraf]

Yes, I'm sure the EU brands are more expensive in the US... Better to travel to Europe and stock up ;) I agree, it is so sad what is going on in the US and other countries in the world that haven't been able to control the virus. I hope things will get better fast!

[@BaysideCreativeMedia]

@@iritlandgraf Me, too. It's so sad to watch what's happening in my country and know there is nothing I can do about it. At least my immediate family has followed all the guidelines and we're all Covid-free. Take care everyone and be safe! I will come to Europe for a craft staff replenish when I can - ha ha!

[@laurak5196]

Bayside Creative Media Please VOTE. I've been volunteering for Joe Biden's campaign since July. We welcome volunteers, especially for our call crew. I can get you a link to a training if you're interested. There are a ton of other organizations, such as turnout2020.org etc

[@jerryhall5709]

I think Winsor Newton is expensive. For instance 5 ml cobalt blue for $8. That is $24 if you buy three of them. Daniel Smith cobalt blue 15 ml is $13. Much cheaper. It's one reason I like DS. I live in Sweden.

[@2damecuteUK]

Most the colours you picked are my favourite too, I have them in my palette apart from 1-2.

[@iritlandgraf]

Thanks! They are lovely paints!

[@eyemakeuplooks]

Yes please do a dupe video of your fav DS colors. Especially from van Gogh line

[@iritlandgraf]

Already done, you can find the video on my channel :)

[@ilemas]

Thank you for sharing your opinion on Daniel Smith's watercolours, which I also love with no limits, except the price... I keep Daniel Smith for his "specialities" but I replaced the basic colours, like ultramarine, and those I use a lot by those of LUKAS, which is much more affordable in Europe and offers 24 ml tubes of pretty good quality. Good to know in order to limit the costs (and for the next video about dupes maybe).

[@iritlandgraf]

Yes! I know Lukas, we have them at my local larger art supplies shop and I have only bought 1 tube till now. I've heard good things about them and will definitely consider them when I run out of a color they offer! Thank you!

[@lindyartforfun]

Thank you from Australia…expensive here as well. I am a beginner and love researching. Picked up wisteria at a local art shop…have not used it yet but it looks great. I have a list of Daniel Smith paints I am sourcing and you have confirmed many on my list 🌷🌻

[@iritlandgraf]

Hi! Glad you enjoyed and have fun exploring new paints! What's next on your list?

[@hahiestand]

I’d love to hear your dupes!

[@iritlandgraf]

Thanks!

[@ChrissieNicely]

For expensive DS I would wait for a Jackson's sale and for Schmincke I always wait for a Gerstaecker sale. (I am in Germany.) I have still held off of getting the Roman Smalls paints but I feel they would be the most economical for us here in Europe. Van Gogh and Rembrand are brands from Royal Talens who belong to Sakura, Japan. However, I believe they do also manufacture here in Europe and their branding is certainly very European. - Please keep your reviews coming, I love watching them! Thanks! 😍😘

[@iritlandgraf]

Glad you enjoyed! I think they are made in Europe... I'll have to check! I do remember seeing sets in Japan that I think were made in Japan. Interesting!

[@catbraunwell6450]

Hi. Great video. Thanks. Holbein makes a gorgeous cobalt turquoise. It has definitely become my favorite blue.

[@iritlandgraf]

I totally agree!

[@franciscocorrea9031]

The marine Blue ?

[@kreativeReise]

I think pointing out the colors which are not so good/bad is also nice to see and important to know. Maybe you can tell us also which colors you would avoid?

[@iritlandgraf]

Great idea!

[@jennw6809]

Avoid Lapis Lazuli at all costs!!!

[@ganjazz]

Very helpful, thank you!

[@iritlandgraf]

Glad it was helpful!

[@marijkevv11]

Thank you! This helps, love from Amsterdam 🩷

[@iritlandgraf]

You're so welcome!

