Daniel Smith Color Showdown S2E5: Hansa Yellow Light vs Lemon Yellow

** Please support my Patreon **
/ otokano
In this series we compare two very similar Daniel Smith watercolors through swatches. Learn the differences between the two colors, which one you should pick for your palette, or find out that they are both worth having!
In this episode, we compare Hansa Yellow Light and Lemon Yellow. What is the difference?
For closer look at these swatch sheets: / otokano
** Supplies I used **
+ Hansa Yellow Light (Daniel Smith) www.jacksonsart.com/daniel-sm...
+ Lemon Yellow (Daniel Smith) www.jacksonsart.com/daniel-sm...
+ Cadmium Yellow Light (Holbein) www.jacksonsart.com/holbein-w...
+ Cadmium Yellow Orange (Holbein) www.jacksonsart.com/holbein-w...
+ Vermilion (Holbein) www.jacksonsart.com/holbein-w...
+ Permanent Red (Daniel Smith) www.jacksonsart.com/daniel-sm...
+ Quinacridone Rose (Daniel Smith) www.jacksonsart.com/daniel-sm...
+ Quinacridone Violet (Holbein) www.jacksonsart.com/holbein-w...
+ Ultramarine Violet (Schmincke) www.jacksonsart.com/schmincke...
+ Ultramarine Blue (handmade by me)
+ Phthalo Blue Yellow Shade (Holbein) www.jacksonsart.com/holbein-w...
+ Phthalo Turquoise (Daniel Smith) www.jacksonsart.com/daniel-sm...
+ Viridian Hue (Holbein) www.jacksonsart.com/holbein-w...
+ Permanent Green No. 1 (Holbein) www.jacksonsart.com/holbein-w...
Papers
+ Bockingford 140lb CP watercolor paper www.jacksonsart.com/bockingfo...
+ Bockingford 140lb HP watercolor paper www.jacksonsart.com/bockingfo...
+ Bockingford 140lb Rough watercolor paper www.jacksonsart.com/bockingfo...
+ Arches 140lb CP watercolor paper pad www.jacksonsart.com/arches-aq...
Other Tools
+ Gauze www.otokano.com/shop/gauze-fo...
+ Pro Arte Prolene Plus size 12 round brush www.jacksonsart.com/pro-arte-...
** Shop **
Original abstract paintings
+ otokano.com/
** Connect with Me **
+ Twitter: / otokano_art
Jackson's & Amazon links are affiliate links in which a small percentage of the sale supports this channel without costing you any extra at all. Thank you so much for supporting this channel grow!

[@InLiquidColor]

My kingdom for PY175. It makes me sad that this is not included in most store selections. It's so wonderful to work with, and is so much crisper and cleaner and doesn't muddy as much as the PY3 in my opinion. I'll have to respectfully disagree in saying I feel like the lemon yellow is a cooler yellow, but only by a hair. It definitely does have a lower tinting strength, but I rarely need a POW yellow with my subjects :)

[@OtoKano]

I totally take what you said on board, because the difference is soooo small. It could've been my lighting, my paper, so many things. They are like twins in colors :)

[@InLiquidColor]

Dr. Oto Kano 💜 did you notice a muddiness at all with the masstone of the HYD? It is definitely more pigmented, but I find it harder to control the clarity.

[@OtoKano]

Now that you say that, yeah I think hansas do have as slightly muddy masstone. There are definitely more clear yellows out there, like the lemon yellow, the Isoind yellows, etc.

[@gorway7]

I have always favoured Py3 as a lemon yellow over the Py175, it is as you say as far pure cool yellow you can go before hitting greens, "right there on the edge". I use both Jacksons and Sennelier for this and is a must on my palette. It is the one yellow that can still make a good green out of ultramarine. I love the high chroma and it's ability in concentration to be slightly opaque (good for spotting onto greens) yet very transparent in normal dilution.

