Exploring Your First Watercolor Set

Just bought your first watercolor box set? In this video are tips to help you understand the included colors and how they work with one another.
How to read watercolor label for pigment info:
• How to Read Labels on ...
How to paint color charts:
• How to paint watercolo...
-- Affiliate links --
Find more watercolour products at:
Dick Blick Art Materials (US) - bit.ly/dick-blick-art
Jackson's Art (UK) - bit.ly/jacksonsart-uk
Find me on
KZbin: / teohyc
ParkaBlogs: www.parkablogs.com
Facebook: / parkablogs
Twitter: / parkablogs
Flickr: www.flickr.com/photos/parkablogs
Instagram: / parkablogs
Gumroad: gumroad.com/parkablogs
Patreon: / parkablogs

[@TheSgyro]

Swatching is a great way to just start off and get over the "new supply phase", like how it's tough to do the first drawing in a new sketchbook 😄

[@lorijones9579]

The Sennelier aqua mini was my first set and also my first ever watercolor paints. I removed the plastic and added more half pans, because 15 half pans fit in the box, which is very like an Altoids tin. I also painted the lid with white enamel paint to make it a more effective mixing surface. That also made it my first travel set. I don't know what happened to the little brush. I added some Winsor & Newton half pans, yellow ochre, cobalt turquoise light, alizarin crimson, dioxazine purple, Indian yellow, permanent rose, and quinacridone gold. It's a good set and I still use it.

[@MarceloJost]

I don't know if anyone has commented below, but seems that the French red is Cadmium based. From this two things happen: (A) the color becomes opaque and (B) the cadmium pigment absorbs the violet light wave length and turns the blue-red mixture muddy and dark and not the intended purple color that teachers teach us. This happens to all cadmium based pigments. In fact, this info might help a lot of people. Perhaps you could do a video showing that cadmium based red pigments are not good to make purple mixtures. That's why you had to change to Perm Rose, which is not Cadmium based and, therefore, do not absorb the purple wave-length. Anyway, thank you very much for your videos and keep the wonderful job.

[@recoveringsoul755]

Interesting. a couple of months ago I picked up a Watercolor set at Costco. some no name thing. 10 tubes of paint and 1 tube of white Gouache. 12 watercolor pencils that don't even say what color they are. 2 pencils and a sharpener, 3 brushes, a little plastic pallet with 6 little wells. An instruction book and 10 sheets of "Quality" watercolor paper 140lb CP. It has Hookers Green Prussian Blue Payne's Grey Cerulean Blue Burnt Sienna Cadmium Red* Alizarin Crimson Burnt Umber Yellow Ochre and Cadmium Yellow* I think I need an Ultramarine Blue, if I keep it. I haven't even swatched them because I wasn't sure if I'd keep it. I got myself a little set of Prang colors and have been playing with those. These tubes, I have no pans to put them into. the tubes of paint say made in China and "Spice Box"

[@justacatwhocantype]

It's PR242 - that is disazo condensation scarlet, and is not a cadmium pigment . The reason that it does not mix a typical purple is plain and simply because it takes a cool red to mix a clean purple.

[@marigasudaisuki]

Schnörkel ajneF this is true! and additionally, cadmium pigments are typically warm in tone, theres no scientific jargon like op was saying, its just that cadmium is warm, and like you said, warm pigments do not mix vibrant purples

[@PuppetMaster8707]

This guy is VERY scientific about his water colors it's quiet neat and informative

[@teohyc]

Thanks. \ (•◡•) /

[@elgabenedicta]

I find it kinda weird that more than half of the colors in the set are mixes. The French ultramarine and Phtalo green are usually single pigment colors. The packaging is also so odd. I don't know if I want to buy this Sennelier Aqua mini set. Thanks for reviewing this set Teoh! Always so good to get more information before investing/buying art supplies.

[@TreasaLynch]

I love the Sennelier Aqua mini. It caused me to select Sennelier for my big paintbox rather than WN. Especially love their blues...

[@isabellecade277]

Thank you Teoh for this very complete video. I was waiting it because I use this small box for more than a year and I wanted to know your impressions. I glued a small ring below to hold it better and white paper on the lid to better see my mixtures. Indeed the lid is small, I often clean with paper towel but when I draw outside, this small box is very convenient. I also like its colors.

[@gregorytangalos811]

Thank you ...well done ...you have shown the limitations of a very small pallet ,,,, unless you are set in your own style , and knowledge .... Have a wonderful week... 🌱🐺🌱🐺🌱

[@PetaHewitt]

Thank you Teoh. I have a better idea on how to approach a new (and my older) water colour sets to get a better understanding of how to mix colours and where to spot what is missing from them.