[@rhondita95]

Just FYI I believe the Roman Szmal Aquarius Green is supposed to be a dupe or similar to undersea green. Also, Da Vinci (a California based paint company) offers dupes of lavender and wisteria, not to mention a nice cobalt teal, and you can get a 37ml, yes 37ml, tube of paint for about what it costs for a DS tube of paint. They are also available in 15 ml tubes and many of they’re colors in 8 ml tubes. A lot of people really want Jackson’s to carry Da Vinci because, even though Da Vinci will ship internationally, the cost is prohibitive. However, if you’re in the states, it’s a great alternative! Don’t get me wrong, I love DS and have WAY more than my fair share of their paints, but you have to save money where you can when it’s reasonable and there’s no real difference in performance or not enough to justify double the cost.

[@iritlandgraf]

I've heard really good things about Da Vinci, I hope Jackson's decided ti carry them at some point!

[@jennw6809]

I agree 100% and am replacing my DS with DaVinci! And I had noticed how they had some great Irit colors :) I wrote the company with questions and the CEO responded personally. He confirmed they have old stock of PB 33. He also told me they are reformulating Manganese Violet to make it better, that's why it's temporarily unavailable. Their paints lay down so smoothly, they remind me of Schmincke.

[@destiny8967]

White night is another really good affordable brand but they may be cheaper in the usa, im not sure

[@kristiw.1823]

Lol! I've been curious about how D.S. stacks up to Roman Szmal's Aquarius watercolors. Jackson's started carrying their line and I'm in love with the 5 colors I bought from them. And I'm in the U.S.! I have only been obsessed with a few Primatek colors from D.S., that create fascinating granulating effects in florals and landscapes. Otherwise, there are much more affordable, artist-grade, watercolors out there and now R. Szmal's extensive line is giving them a run for the money.

[@iritlandgraf]

I have quite a few Aquarius paints and they are lovely! There's a good dupe there for DS moonglow 😉

[@kristiw.1823]

@@iritlandgraf mineral violet? That's one I have.

[@iritlandgraf]

Mineral violet is a dupe for Imperial purple in my opinion, but Przybysz's Grey is a good dupe for Moonglow :)

[@reneaclark7689]

I also love moonglow. I think it is my favorite Daniel Smith color. I have tried to mix it and it is NOT the same.

[@everartokelli]

Agree about Moonglow, it's hard to replicate. But Rose of Ultramarine can be mixed with DS Quin Rose and DS Ultramarine, and the separation works beautifully.

[@reneaclark7689]

@@everartokelli yes rose of ultramarine mix is one of my favorite for floral shadows.

[@everartokelli]

@Helen Gillis Yes, that's what I used as I have a lot of Quin Rose.

[@iritlandgraf]

I haven't tried mixing my own moonglow or Rose of ultramarine, but I can imagine a 2 pigment mix is easier to duplicate than 3... For me Rose of u. is mostly a convenience color, as I almost always have both quin rose and ultramarine blue in my palettes 😊

[@Renilou2]

@@everartokelli I sometimes use Cobalt Blue with Quinacridone Rose, PV19 and get the same beautiful seperation. Any Quinacridone with a Granulating pigment will separate and look awesome.

[@denaheck1506]

I'm from the states & am very fortunate to get a bargain on DS paints, so I have many. But have the opposite problem, I cant purchase WN or Holbein, or Senelier without it costing more than DS & usually in small tubes only. So I pay the same price for those in 5ml as a 15 mil of DS. But I agree with most of your choices Coral, Rose, my most favorite, Sodalight, I love Moonglow, not so much. Rose of Ultamarine, Cascade for premix of seperating colors gorgeous. What I do know about DS colors & can't say they are like this, but their newer releases mostly, is that the premix color - even if it has 3 pigments works like a single pigment & you get less mudd, dull, dead colors. It has something to do with the manufacturing blend. I happen to love cobalt violet, but I have not tried it any other brand. It is like you say, very low pigment, it's also extremely hard to paint with, you can't touch it much once you placed it down as it lifts & moves. I totally hated painting with it, but I was doing a monochrome study of a rose, & did several single paintings of 1 color. When they dried, it was by far the most gorgeous BUT, I have to say, it painted itself, went from mucky to paint, unmanageable, when dry, oh my luminous Gorgeous, the very best. It is an odd paint, haven't gone back to it to use in other paintings yet because like you say is very weak & hard to rewet. Not recommending it, but total suprise. Maybe just luck. I do want to mention one color you haven't & it maybe available in other brands but I find very useful is Bordeaux. I'm also in love with Mummy Bauxite. If those on on your dots you may want to play with a little more than swatching. Thanks for video, sound advice. I do love Indanthrone too, but that may be another you can get in other brands. I'm currently looking for a prettier granulating version of Ultramarine blue. I've only tried Qors (doesn't granulate much) DS has a dead grey- brown granulation that feels gloomy to me & WNCotman which I'm not fond of either. If you are familiar with other brands that granulate in a prettier way, please let me know, I would like to try.