[@daruleos]

I love this series! It is a good idea to put a scan of the swatches but it is so soothing and relaxing to see the sheets being painted, please go back to that!

[@OtoKano]

Aw I'm sorry :( I had huge technical difficulties filming the painting footages. Basically, I filmed doing the paintings for all of the remaining episodes, and they all died on me *tears* So unfortunately, it has to be scans for the rest of the series :( I'm sad about it too!

[@jengoodwyn2715]

I believe I would go for lemon yellow as I prefer the colour and the mixes, though choosing the coolest yellow for the palette makes good sense and the lemon yellow colours are quite light.

[@JustinMumma]

I believe there is a little bit of questionability that has been raised recently around the lightfastness of PY3, and PY175 is confidently light-fast, so that is one advantage. On her blog, Kim Crick explained some of the issues QOR found with PY3 light-fast testing, and that PY175 is the best light-fast alternative

[@197432879]

Thanks so much, I’m looking for a cool yellow to glaze with and your video was very helpful to see the comparison between the two. Still wondering if M.Graham Azo Yellow would work too, except there are different options if it’s a cool or warm yellow.

[@SharonNolfi]

I like the brighter mixes with the HYL. Great comparisons in this and the other videos of this series.

[@OtoKano]

Glad you are enjoying these comparisons Sharon. Thank you for watching :D

[@LavenderDebs]

Thank you!

[@stacyamazedbylife7508]

I have HYL on my DS palette and love it. I was really excited to see this comparison. I think I'm going to stick with the HYL. I've put myself on an art supply purchasing moratorium. I simply can't afford to add another color! That's probably a good thing!

[@OtoKano]

Congrats on being on a buying break. How long are you on for? I've just spent a month not buying art supplies too!

[@artycraftyalchemy]

They are both so pretty. I have Hansa Yellow Light because it came in the essentials pack I think it is called :)

[@OtoKano]

Yes that's the set! It's a good clean cool yellow :)

[@MassimilianoDeliso]

Hi OTO, since I’m not a yellow person at all, I usually have only one yellow in my palette a mid tone one PY97, anyway I really liked the mixes with the PY175, so I may give it a try! Thanks for sharing! Cheers!

[@OtoKano]

So glad you liked the PY175 :D It does create lovely mixes. Have fun!

[@LanaGoesArt]

Thanks for the comparison of the two. I don't have a Hansa Yellow light in my palette and don't think that I would need that now after watching the video. The mixes are so lovely with both of the colors. :) (I like the peachy color they produce the most.)

[@OtoKano]

Glad to hear that the video helped you decide that you don't need that particular paint :) more money to spend on colors you love!

[@LanaGoesArt]

That's true! and there is so much, that I want to try out! :)

[@fufufuaru]

I still don't have a cool yellow and this is perfect because I don't know whether to get lemon yellow or hansa yellow light. Thank you for the thorough comparison, Oto!

[@OtoKano]

you are so welcome! Which do you think you'll go for?

[@jerryhall5709]

Buy lemon yellow from Lukas which is their name for hansa yellow light ;)

[@gorway7]

Can't comment on DS... I only have 'Jacksons' / Sennelier?? PY3 Lemon yellow but its proved a very versatile and clean cool yellow for spring greens ...and less muddy in mixes than some of my other cool yellows. It takes in most blues without going through that pastel like phase.

[@anam00090]

Nice! Just got Winsor Lemon PY175 to try out. I'm not really a cool yellow person, but I wanted it for the mixes. However, I've decided to use PY129 Green Gold as my main cool yellow. Not the DS version though, QOR has a nicer hue. Will definitely try to mix Lemon Yellow more, it looks great with Quin Violet and Quin Rose ^_^ Love the transparent yellows so out of the two, PY175 would still be my pick.

[@OtoKano]

Great to know that QoR's green gold is a nice hue. I love transparent yellows too. Have you tried Holbein's Aureolin?

