What's Wrong with Kuretake's New Granulating Gansai Tambi Watercolor Paints

Get Your Own: amzn.to/3yHeGho
Kuretake Gansai Tambi: tinyurl.com/3uu93527
Gansai Watercolor: tinyurl.com/mvbnp6s8
SHOWNOTES:
Full Shownotes: tinyurl.com/ydx3xn5u
First saw these at NAMTA
Purchased on Amazon
Cost more than a set this size normally would
5 colors rather than 6
Designed to granulate
Swatches Mass Tone:
Upon initial swatching, all the colors look kind of the same-until they dry. As they dry, they granulate out, and you can see the colors shift and hints of neon pink and orange.
Wash-out shows some color chromatography
Granulation Swatches:
These are really pretty in granulation swatches, and you can see that there are often at least three colors at play.
Aurora is red and Aurora pink are too similar- a reddish violet vs. a pinkish violet, with neon pink and a bright steal, but aurora orange is interesting as it splits olive green, teal, and orange. Aurora blue has a little purple, orange, and a pthalo-esque blue. And Aurora violet might be my favorite- it's such a pretty color combo of purple, hot pink, and blue.
Fieldtest:
Bookmark:
Trying out that bubble/circle painting technique
It's super simple- I just tried to find round non non-porous things in a few diff sizes, but it'd be super cute with, like, cookie cutters. You apply paint to the rim, stamp it on your paper, and then apply clean water to encourage it to move. The water will encourage granulation.
Something I'm noticing while painting these though is that theres a scaley look to the granulation, particularly the Aurora Red in 'mass tone.'
I also didn't really let each layer dry fully, so there's a lot of reactivation and some muddiness.
Using them like this makes it clear this isn't really a palette that works well together? There are many similar colors, or colors with a lot of similarities, so it's probably more like a gold or metallics palette rather than, say, a mixing palette or a palette that's meant to represent a rainbow. I'm not sure if what I'm saying makes sense to others, but basically, using them all at once like this doesn't really seem to showcase what these paints can do. I mean, everything has a pink or an orange base.
Fieldtest:
Kara Cookies:
ADHD emotions:
Joyful
Spaced Out
Hurt/Angry
Embarassed
Overwhelmed
The lack of variety between two colors in a five-color set is really noticeable, particularly with these emotion cookies, where it would've been really helpful to get some extra splits. I don't know why this set was so expensive compared to some of the other Kuretake Gansai Tambi sets out there, particularly because we only get 5 colors and an empty pan- not sure how Kuretake justifies that (or maybe it's ColArts jacking up the price, would need to dig a bit), it was
Iris Fieldtest:
These get used up fast
Almost more vibrant on cellulose paper
It's really a great option if you want to do spot color or limited color because it brings a lot of pretty chaos to things like florals, but it does reactivate.
Pros:
Really interesting color splits that include hot pinks
Gansai format is easy to use and activate
An interesting addition to Kuretake's lineup
Cons:
Expensive for gansai tambi paints
Entering a market that already has a lot of granulating and supergranulating options
Gets used up fast
Probably not lightfast
Only 5 pans, not the full 6
Many colors are VERY similar and feel repetitive- would like to see a wider color gamut
The Verdict:
I like them, and they're really fun, but I think they're expensive. If you already own super granulating watercolors from brands like Schmincke, these aren't necessarily adding much that isn't already out there. The color splits are really fun for limited-color illustrations, but a wider color gamut would make this set more useful and might better justify the price point.
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
02:21 Unboxing
07:34 Swatching
14:02 Similar Gansai Watercolors
15:05 Other Granulating Watercolors
18:39 Granulation Cookies
24:14 Fieldtest 1: Easy Bookmark
26:36 Fieldtest 2: Comic Panel Cookies
36:48 Fieldtest 3: Iris Study
42:15 Talking About the Paints
55:25 How they're Presented Online
56:23 Final Thoughts
Music:
A Day in the Village Loop
A Day in the Village Loop Layer Dulcimer
A Day in the Village with Final No Loop
By the Bonfire Intro
By the Bonfire Loop
By the Bonfire with Final No Loop
Calm Intro
Calm Loop
Exploring the Village Loop
Exploring the Village with Final No Loop
Kevin MacLeod- Enchanted Valley
Kevin MacLeod- Folk Round
Kevin MacLeod- Master of the Feast
Knights in Town Intro
Knights in Town Loop
Knights in Town with Final No Loop
Sunny Travel- Nico Staf
Sunset Dream- Cheel
Village Ambient Music Calm Non Intrusive Loop
Village Ambient Music Calm Non Intrusive Loop Layer Dulcimer
Village Ambient Music Calm Non Intrusive with Final No Loop
Village Nights Loop
Village Nights with Final No Loop

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Thanks for showcasing this! I need to use my other granulating paints more but it's good to see what's out there!

