Shinhan Professional Designer's Gouache Review (set of 12)

[@nancyleigh-smith2796]

Designer gouache has more colours that are NOT lightfast than artists gouache. Made for illustrators etc who photograph their work.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Good to know, I thought designers was to differentiate between the acrylic and the water reactive gouache. Good to know.

[@Paintsplash4]

The "designer" and the "artist's" gouache naming has no bearing on the lightfastness of the paints. It's just marketing. All are hit and miss on lightfastness depending on the tube. For instance Holbein is supposedly "artist's" gouache and they have several in their line that are made with fluorescent pigments. In the twelve tube set, both the reds and the violet have sketchy lightfastness. The two yellows are iffy too. Their 5-color primary set is good though, using a good magenta pigment. On the other hand, they have another magenta in their line that isn't lightfast. Really, just with any watercolor line, you need to look at each tube.

[@derwood206]

recommend Set B with 24 colors for Shin Han gouache and adding to it with individual tubes.

[@geriprior751]

Love the extent you go to test these products for us! Pasting on little black ovals! Honestly, you’re the best.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

They have benefits in the window for 2 weeks, we will see how they hold up. Fingers crossed!

[@Gemma_Mave]

With designer's gouache, lightfastness is not expected :P I love the consistency and pigmentation about those, I find them quite comparable to the Holbein's but a little less shiny when applied thick. In my country I can't find them easily so Holbein's are my go to, but if I could find them easily I would have both Holbein and these.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

These are not shiny when thick unless they get rubbed with sinething.

[@Gemma_Mave]

@@thefrugalcrafter yeah they are pretty awesome

[@kittari4077]

I just started painting a year ago and have been learning so much off of your videos and overall reviews. I never comment because I feel like I have nothing useful to contribute but I wanted to say thank you Lindsay for the wonderful content and always being so forthcoming with your reviews! Side note, they're not new but by any chance have the SUI gouache paint sets ever been reviewed on this channel? (Curiosity getting the best of me again)

[@spktme]

@Ohmygouache just did a review of them a day or so ago if you want to check it out. She bought the small set loved it and so on her Black Friday haul she bought all the individual bigger tubes they sell with very unexpected results. It is so worth watching hope that helps. I've put that in my cart so many times but keep deciding no on the end.😂

[@thefrugalcrafter]

I haven't used it, sorry.

[@kittari4077]

Thank you so so much for the recommendation, going to look into it now!@@spktme

[@art-alchemy]

Hi Lindsay, I was watching this review yesterday and I think I invoke the Christmas spirit because I check it out on Amazon right now and the current price is $33 dollars. I have order myself one! BIG Thanks for this wonderful review! Maria

[@elizabethjehnzen]

I taped a lightfast test up in my window once and hummingbirds kept investigating it!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Oh no!

[@lynnephelps2370]

Sarah Burn's blog, The Fearless Brush, has a six month light-fast test result on 8 gouache brands including Shinhan. She also has a video on her art channel. If you want to geek out about gouache, she's your girl! I'm mainly painting in sketchbooks, but the major problem I have with Shinhan gouache is finding it open stock from a US supplier. I have a mix of artist-grade brands, why limit yourself, right?😉

[@zenlife1200]

I was going to mention Sarah too. Her channel and blog are really useful

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Great, I'm gonna look now!

[@ShariArts]

Shin Han gouache is a fabulous price from Artemiranda in Spain and shipping is not expensive and you can buy ope stock. I highly recommend them and get most of my paints from them, including some watercolors. Artemiranda is wonderful and I now use them instead of Jacksons if they have what I want.

[@ShariArts]

I sold my Holbein gouache and much prefer Shinhand. But my favorite gouache is from Stoneground Paint Company in Canada.

[@suew4609]

Yes, Sarah is great! I love watching her paint in W/C and gouache!

