REVIEW of Dr. Ph Martin's Hydrus Watercolor - IS IT EVEN Watercolor??

[@KarenCampbellArtist]

Since doing this review (which I filmed 3 whole months ago) I've done a SLEW of paintings with them!! I'm very excited about the results so stay tuned for my next video about that coming soon! (pssst...don't forget to subscribe so you don't miss it!). Thanks for watching! Any comments or questions? Do please let me know ❤

[@Denise-jw4un]

Which one would you buy If you had a choice to buy one?

[@KarenCampbellArtist]

Do you mean which color?

[@camillanilsson2460]

That was an interesting test. You can learn so much about your products before using them in your art. Thank you ❤

[@KarenCampbellArtist]

@@camillanilsson2460 for sure! And just when you think they’re normal, nope!! lol

[@chloepekel]

Your review has made me add these to my wish list!

[@KarenCampbellArtist]

They really are pretty cool. I just ordered a bunch of pinks and purples to try out! I'll share in my video on Wednesday!

[@sherrymurphy1825]

This turtle as my pic was painted with Dr. Martin Hydrus Watercolor's on a full sheet of Windsor & Newton watercolor paper. I love these paints, I have been using them for years.

[@KarenCampbellArtist]

@@sherrymurphy1825 no way!!! So cool!!

[@sherrymurphy1825]

@@KarenCampbellArtist Way, LOL! He's hanging on my youngest grandson's bedroom wall. He likes sea creatures and the beach, I use them full strength, no water added and blend the colors just like normal watercolors. I love the richness of the colors! It was one of Tamara's single lessons.

[@KarenCampbellArtist]

Me too!!! Love it!

[@suejacobson8712]

Their color saturation is remarkable! Stirring with a small stick before using is helpful as they do tend to settle and coagulate in the bottle over time.. Also there can be clogs in the dropper which may need cleaning out. I tried putting them in a palette. Some are still usable after a year and some are all crumbly and unusable.

[@KarenCampbellArtist]

@@suejacobson8712 I was surprised at how little sediment there was after not touching them for quite literally, years! I’m impressed with these!!!

[@belindawest3558]

There is a little vibration machine that chemistry labs use to mix liquids. If you set each bottle on it it stirs them completely

[@clareallen6413]

I have one of those for my inks and mica sprays 😁

[@Decopainterandtea]

What?? I have to look for that now.❤😅

[@KarenCampbellArtist]

😂

[@cindiherrera4095]

This was a great review Karen! I too love all inks......thanks for the glass bead tip. Where can you buy them? Do you use metal beads in your acrylic inks? to help with mixing? Thank you

[@KarenCampbellArtist]

Thanks for your kind words Cindi! I bought the glass beads at the dollar store actually! That’s the only place I use them (in my water). Thx for commenting and for your kind words! 🩷

[@averymorgan1369]

Yay another supply to obsess over!!!❤

[@KarenCampbellArtist]

@@averymorgan1369 right?!? 🩷

[@caseyclay5019]

Great video! Thanks for the comparison. P.s. on acrylic inks, watercolor...any medium that gives you the transparency info on the bottle/tube...the white square means its transparent and a black square means opaque. So, the lime green acrylic ink you used to demo was actually supposed to be transparent. :)

[@KarenCampbellArtist]

@@caseyclay5019 thanks! I’m more into using them and seeing for myself than taking the time to read (cuz that takes time I don’t have lol). And now I know from using! Thank you! You’re absolutely right of course 🩷

[@GlendaTheGoodEasel]

Do you mark the bottles so you know what color that’s in the bottle. They never look like what you see. Is the Bloch of it on a sticker in bottom?

[@KarenCampbellArtist]

Oh great question! I swatch them and keep those swatches in my watercolor swatch booklet. I’ll show that next week for you!

[@thebumblingcrafter]

Karen these are beyond cool but what I'm wondering is do they bloom the way watercolors do? If they bloom and blend I would find them neatly perfect. ~Patti

[@KarenCampbellArtist]

Yes they do! Not as much as regular watercolors but I just did a wet on wet piece last week and the results were really beautiful! I’ll show some in my next video so you can see more.

[@ChantelleArts]

these are so wild 😊

[@KarenCampbellArtist]

There are crazy fun!

[@kristinasampson6644]

Not me screeching water them doooown! Haven't even watched the whole video lol Looking forward though!

[@KarenCampbellArtist]

Oh but I looooove them at ALL the strengths!!!

[@gerardineholland1357]

I would like to see how PH water colours reacted with your paper already wet . If the colour where able to mix ,see the granulation and how easy they spread.

[@KarenCampbellArtist]

Oh yes. I’ll show wet on wet tnext week in my follow up! These are not granulating though. So you aren’t missing anything there!

[@nonamepainter]

I thought it was just me but I don't like the Stonehenge Aqua either. Thank goodness I only bought the tiny little pad to try it out. I think if I stretch it it'll probably behave better.

[@KarenCampbellArtist]

It’s a bummer! You’re lucky! I bought way too much but I’m actually drawing on it instead so that’s helping get through it 😅

[@Karenfree2202]

I have these and haven’t used them yet So thank you for so much useful information!