[@UJB123]

Love the Sennelier 8. Outstanding! Those are their Pro French Artists paints, not their student grade. They're in that packaging to make them affordable for people to try. It's almost like a "tester" kit. In a tin with 4 more paints in half pans, they're over $60 USD. You can pop them out & put them in a half pan, they fit perfectly ... a drop of water makes them stick in. Also, you only need touch them with a wet brush to activate, no need to pre spritz. Ie, you don't need to pre wet them, that dulls them down ... it's not W&N ... they're honey based. They're in my daily urban sketching kit, highly pigmented like butter on paper.

[@boopy2t190]

Yayyyyy I'm always excited when it comes to watercolor! Thank you Teoh! :)

[@bensongoh9789]

Thank you, Teoh. I'm new to water colour. This has really taught me so much to begin with. Appreciate your demo and explanations!

[@cylenadee]

As a self taught, watercolor enthusiast, returning after a long absence, I sure appreciate your easy to understand teaching methods! I am seriously trying to learn all that I can but one thing that really boggles my brain are the confusing codes!! Just today I was wondering if there was a good but simple video out there that would help me to learn what those crazy codes mean!! I started to watch your video, Exploring Your First Watercolor Set, when you mentioned another of your videos that explains that very thing!! WOW!!! Just another great reason to SUBSCRIBE!! Thank you so much for another great teaching video and have a wonderful Christmas season and a very blessed new year!!

[@teohyc]

Thanks. I'm glad the videos are helpful

[@lori_bain]

That was really educational! Thanks, Teoh!

[@teohyc]

Thanks :-)

[@thefairfaxcurator9450]

I also have this set! I feel the same about the tin too! I love some of the paints but not others as they're not single pigments so tend to use my W&N field set now. I've just found some enamel paint so am going to repurpose it as a handbag set 😊

[@al_batross3333]

I really enjoy your videos but this one may be the most useful and interesting! Thank you!

[@TiffanyVsLife]

I've watched this 2-3 times now, great video, very informative!

[@teohyc]

+Tiffany Ng Thanks 😁

[@LeaGalTan]

Thanks for another terrific video. Your detailed reviews are very helpful!

[@teohyc]

+Debbie Riley Thanks 😀

[@PositivelyNice]

Oh my gosh that is an excellent brush!! Don't throw. And the sennelier is real good. Feels just as good as DS and schmincke from the tubes.

[@ABIXWEEZY]

PositivelyNice aww tbh its prob too late

[@TheDgrinch69]

Thanks Teoh, this was very informative.

[@user-tw2se3wz3o]

Beautiful color chart.

[@cris_tamay]

Awww that's why I can't get colors I want!!! Because of the pigments! I didn't understand what was going on when painting. This was very useful! Thank you Teoh!! I must check the pigments of my paints and do swatches and mixes because it was frustrating.

[@leodoz1016]

Wow, you reviewed the first set that I bought, but that was a long time ago. I would absolutely recommend that set to beginners who wants a more compact set, yet wants some nice quality paints. Though I don't use the set anymore, since I've cannibalized the paints on my primary watercolor box.

[@teohyc]

It sure is compact but the mixing area is a bit strange

[@leodoz1016]

actually, the clear area is for mixing too, you put it behind you paper, supposedly to have the most accurate mixing capabilities. Kinda useless though since it beads up too much for my tastes

[@MeowMeowKapow]

Woah, now that's a cool idea, Leodoz! I just use it in my hand and test the colors on a scrap piece of paper since I never trust my mixing accuracy, but using a piece of paper behind the clear window may help! Also, if anyone reads this, you could try buffing up the clear part just a little bit with the rough side of a sponge to see if it will help with the beading problem. I've also heard that a magic eraser can sometimes work, though I'm not sure!

[@vwood2]

Thanks! Great information and an excellent demo.

[@teohyc]

+Vicki Wood Thanks 😁

[@christinesnook6972]

Thanks Teoh! Great review. I have the set, but thought some of the color choices odd. I love mission gold paints and will look into making the chart you showed. Thanks so much for sharing!!

[@teohyc]

The colour choices are indeed a bit odd but definitely still usable once you understand their mixing possibilities.

[@NoName-lw1jn]

I bought a set but it's pretty expensive so I'm too afraid to use it at the moment lmao

[@missdemon92]

your videos are soo fun to watch

[@teohyc]

Thanks :-)

[@DavidLorellHoskins]

🍋🍇 Back to watercolors!!! 🍓🍏 *_Thanks_* *_Teoh_* ✨

[@teohyc]

Yeah, I notice viewers actually like watercolour and sketching content more than other types of content on my blog.

[@DavidLorellHoskins]

_True_ _for_ _me_ 🙂

[@yasminou31]

thank you I have learned a lot

[@nou257]

what was the other palette though? looks like it has a really good range of colors!

[@essietangle9931]

I bought one just for the paint. I popped them out of the plastic and used them in another set much like what Lori did. Sennelier makes wonderful paint and watercolor paper too. The paper is expensive but for me when on sale it is well worth it.Maybe one day you will be able to review the paper. Thank you for your time.