[@anam00090]

Noope, Holbein is a bit on the expensive side for me :( Costs me a little more than even Daniel Smith in some cases, so... One day I'll go to Japan and buy them all :D Including Aureolin. I've seen you swatch it in mixes and it looks very nice!

[@OtoKano]

aw yeah no worth spending that much on Holbeins!

[@angelairidescenceartglass6289]

M. Graham’s Azo Green is PY129 and yummy! Had a hard time choosing between Lemon Yellow and Azo Green for my cool yellow in my new travel palette. Ended up going with Lemon Yellow since I have Nickle Azo Yellow on my palette and, in mixes, the differences between the NAY and AG was too small for a very limited palette. The Lemon Yellow gave me more variety- but do love PY129.

[@therocketjones]

Very interesting. I use quite a few Blick watercolors (which I like), and their Lemon Yellow is made with PY3.

[@aesea57804]

Yes, various brands name their colors as they wish, but the pigment number is the reliable info!

[@EveBolt]

Both those yellows are SO BRIGHT. And they are so similar, it's difficult to pick one... Oddly enough, Lemon yellow isn't available at the store here, so I would default to Hansa Y L just because it's easier to get :)

[@OtoKano]

That's always a good reason! :D

[@EtherealOde]

when used for glazing, the lemon yellow shines in mixes when you are looking for a more nature palette, at least for me. The greens (in particular when mixed with the viridian or phthalos) layer for days, the same applies with the softer orange hues you can get. I mainly do landscapes and other scenes from travels, and many of these softer tones are found on European buildings. I can see what you mean about the cooler tone of the PY3 though. Overall, I prefer transparency above all, and have only a few paints that are semi-opaque due to my preference. I wonder how Aureolin would compare to these two hues? I've started building a second palette due to watching your color showdowns that include more of the semi-opaque and granulating types (omg perelyne green and purpurite genuine thank you for those Oto!!!) and have a new appreciation for these.

[@OtoKano]

I would strongly advise against the Daniel Smith's Aureolin! It uses the genuine pigment, which fades really fast, but worse it turns grey. I recommend trying Aureolin hues, like one by Holbein. So glad you are starting to enjoy the semi-opaques and the granulating colors. I am like you, I tend to stick to the transparent colors. Making these series have opened me up to a whole new world!

[@EtherealOde]

I do recall you saying that before, so I should have been more specific because I actually did mean the hue! Thank you for pointing it out though because for anyone unaware of that it could be a nasty and unwelcome surprise to see the change! What would you suggest, with the swatches you already have of Aureolin hue? Your tests and opinions are an invaluable asset for this type of information.

[@OtoKano]

I feel like the Holbein one is the best match for the genuine color. I will do a quick video for you next week :)

[@EtherealOde]

Thank you again Oto. ^_^ I'm looking forward to it.

[@everartokelli]

DS Aureolin is such a beautiful yellow, glowy neutral yellow, but of course PY40 is fugitive. I haven't had issues with DS, but Winsor & Newton Aureolin has actually turned grey on my palette so unfortunately it's not usable. I'm always looking to match it however--PY175 is close in transparency but much cooler.

[@jenarnold438]

Thank you so much for this video...I have been trying to decide between these two colors for a long time, and was wondering if I needed a cool yellow on my palette. I’ve been leaning towards PY 175 (Lemon Yellow), but think I might be ok to just stick with PY 97 (Hansa Yellow Medium) as it can lean both warm and cool. What do you think?

[@OtoKano]

Yes, PY97 is a really nice middle yellow. I think it's a great idea :D

[@jenarnold438]

Thank you so much for helping me figure this out!!😃

[@OtoKano]

You are so welcome!

[@qdmiya]

Hi Dr. Oto Kano, why don’t I see you reviewing Windsor and Newtown watercolours which should be convenient as you are in the UK?