[@KarenCampbellArtist]

You're so welcome, I'm glad you thought it was helpful. Let me know what you think when you get around to using them!

[@sheilagilleland4312]

I just got wacky widdle women edition, just started on sleepy sue and rainbow Rose, I seriously enjoy this book, such easy instruction I’ll practice a few times and hopeful make a few cute painting for my granddaughter.. Now I need to sit down and fill out my heart goal planners. I’m excited to start,,,,I’m seriously thinking by filling this goal planner out I will be an artist by the end of the year/. Of course I will, I’ll br a professional

[@KarenCampbellArtist]

I am so glad you like the book and that you are finding it easy to follow! Your granddaughter will love your paintings!

[@carolguthmann6646]

Thanks for the review, we are often talked into buying something and then not use it.

[@KarenCampbellArtist]

@@carolguthmann6646 you’re welcome. I hope I don’t ever come across as trying to convince anyone to buy anything! Ironically once I open and tested these I filmed a whole slew of lessons with them and genuinely was sad I hadn’t opened them sooner!

[@nadiadragonfly11]

Watercolour Artist Ana Victoria Calderón adds the Hydrus to her watercolours if She wants more vibrant & or intense colours. Thanks for the review! I just got some of PH Martin's Bombay ink for a gift so Iooking forward to trying them😘 Happy 2025🥳💞

[@KarenCampbellArtist]

Oh wow! I've never heard of her but I have to check out her work!! I love that you're into the inks too!

[@nadiadragonfly11]

@@KarenCampbellArtist Ana has about 5 Books out, including Creative Watercolor; Creative Watercolor & Mixed Media, and Color Harmony for Artists, which is where She talks about using Ph Martin's Hydrus & Radiant Concentrated Watercolor☺

[@KarenCampbellArtist]

@ oh thank you so much I will for sure check that one out!

[@nadiadragonfly11]

@@KarenCampbellArtist

[@susanfernandes7748]

Opera Rose is not lightfast because it has BV10 fluorescent basic dye rhodamine B which is used to dye samples on slides. Anything that has BV10 will not be lightfast. It fades very quickly. BV10 is also what makes Opera Rose smell -- I call it Stinky Pink.

[@KarenCampbellArtist]

I knew about the lightest bit but have never noticed an odor from any of my colors. So Weird!

[@lotusflowerpassion]

wow thanks for the review dear so interesting

[@KarenCampbellArtist]

@@lotusflowerpassion aw sure thing. Thanks so very much for watching!

[@GlendaTheGoodEasel]

Do you mark the bottles so you know what color that’s in the bottle. They never look like what you see

[@KarenCampbellArtist]

It looks like you asked this twice so I answered the other one 🥰

[@99zanne]

I kept mine even longer! I tried them and because I was new to watercolors, all I could see was they didn’t work because I didn’t know how to use them, since the front label was watercolor. I kept mine so long, the carrying medium evaporated and left the color behind! Also, while I like that they are packaged in glass, I have learned I really use my needle tipped bottles of color or my watercolor markers WAY more often than a pipette system, I think because of convenience and the perception that no matter how careful I was with the pipette, I would up with WAY too much color for my project. I am also a card maker, not a canvas creator, which affects that perception. With more experience now, I would look online for help first (NO online when I started), and try once more. If still not happy with the art supply, I would make a note in my supply journal so as to not buy twice, and then would offload either by sale, donation, or gift, and not have it cluttering up my studio for years. This was a very thought provoking vid, thanks for sharing.

[@KarenCampbellArtist]

Oh man! It’s amazing how much we learn along the way, right?

[@judyhoomalamalama]

I wish I had my aunts vintage perfume bottles . After she passed away it sounds like 1 of my relatives through them away. He said he lived w old things all his life n didn’t want them around 😮

[@KarenCampbellArtist]

Oh I'm so sorry to hear that! You can find them lots of antique and vintage stores - perhaps it's time to start your own and new collection :)

[@cristinalattuada5322]

They are meant to be diluted with water not just straight, I think. 🤔 Veridian is a very staining colour too.

[@KarenCampbellArtist]

I like to use them “all” the ways lol

[@GlendaTheGoodEasel]

I wanna learn these!

[@KarenCampbellArtist]

@@GlendaTheGoodEasel use em!! So fun!!!

[@kristinasampson6644]

Thanks for the glass beads tip!!!

[@KarenCampbellArtist]

For sure!!

[@cindysimons2772]

I have a set of these. Not used yet.

[@KarenCampbellArtist]

Ha! Was me until recently, I feel you!!

[@kristinasampson6644]

They are very very concentrated. So you can add tons of water and get the translucency. Not sure if that changes the permanence..? Just fyi...but since this video is in the past.. lol I'm sure you know.

[@KarenCampbellArtist]

They are and I LOVE using them both diluted AND full strength - so much fun and the permanence is about the same. I'l share more in my next Wednesday video!

[@char3474]

You’re fun! I subscribed. Thank you!

[@KarenCampbellArtist]

Thanks so much! I hope you enjoy the channel!