[@suew4609]

I’m glad you mentioned Sarah Burns. She is a great artist and I enjoy watching her paint in gouache and watercolor. She does great photography from Scotland. You’re a great artist, too, Lindsay! Thanks for reviewing these Shihan gouache paints. I’ll be interested in the results of your lightfast test! I have a Holbein, and a Windsor Newton mixing set. I recommend getting one of them, too, if you’re new to mixing, as you can mix just about any color with them. One of those sets and an extra tube of titanium white and you’re set!

[@smitachengappa]

This was a really useful review. I really liked the shinhan watercolours, so I was curious about their gouache. I think this had helped me decide to pass on these, so thank you for saving me some money Lindsay!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Glad it was helpful!

[@susansacco7583]

5 or 6 takes? We love you💕🎁 Thanks for reviewing this gouache And doing lightfast test!💪💕 Love my Holbein gouache 5 set! The cyan and magenta gorgeous! You’re resilient!💕

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Any time!

[@CeruleanCzarina]

I really appreciated this review, Lindsay. Also, I am pretty sure that Kimberly Crick has done lightfastness tests on these and posted the results to her blog. Not sure if she tested all of the colors in this range but pretty sure she tested some.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

I'll check!

[@Paintsplash4]

You are so right that the color selection is a little off, probably marketed to kids. Kimberly Crick says the PR17 is a rare pigment, so it would be fun to have for that reason. And your lightfast test is valid. Those who put their paints directly in a window to test lightfastness aren't testing as most paintings would be hung. I bought the Holbein 12 color set because I'm a rube and because I found them for $38! 4 of the tubes are non-light fast including a Napthol Red and fluorescent violet. But opening the box was like opening candy and the violet is fun under fluorescent lighting. No worries. If our paintings ever become legendary, museums will display them in the virtual dark...so they'll be safe. (FYI, Daniel Smith has 78 gouache colors now.)

[@thefrugalcrafter]

I heard they were expanding!

[@saral.1933]

You hit the nail on the head when you said you like the brand but you did not approve of that particular set. They have lightfast ratings on the pigments and I believe the ASTM rating is more accurate than any we can do by placing the paints in our windows. Even if the paints in your window don’t show much change in the middle of winter up in Maine, ha ha You will never feel quite secure using them for a painting you will sell or put up on your wall. I think you stated it well in that you completely enjoyed painting with them, and you specified that there is an issue with the lightfast quality of two or three of the pigments. That is the best you can do and you will have to walk away from it from there in order to keep your integrity. No matter how much you really wish to give them a positive A+ plus review you just cannot do it. You are protecting your followers and we appreciate that. Good luck & happy holidays!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Thank you:)

[@K_rye]

Great review, but the best part for me was the explanation of cool and warm blues. Makes so much sense now! Thanks

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Mandrake_root]

It's interesting to me that you noticed how they get shiny when they get rubbed with other paper. That happens to me all the time, every gouache painting I've ever done in a sketchbook has shiny bits where the paper texture is raised because it has rubbed against the other page. If I take my fingernail and press it across any color, they get a little shiny bc its like you buffed the surface. W&N, Holbein, M. Graham, Daniel Smith, Turner. They all do it. Same with acrylic gouache. It's pretty frustrating haha. I always relish my sketchbook gouache paintings right after they're finished since they won't always look so nice

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Good point. I may start spraying them with fixative and see how it looks.

[@joanieartspringer8551]

I spent hours reviewing all the Shinhan Gouache and just purchased the following split primary set from Jackson Art for under $50 inc shipping to the U.S. Cad yell light Cad yellow Cad red Primary magenta Ultra deep Primary cyan I believe these are all very good lightfast, single pigment and am so excited to receive them. Also ordered the 12 set you review here.....probably unnecessary but will have fun with them. Thanks so much for this review and all your reviews.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Awesome! The only color that faded in my window was the violet so the lightfastness in the 12 set was better than I thought!

[@gwensimmons_gigi1629]

Definitely interested in your light fast test, Lindsay! Great vid & review!🎉❤

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Yay! Thank you!