[@jordang7479]

I love when you do field tests. I have a tendency to just want to buy colors because they're pretty but then not using them because I'm not sure how 😅. Seeing them as part of a full picture instead of a stand alone swatch is super helpful.

[@gostowl]

I feel you regarding the limited colors in the set. I bought it because I was inspired by WashedOutWyvern’s demo with Aurora Orange, which is the most unique color in the set. I hope Kuretake does sell each color individually in the future so we don’t have to deal with the “duplicates.” I do look forward to when my order arrives. Glad to have your insight.

[@HeftyBalance-fj1st]

Thank you so much for reviewing this! I've been eyeing them for use in monochromatic pieces with detailed line work. The green (technically yellow)from the other set really works well on the flower, too! It's something for me to keep in mind if I end up picking them up! And your art is lovely as well. :)

[@HeftyBalance-fj1st]

Also, are you aware of any other brands that have that orange teal mix in a super granulating color?

[@Nattosoup]

The thought behind these would be awesome for monochromatic work- if Kuretake had stretched a bit more with their color selection!

[@jenniferroy6288]

I got these and am not sure how versatile they will be. I’ve just been playing…thanks for showing!

[@Nattosoup]

That's my concern as well.

[@WhstlblwrBlastingEpsteinsPals]

So excited to see you review these paints. I may have to grab them. Love the WC cookies! I love ATCs but hadn't heard of cookies. Fun, fun.

[@berolinastrassmann]

Thanks for this thorough and in depth review. You work so hard to give them a chance! They look great. However, seeing how they are on paper showed me that they would not suit my style at all. If I wanted something similar, I have other granulating colours I can mix myself, with lightfast colours. You saved me sone money!

[@dneel468]

Hi Becca, if you use the extra pan and make a really diluted wash the colors separate more and you can pick different colors from the same pan separately. Hope that makes sense, you have to try it to see what I’m trying to explain. I do agree they are way overpriced and too similar. They do look cool separating in the pan. Nice review as always.

[@RachelR]

I bought these before watching your review. I just roll my eyes at the “package of 6 but 5” 🤣 … also wow, I almost recognize the background music? What is it? It’s great!

[@trishs.4326]

Well done I love how thoroughly you put & set out this field test 👍🔆👍🙂

[@trishs.4326]

And I love your cartooning style and cartoon character

[@yovamccoy2806]

I appreciate your experience and knowledgeableness. I was so excited when heard about these that I bought them immediately. I am fairly new at watercolors. It was good to watch you put them through their paces.

[@Lauraisabelgonzalezart]

I too just picked these up and they were very hard to open as well. I thought it was just me lol...

[@Nattosoup]

I don't know what this particular set was such a struggle, but it was!😂

[@DieterPrivate]

The colours being too similar is what's keeping me from buying them. If I can find them open stock, I might buy 1 or 2

[@yashma9275]

Tbh it doesn’t even look like granulation, these colors separate like ink. And there’s no way they are lightfast, I see a lot of fluorescent colors in these paints. Another day another questionable trendy thing Loved your video tho!

[@KellyCDB]

Ohh spoiled sizing, that must be what was wrong with the last 3 sheets of an old (idek how old, maybe 15-20 yrs) pad I tried to use a few weeks ago. Good to know!

[@pamelaavery2483]

Should I be excited about Holbein new super granulating watercolors? I kinda am. Your thoughts…

[@Lauraisabelgonzalezart]

Those look pretty neat as well!

[@Nattosoup]

I don't actually know- I haven't seen them up for sale yet and haven't had a chance to try them. I'm surprised Holbein didn't have them at Creativation!

[@pamelaavery2483]

@@Nattosoup Paint in Hiding did a review 10 days ago. I was wondering if you saw them but I didn't see them in your video from the show.

[@Nattosoup]

​@pamelaavery2483 I saw that Paint in Hiding created a review, so I am aware of them, but haven't watched it yet as I avoid watching reviews on supplies I may end up reviewing myself, so I can come in with an as unbiased opinion as I can!

[@pamelaavery2483]

@@Nattosoup I understand. When you find them...I will watch. Thanks for all you do ☺️

[@JessicaCEP]

I like weird colors, so I pretty much only like the orange/green…