[@careena8242]

Seems like the PH Martins are pretty much what you get from Derwent Inktense. In fact, if you have Inktense blocks (I don't; I only have the pencils) it might be interesting to grind a bit up and solubilise with water to see whether the ink you've created behaves similarly.

[@KarenCampbellArtist]

That’s a super interesting idea!! I’m gonna have to try that!

[@TheLakingc]

I see there are several more products, too... Radiant and iridescent, but that might just be ink... lots of items, actually. I wonder how Radiant is different from hydrus. I have so much here now, and not that many years left to use it all! That's what happens when you're having fun! I love making jewelry and crocheting, too! Ha!

[@KarenCampbellArtist]

@@TheLakingc oh yes they have inks and liquid watercolors (different than the Hydrus) and so much more! And youre not alone in your hoarding lol

[@milenamarcocci6320]

Very interesting thanks ❤❤❤❤bravissima

[@KarenCampbellArtist]

@@milenamarcocci6320 you’re so kind. Thanks for watching 😘😘😘

[@ShelleyKuepers]

Dumb question, but are you washing your brush in marbles I hear them hitting a glass or something.....

[@KarenCampbellArtist]

Glass beads! Helps the brush get clean better and faster. Sorry for the noise! lol

[@ShelleyKuepers]

@KarenCampbellArtist OH I loved the noise it made reminded me of mixing a drink nice and cold! I saw you highlight my question about the beads ( I feel like a movie star)! I have been watching you for years and have inspired me with your art videos. Thank you for sharing. I would not have been financially able to rekindle my love of art if it wouldn't have been for you. Thank you so much, Shelley

[@teresaleblanc2420]

Wow ,who would have known wtg on. Checking on the ink color

[@KarenCampbellArtist]

@@teresaleblanc2420 right!?

[@1RealRoyalPain]

You need to add water to those to those watercolors. Also, once they are dry, you can not reactivate them.

[@KarenCampbellArtist]

@@1RealRoyalPain you don’t *need* to add water to them but you for sure can! I use them undiluted all the time! Just depends on the saturation you’re looking for.

[@Paintsplash4]

The PH Martin Hydrus moves fine on paper for me. I don't know why it's different for you. Maybe it's the paper.

[@KarenCampbellArtist]

@@Paintsplash4 I’ve now done a good half dozen paintings with it on rough, cold and hot press. It for sure stains when dry. But I actually love that about these. And I can reactivate my palette. Which I didn’t find out until after I did all the other tests. But not the color on my paper. Fascinating. The other Dr. Ph Martin liquid watercolors I find do not stain like these do. They are virtually identical products except for that one fact and that the watercolors aren’t lightfast (while the Hydrus are). So confusing 🫤

[@CatholicRishi]

They look to me like Inktense products. They're technically a watercolor but behave in a much more permanent way.

[@KarenCampbellArtist]

@@CatholicRishi agreed!! So interesting…

[@pollyweinmann5082]

Roll the bottle upside-down back and forth in your hands. Like you would do with a bottle of nail polish.

[@KarenCampbellArtist]

@@pollyweinmann5082 got it 👍

[@FriedPi-mc5yt]

Noodler’s Inks has archival quality inks. So does DeAtrimentis.

[@KarenCampbellArtist]

@@FriedPi-mc5yt yes! I have over 70 inks - it’s a problem. A small number of them are “bullet proof” as Noodlers calls them but the vast majority of fountain pen inks are sadly, not. Doesn’t at all stop me from hoarding and using them tho I’ll tell you that! lol

[@FriedPi-mc5yt]

@ Give a mouse a coookie…. 😂 I can relate. I use fountain pens for pen and ink artwork and I’m always on the lookout for the next greatest ink I need.

[@KarenCampbellArtist]

Right?! Always! And I neeeed every single color made, by everyone. I know it’s not normal to paint with them so I’m glad I’m not the only one with this weird obsession!!

[@bonnieravenstar860]

I have used these for years. To me they work more like standard ink with a bit of 'play' depending on your substrate. They are great for a Gelli plate (if that is your thing, not mine though lol). They have more watercolor like properties on canvas paper. I love their pigmentation and their vibrancy. I have Daniel Smith paints (watercolor etc. ) and some are good but they are not my favorite. Great demo and they have no play on cotton rag I will tell you that lol.

[@KarenCampbellArtist]

@@bonnieravenstar860 totally!! 💯

[@sheilagilleland4312]

23:12

[@kristinasampson6644]

I mean and you can use like a drop...

[@KarenCampbellArtist]

got it!

[@kristinasampson6644]

Ok...whew 😅

[@KarenCampbellArtist]

😆

[@sheilagilleland4312]

|

[@karmamagers537]

Interesting concept for a video, BUT, Sweetie, less talk and more action.

[@artseagirl1]

Woah😮 She is an amazing person and artist. Very giving and informative. I have learned a lot from her

[@KarenCampbellArtist]

You are right! I do have a lot to say sometimes!

[@kristinasampson6644]

Ok...whew 😅

[@KarenCampbellArtist]

lol