[@alexserra9605]

The marbles are awesome!!!!! They look so realistic amazing

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@jennw6809]

Thank you for talking me out of this set! I kept looking at it recently but you are right, some of the line has disappointing pigments. Of course some colors are just fine. I bought a tube of Cobalt Turquoise, open stock, from Jackson's last year. It's lovely and a great price. I agree PV 15 should not have faded, how strange, especially considering that it actually granulated. Then again it looks awfully bright for PV15. Perhaps they add brightener. I guess I should test my Cobalt Turquoise?

[@jessieg4901]

I was really blessed to find an amazing deal on the Holbein gouache set of 18 15ml tubes, $45 bucks a while back! But I’m kicking myself for not buying the 24 set on Amazon when it was selling for $80, now it skyrocketed to $150!!! Dang it! 😂feeling that “full set syndrome” lol

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Same. I wish i snagged one of those sets!

[@GreenSharpieScience]

There is an artist who did a long term lightfast test of all her gauche and I know she really likes this brand. I’m blanking on her name but she’s an American in Scotland and does beautiful landscapes! Sarah Burns I think. Also the painting experience between the shinhan and jelly gauche is night and day. I prefer how this handles over Holbein and every other brand I’ve tried.

[@jennifersjunkmail5935]

Sarah Burn Studio KZbin channel.

[@GreenSharpieScience]

@@jennifersjunkmail5935 thanks!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

I checked her blog, I don't she tested the colors I have tho. I'll have to ask her:)

[@writeasrainy]

I’ve been binging your videos. XD Thank you so much for your content. Please do review Da Vinci Gouache (and Watercolor again too?) if you can! I don’t find as many videos about that brand compared to others and I’m interested to know how the perform. :)

[@dee-ellencook763]

Would love a review also of that brand, please!

[@creativesolutionstoart]

Yes! One of the reasons I don’t own it it’s because I don’t see a whole lot of information out here… I did find a 5 ounce tube of da Vinci white gouache on Amazon for $19… I wanted something economical yet good to mix across brands when I run out of white :-) wish they sold the colors too

[@mjpete27]

I simply had to comment. DaVinci is a full service paint company! They sell watercolor, gouache, acrylic, oil, paints a full line of colors in each medium. I understand Lindsay purchased a new set of DaVinci gouache and it is on her list for review. I can say I have a big tube of white gouache paint from DaVinci and it is lovely! I am just not a fan of gouache paints, I did use them for years and I just don’t think of it as a permanent medium, weird I know, but every painting I created for a client was photographed and filed into the circular file. Yep, that is what they called the trash can!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Great suggestion! I bought some during the black Friday sale!

[@wenscarlet9002]

I bought some open stock on sale from Jackson's around 3.50 they deliver to US

[@derwood206]

I've been looking at the Shin Han sets for last couple months waiting for an Amazon sale and after reviewing pigment and lightfast info for the sets, set B with 24 tubes is the BEST for lightfast colors. I will add individual tubes to build out the palette with cool yellow, a lightfast violet, black and white, etc. Daniel Smith and Schmincke artists brands seem to have the best selection of lightfast colors and I find Holbein and Winsor & Newton are better curated as individual tubes after the initial starter sets. Nothing beats the price of the sets over individual tubes though ;) The Irodori Holbein sets have a lot of non-lightfast pigments used. Winsor & Newton designer gouache is my favorite

[@thefrugalcrafter]

That's good to know, thanks!