[@Cchouette]

Instructive and useful video 👍🏻 Thank U 😊

[@giespel68]

Mixed with pyrrol red, the hansa yellow light results in a much brighter orange compared to lemon yellow which becomes a dull orange.

[@zibbyzoo4379]

I really like to see you actually swatching/painting the colors out and mixing them. It's sooooo soothing! :) I really prefer PY175 for its clarity, but I use PY3 much more often. Beats me why that is...

[@calamityjitt667]

I've got py175 from DS in 5ml tube out of curiosity and comparison to PY3 (targetted lightfast colors back then) but was disappointed :( to me it felt like I was trying to paint with toothpaste, masstone had weird "gummy" feeling as it went down and its paleness in mixes turned me down. Py3 for neon green mixes for the win! (although py151 isn't bad choice when mixed with pg36 either :D)

[@OtoKano]

Awww I'm sorry you didn't have a good experience with the PY175. That's so strange about the toothpaste-like texture. I wonder if it was an old tube. Glad you like PY3!

[@calamityjitt667]

Dr. Oto Kano it's possible I used it too thickly, but the color itself didn't really click with me :) I'm more of a bright (or "special effect" :D) color person. Got it from Jackson's, but who knows... Later I noticed on handprint Bruce refers to that odd "texture" too. However, Teoh for example keeps it as his cool yellow in his DS palette. Preferences I guess :) Lately I'm gravitating heavily towards py151 instead as my to go yellow, but py110 and py3 pair is great split primary combo to keep around :)

[@OtoKano]

yeah PY151 has so much punch behind the color, it's fantastic.

[@everartokelli]

I find Hansa Yellow Light to be much cooler with a noticeable lean toward green compared to the Lemon Yellow based on my own paint swatches and pans. I'm replacing HYL with Lemon Yellow as I run out of it in palettes because as Denise said it's cleaner in mixes, and Lemon Yellow is more of a neutral yellow, so usable if you have one yellow in a palette. Thanks for this series, it's so helpful!

[@OtoKano]

so glad you are finding this series useful. Thank you for watching :D

[@kathrynt98011]

There’s a new player in the cool bright yellow game … have you seen the Quinopthalone Yellow?

[@OtoKano]

I've heard of it, but I've not seen it yet, as it was not included in my 240 color DS dot card :/ is it good?

[@kathrynt98011]

Dr. Oto Kano I just got some. It’s very bright! I might do a full mixing thing with it later and post it to IG, if I do I’ll tag you.

[@OtoKano]

That would be amazing, thank you Kathryn!

[@InLiquidColor]

Oo tag me too!

[@Nik.66]

Yesss! Quinopthalone yellow is my favourite yellow, brilliantly bright yet cool.

[@DahHar117]

What is it about Yellow that makes some artists consider it to be neutral?

[@bestiboy]

Oto, did you change your username🤔? Since when there is "Dr." infront of your name😅. When I first saw it I was like: Uhhh... that's fancy😂

[@OtoKano]

I've had the Dr. title (I actually have a Ph.D) since way before I started KZbin.

[@u.sonomabeach6528]

Bestiboy- After someone receives a Ph.D they have earned the title Dr. which signifies that the person has a doctoral degree in their field of study. Apologies if you already knew that

[@hansalakamsani9628]

YOOOOOO

[@vigtoria8123]

I click on these videos so fast 😂

[@OtoKano]

That makes me so happy :D

[@777-Phil]

Thumbs up! PY175 Lemon yellow (currently) for me as it greys perfectly with ultramarine violet and therefore makes for a powerful 2-color limited palette ... and since I'd beef up tint strength with cadmium-yellow as necessary. Lemon seems better for keeping a painting warm. But if strong greens were my passion, PY3 (as you demo'd) would seem great.

[@jengoodwyn2715]

I believe I would go for lemon yellow as I prefer the colour and the mixes, though choosing the coolest yellow for the palette makes good sense and the lemon yellow colours are quite light.