[@iritlandgraf]

Thanks for the suggestions! I will look at the colors you mentioned! I really enjoy white night's ultramarine blue, but right now being away from my paints I can't remember how much it granulates... As for cobalt violet, my favorite from the ones I've tried is W&N (not Cotman). It has the prettiest tone (in my opinion, this is of course a preference), and the formula is the best when it comes to rewetting. I have it in all my palettes!

[@JoAnneMOwens]

Dena Heck Just so you know, I too am in the States and I buy all of my European paints through Jackson’s Art’s online shop. The shipping has sometimes been faster than buying online here. The cost is so much cheaper that way, Hope this helps

[@ya5575]

“The nickel azo yellow” Denise: y e s

[@jesstolley7193]

Jane Blundell's site is how I got started with my set of watercolors ^-^ It really is a fantastic resource, but yeah. Beginners and hoarders beware LOL I started with M graham paints and now almost half of my colors are D.S. I just adore the D.S. version of indigo, their yellow ochre and anthraquinoid red. Also Perylene Green, and moonglow!

[@iritlandgraf]

Lol totally dangerous place, her websote ;) Thanks for the recommendations! Love your favorites!

[@anacoeur1282]

Same here-I love cascade green and don’t care for sap green and hookers green 😂❤

[@hannekevanhouts6919]

Love your video's!! But van gogh is a student quality I believe that is maybe good to now for some people

[@iritlandgraf]

Royal Talens don't really label it as such. I found some of their paint to be comparable to artist grade. The main difference I see between van gogh and Rembrandt is Van gogh use exclusively budget friendly pigments (aka cheap 😉) to keep the entire range affordable, whereas Rembrandt has series, like all artist grade paint, using a range of pigments.

[@etienne7774]

Can you do a video on which ones are fugitive. Do they have genuine cobalt blue deep like w&n? I think one should forget color theory..... be like a child exploring color for yourself.

[@iritlandgraf]

Etienne check out Daniel Smith's website (as well as any other well known brand) for all the information about each pigments and paints, lightfast ratings included. Also Jane Blundell (and probably other people) did her own testing of many paints, just google Daniel Smith Lightfast and you should find all that info :)

[@CeridwenHafMorys]

Nice video. Can anyone tell me why I might be struggling so much with watercolours? I have a feeling it could be sizing of the paper - does anyone know of a watercolour paper that has a lot of sizing in it, so that colours are more vibrant instead of being sucked up instantly?

[@iritlandgraf]

Try any well known artist grade brand that's 300gr or more. Arches, Fabriano artistico, hahnemühle, canson, Lara just to name a few.

[@5yarcottages397]

The watercolour paper that gives me the most vibrant watercolours is 'Millford' by St Cuthberts Mill, available in sheets and a 12 × 9 block from Jacksons in the UK. Its very heavily sized and I love how bright the colours appear on this paper. Only issue is that they only make it in cold press.

[@agniolki]

Dear Irit, you have made my day :) I like van Gogh also but keep in mind that they are student grade. The range from Talens that is artist grade (I have notoced that they rewet faster and dont have this shining surface when they are dry) are Rembrandt :)

[@iritlandgraf]

Glad you enjoyed! Van Gogh is interesting, I don't remember seeing it called student grade. Personally, I find it performs just as well as my artist grade paints. In my opinion what makes it affordable is the use of the cheaper pigments in all their shades. You won't find cobalts and such in their range, but the paint has a beautiful formula that I enjoy just as much as artist grade.