[@joannecarroll5504]

Hey Lindsay, I always get a chuckle out of your reviews because you spend so much time almost apologising for what you don't like in a product to ensure you're being seen to be fair. You explained thoroughly what you didn't like, but what you overlooked or perhaps just didn't mention & what may have been relevant is that gouache isn't just another of variety watercolours. Gouache has been around for centuries, specifically designed/modified over time, so that unlike watercolours, the medium would cover up the paper (or any other stratum). Its more modern tweaks & developments have been due to its widespread use in the design, publishing & advertising industries who relished its matte texture & high colour for their reproduction qualities. The original was never put on display, it was kept in the artist's sketchbook, so it didn't need a lightfastness rating. The art posters, magazine or book publications, film promotion posters or print advertisements were produced in another medium altogether, so the lightfastness of the gouache has never mattered. Selling what was once a niche product for professional art folk to us mere mortals in the past was pointless, as it didn't do what most would like it to do - they couldn't hang it up & put it on display. Our barely-there winters & now we're heading into in 45degC summers means we have all the UV light in the world down here, but even in these conditions Kmart (an unrelated discount store) manages to sell gouache. It appears that the mere mortals are now the ones with disposable income & art suppliers are shoving supplies out the door without any suggestion to the (uneducated) consumer that it may unstable or require special care in our unforgiving climate. Perhaps you're right, maybe now that the market has changed, producers should improve light-fastness. At the very least perhaps they should be informing their new customers what they should & shouldn't expect from a product that wasn't always available direct to the public? At least yours have that LOL.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Good points. This paint states lightfast ratings so if they are going to say it's lightfast it should be but I am skeptical. That's why I'm picky here.

[@spktme]

Lindsey is it possible that the mission gouache (which is known to be shiny) transfered the shine on to the DS gouache? I tried looking at the oreo since it wasn't rubbed against the mission but couldn't really tell in the video. I haven't heard anyone else say DS was having a shine issue...does anyone else heard? Oh,I forgot to say this was a great video and review and why so many come to you before buying art supplies. You are honest and have the experience to really judge a product but also you think about our wallets and so many on KZbin only think of theirs and certainly not if this would be good for us. ❤ So, thank you for putting the work and time into these in depth reviews.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

No, is the surface if the gouache getting rubbed. Blank paper ot the back of your fingernail will do it too.

[@lynncooper1781]

A beautiful presentation on gouache.❤🎨🖌️

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Thanks!

[@BirdwithaBrush]

I suspect most matte paints will get a little shiny with burnishing. The matting agent added to paints is made of tiny particulates. It makes the dried paint surface a little more irregular so that when light hits the surface and bounces off, it bounces off in a lot of different directions. Something looks glossy when more light rays bounce off the surface in unison. When the matte surface is rubbed it smooths down the little irregularities that make it look matte. Matting agent also increases the opacity of a paint, so it does double duty in gouache. If you compare dried matte medium to gloss medium, you'll see the matte looks just a little bit hazy or cloudy.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Great explanation!

[@lynnephelps2370]

Did you see Daniel Smith has released a ton more gouache colors including all the ones you missed in the Amber Gambler painting? 😉

[@thefrugalcrafter]

I heard they were going to.

[@erinaceus]

I have been very happy using Holbein products but was very curious about these paints. I really appreciate your thoroughness and transparency when reviewing supplies for us. A good deal (on the surface) isn't always a good deal and sometimes I need to be reminded of that... BTW, do you have any Holbein brushes or brush reviews? Kind regards...

[@thefrugalcrafter]

No, I've never seen their brushes.

[@mikepolo2887]

I bought some cadmiums from ShinHan open stock and am really happy with them.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Good to hear!

[@martinanelsonartandpsychol6478]

I agree with Nancy. Schmincke for example has a designer Gouche that is distinct from their artist Gouche in its lightfastness and consistency, because made for illustrators (which do not hang up their works). For that reason it is cheaper to produce and to sell. It’s is aimed at different needs/ a different market than the artist range.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

So is the horadam gouache the artists? I didn't know they have another line or gouache.

[@martinanelsonartandpsychol6478]

@@thefrugalcrafter they actually have 3 different sub brands of Gouche. 😀 HORADAM® Gouache AKADEMIE® Gouache DESIGNERs Gouache (according to HKS®) Yes, Horadam is their Professional artist line (same as the watercolors).