[@indigodande4345]

lapis lazuli, kyanite, ynmin blue. tigers eye.

[@abigailhortencia5901]

Great can you one of brushes👌

[@iritlandgraf]

I hope to do a brush Video soon ❤️

[@huyle2057]

can you help me to pick 12 colors for my pallete? i only use the stick

[@iritlandgraf]

Not sure which colors are available in the sticks but for maximum versatility include primary colors.

[@karenpenner2231]

Do you have another brand recommendation for cobalt violet?

[@iritlandgraf]

Winsor and newton

[@karenpenner2231]

@@iritlandgraf thank you!

[@paulaverger4129]

Tiger eye genuine is a fantastic color.

[@lindseyB_33]

Oh my favorite is the burnt tigers eye but tigers eye is quickly becoming a favorite the more I use it :)

[@iritlandgraf]

Thanks Paula! I think I'll pick a tube up soon 😉

[@iritlandgraf]

@@lindseyB_33 haha yes I'm always debating those 2!

[@omaralvaradoart3791]

I’m from Mexico and this color chart doesn’t sell here ☹️ can you have a pictures or a scan image that you could share with me please ☹️☹️☹️☹️

[@iritlandgraf]

Just Google Daniel Smith dot card. Try US shops that ship to Mexico, if it's readily available in Europe, for sure it is in the US, where DS paints are made.

[@angelachiazzese]

Dupes video please. Who doesn’t want to grow there watercolour stash.m

[@iritlandgraf]

Haha absolutely ;)

[@dianachase63]

Yes, I agree. LOVE quin. coral, and I DON'T like cobalt violet.

[@iritlandgraf]

Thanks for sharing!

[@deadwolfius-kun3692]

Just to be clear Daniel Smith is still VERY expensive here the only difference is that if you go to a big box superstore craft store you could find a couple tubes (20$ for 5mls ouch) usually Winsor and Newton is cheaper than any American line professional and student (5$ for 7 mls student 20$ +15 mls professional )

[@everartokelli]

I live in the States and haven't seen Winsor & Newton Professional cheaper than Daniel Smith at Michael's or online art stores (Blick's/Jerry's/Cheap Joe's) except a few colors, would love to find a source. Even on Jackson's it's about the same price. There are a few WN colors I love (Winsor Yellow, Cerulean Blue, Winsor Violet & Potter's Pink), but they're usually more or the same as DS--as are Schmincke, Maimeri Blu, Qor, Holbein and some other brands. Unless you mean Cotman student grade, which are much less. I'd love to find a store where they have lower priced WN Pro, I usually get tubes when they're 50% off, but Michael's has a limited selection. But the online art stores are much less expensive than the craft stores for most paints and often have extra coupons and free shipping.

[@angelairidescenceartglass6289]

Even in the US, Daniel Smith isn’t inexpensive. Easily available? Yes. Inexpensive? Nope. Series 1 averages $12-13 US. Series 2 $14-16, Series 3 $15-17. Series 4 and 5? Yeah, not going there. I own one tube of series 5 paint by Daniel Smith. It was a Christmas gift. I really hope my mother didn’t pay what I think she may have. But, she lives in US southwest and was amused that the mine was “local” (ish). You can find sales and “deals” on some colors...but there are 250+ colors in the range. Some unique to Daniel Smith, plenty that are available in other brands. I like their paints in general, but they are pricey and there are other brands I like better.

[@iritlandgraf]

I totally agree, and top quality artist grade paint will always be expensive. To me, Daniel Smith is probably the most loved and popular brand in social media, and I'd hate for people to think they have to spend so much money when in my opinion, only a handful of colors are worth the high price tag, especailly outside the US.

[@robertweinblatt2018]

I just got it and paid $4

[@phillipstroll7385]

Dot cards should be free. They certainly used to be. If influencers had the influence they think they have they could influence these companies to give dot samples. Hint hint

[@iritlandgraf]

They should be! Agreed