[@deborahbloom4624]

Definitely interested in the guoache light fastness test! Let us know in a Sat Chat, please. ❤

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Will do!

[@diannedupuis2960]

Sarah Burns lightfast tested these and they did really well!

[@syifarz1]

Sarah Burns Studio on youtube has done a 4 months lightfast test for these paints on her channel. They surprisingly did very well! (at least after the 4 months mark) Would be interesting to see yours as well though :)

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Good to know!

[@Beautifulmadre]

I'm mre confused naw, thanks im new to gouache but i will be watching more of your channel i love your paintings in your sketch book

[@thefrugalcrafter]

I'm sorry you are more confused, I get in the weeds a bit:)

[@SchubertFan]

IDK if anyone else has mentioned this but Dorland’s Wax is great for sealing gouache to avoid transferring from one sketchbook page to another. I learned about it from one of Sarah Burns’ videos.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Yes! Good idea:)

[@junepatterson7928]

There is UV, blue protective plexiglass on the retail market. I bought some for a small museum, all members gave a pint of blood, I swear, it was Soooo expensive.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Yikes! Normal plexi offers a decent level of uv protection.

[@marytesta3003]

Thank you for a great review and comparison. It's very helpful.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Glad it was helpful!

[@GingahSnapsArt]

Very helpful! I have a couple tubes from this brand and I looove the violet! I do! But good to know how the rest stack up too (:

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Glad it was helpful!

[@ThienKimLam]

Thank you for the detailed review! How well do these dry in a pan? I enjoy painting with gouache and prefer to use it from the tube. However, it's not as convenient for me. I've been searching for gouache that doesn't crack when put into pans. It's a toss up between these Shinhan and the Mission Titanium Goauche hybrid. Thoughts?

[@nah5491]

Mission titanium dries down amazing!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

These will crack, especially the red but if you use them as they are drying its not too bad. I was just using my eyeshadow palette I made here yhis wek and they were fine, I just added a bit more carmine back to glue it together 😆

[@ThienKimLam]

Thank you @Nah5491 and @thefrugralcrafter Sounds like my best option would be Mission Titanium

[@creativesolutionstoart]

Hi Lindsey! I had my eye on this set for a while… I love my Holbein and M Graham, but heard a lot of good things about this set/Brand. Yeah, it is a bummer when you have to pick through which ones are light fast and have to think about that too hard. I recently started taking a class so I use my cheap gouache, but at the end of some of the projects the instructor wanted to enter my work in the gallery/sale. Made me nervous and I had to scramble to think which colors I had used and if it would be suitable or not! Frustrating :-(if I’m going to pay professional prices I don’t want any unreliable pigments in the whole set! Thanks for the review :-)

[@thefrugalcrafter]

You could spay it with uv spray and mat and frame under plexiglass for protection.

[@sonyaoart]

well, I live even further from the equator than you and I've just stuck swatches of all my Prussian blue paints in the window. I suppose if there's any change in the winter months, they wouldn't stand a chance in the summer. Looking forward to your results!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Thanks!

[@maryannprzybycien2013]

They are available open stock from Jackson's if someone wants to choose their own colors. Seems like the way to go here. ❤

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Good idea!

[@ChantelleArts]

a stunning video, i loved it ❤❤❤

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Thank you so much!!

[@ginabadeaux9319]

i got the turner 12 set and the paul rubens 36 i love the paul rubenspurples i use them as watercolors till i learn to use them as gouache ,they are called opaque watercolors im sure you did a review ,i just like paints of all kinds exept for a few, gen crafts ,and arteza were awful

[@thefrugalcrafter]

I agree!

[@KatiesCraftStudio]

I've been using the Holbein CMYK set and I am enjoying it, but I wish I had a faster way to dull down some of the colors (a brown, maybe? Or do I go full warm primaries?). Do you have a recommendation of what to add to that palette? (It doesn't need to be the same brand)

[@spktme]

If you check her review of the holbein mixing set she states the two or three colors she would add to the mixing set to get the full range easier. If I had time I'd go find it for you but I don't and I certainly don't trust my memory to get it right.😂 I love earth colors and blues...have to stop before my crazy color addiction starts showing!😂 good luck

[@KatiesCraftStudio]

@@spktme ok, thanks I'll go rewatch

[@spktme]

@@KatiesCraftStudio Welcome! You can try using the opposite on the color wheel to dull down or tone them down in the mean time. Like a little red in the green until you get the right desaturated color you want. Or yellow for purple and vice versa. If I'm getting what your trying to do if not sorry and just disregard. 😂 I love playing with the amount you can add and the different colors you can get before you get total desaturation into gray. Such beautiful moody colors and love Dr. Oto Kano's video where she found the exact colors for her color wheel instead of just yellow and purple if interested in watching. Have a great day!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

I'd add the Daniel smith mixing set if 4 plus burnt umber.

[@KatiesCraftStudio]

@@thefrugalcrafter thanks, Lindsey

[@ArtWench]

Miranda Watson has done a LOT of lightfastness tests. Don’t know if she’s done this one yet.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

I'll check, thanks!

[@katarinaholik]

Usually lf is lower with designers gouache. That is why I prefere artist gouache.

[@mjpete27]

Hullo Lindsay, I do enjoy watching your videos and your reviews are truly the best! You have a real desire to be informative about the product under review and concerned with your viewers expectations. I have seen shiny spots on pictures with several mediums, I don’t think it is a gouache “problem” but a burnishing one. I once “took” a project home that I was especially proud of. I soon understood why gouache was not a good permanent medium. That picture faded so fast I felt like it was somebody’s joke picture! Served me right for taking it home, but it was so wonderful and I felt that since it was going into the trash why not take it home? I believe special care needs to be taken with gouache if you are going to treat it as an Artist quality medium. I guess that I have taken special care of watercolors, thinking about it, I know watercolor paintings are supposed to be matted and framed behind glass and UV protective glass is best! So why not treat a gouache painting with similar care? I am truly curious about how the DaVinci gouache will stack up against the more expensive brands! I have broken down and used white gouache from DaVinci for some highlights on a few watercolor paintings and it was wonderful. I am sure my Gran is turning over in her grave(poetic license here), but I am embracing the new wave of artists and the use of white in my watercolor paintings! Thank you for sharing your amazing review of this paint Lindsay, your a true gem yourself!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

You are correct, it us s burnishing problem. Thank you:)

[@joymiller9668]

If you mix the yellow with white will it cool it down?

[@thefrugalcrafter]

I don't think thr white is that cool, it would desaturate it and could make some mixes muddy.

[@veystone2580]

Yay! Thank u for sharing! ❤😊

[@thefrugalcrafter]

You are so welcome!

[@gewurztramina]

The link for the product says it’s not available

[@thefrugalcrafter]

It's showing 8 in stock for me when I click the link. Are you outside the usa?

[@gewurztramina]

@@thefrugalcrafter yes

[@Foxweed]

MORE BREAD?

[@thefrugalcrafter]

I filmed this a couple weeks ago 😆

[@BitterSweetNitemare]

I love Shinhan’s paints but I definitely try to buy individually so I can pick out the lightfast colors. Like you said, if you’re paying for artist grade, you want the lasting ability! The sets are a pretty darn good value tho, especially if you do prints. Great review as always! Btw have you tried the Jo Sonja matte Acrylics? Or the Sennelier Matt abstract acrylics? I’ve been infatuated with matte acrylics lately and comparing them to acrylic gouache and thought it’d be something you’d be curious about too (not to encourage more spending, of course 🫠)

[@thefrugalcrafter]

I haven't used jo sonatas in ages, but yes, they are good! I've used the regular abstract acrylics but not matte. I have too much acrylic to use up before I think about getting more, and I don't use acrylic that much to begin with.