[@richieray6619]

Essie Tangle Have you tried the cold press paper of Sennelier? How does it compare to arches?

[@bugeyedmonster2]

Thanks for posting this video. PS if anyone wants an empty box, you don't have to buy paebo or whatever for the box. Just go to eBay, and search "watercolor metal box" and you'll find several sellers selling metal boxes with empty pans. (Mostly half pans.)

[@azzuparis]

Hi Teoh, very useful video. Thank you :)

[@teohyc]

+Azzu Paris Thanks 😁

[@ChibiChidorii]

Hey, in order to vary your mixing chart a little bit more, you should try to make one of the rows (horizontal or vertical) with more of one color, and the other one with less, (for example to make mixes that have the proportion 2:1, you make the horizontal row with the double amount of color than you do the vertical colors), that way your "Vermilion + Ultramarine" wont be the same as your "Ultramarine + Vermilion", because one will have more blue, while the other one will have more red.

[@TurtleGold22]

Isidora Espinoza I tried that, but I really just found it too confusing to look at. I have taken to using the othe half of the chart for a watered down sample. Not as useful maybe... Much easier on the eyes though.

[@omairjamal3027]

Very insightful video Teoh :)

[@teohyc]

Thanks 😁

[@cottonswabart8828]

My first student grade (aka not for children) was the mei liang/pretty excellent watercolors cuz they were cheap and had a lot of colors. Quality was pretty good considering it was cheaper per paint thing than the cottman set. But now I'm using the sonnet watercolors (white nights student grade), and I love them to death, they are my baby's.

[@tonymindling1898]

I think you said you would link to a how-to for making a bigger color chart. Thanks for these great videos, Teoh!

[@teohyc]

Oops. Forgot about there. Here's the link kzbin.info/www/bejne/epa1kmx_i75pabc

[@Olive-uu1vt]

Can you review lukas aquarell 1862 artists' watercolors? please

[@nomerqw14]

Theo, I think you should take a look at the watercolors Saint- Petersburg (Neva Palette)

[@SoulKeever]

Does Sennelier unload curiously strong mints on the side? That might explain their baffling color selection. Seriously though, it's an odd selection and their mixes are weird. Especially the phthalo and ultramarine mixes. French vermilion is the darling of this set, I think. Hoo, what a color!

[@MeowMeowKapow]

Yeah, I can't believe how much power is in that vermilion!

[@shadesofgray5476]

The clear section on the Sennelier lid is so you can mix colors and view what they would look like on your paper before you commit. Doesn't seem that practical but that's supposedly the purpose.

[@TurtleGold22]

Pace Yrself yeah, but that only works if your window is backed by a white surface... I mean, obviously. I cant imagine they market it that way.

[@maddy00]

I know this is an older video, but do you think you can get the hard blocks of paint removed from the sennelier set and fit them into empty half pans?

[@UJB123]

Yes, they fit perfectly. They're only in that plastic so they can be sold more affordable.

[@Liofa73]

Could you lift out the plastic part of the paint tin and mix in the area underneath?

[@teohyc]

Yes you can, but it's only one mixing well. It's gonna get messy.

[@ivanthedesigner6173]

Hi Teoh, do you have on hand the lightfast ratings for the 8 colors in the Sennelier Aqua Mini? I cannot find lightfast ratings for Sennelier student grade anywhere online. It would be a huge help to know

[@teohyc]

I don't have the lightfast info

[@ivanthedesigner6173]

Teoh Yi Chie thanks for checking!

[@ivanthedesigner6173]

Teoh Yi Chie I finally found a box image. French Vermillion, French Ultramarine, Burnt sienna & paynes grey are rated I. Cerulean, sap green & phthalo green are II. Primary yellow is not rated

[@belenpaul1845]

Hi teoh, I'm starting with watercolors and I bought a 12 set of watercolors a few weeks ago but I didn't really like them... I was looking for the shin han watercolors but I'm not sure if I shlould buy them. Could you please make a review on them?

[@teohyc]

+Belen Paul What brand did you buy? I'm not sure about Shin Han as I have not used them before. Perhaps I'll review them in the future.

[@belenpaul1845]

It's not a common brand, I think it's only selled in the country where I live. The name is Tegraph I don't know if that can help you

[@flamminia]

Im sorry but I can't find the video about reading the pigment info in the description?

[@teohyc]

Oh, I forgot to add it. It's here kzbin.info/www/bejne/n6XHnXeni7KCg5I

[@chaii_latte]

Hey Teoh, what is the watercolor set number 2? in this thumbnail photo? Is it a self made one? :>

[@teohyc]

+nope It's a Pebeo set. Lousy quality paint, but good metal box.

[@chaii_latte]

Teoh Yi Chie aww...that sucks lol. Thank you for answering! :3

[@lorenzocappai4780]

10:37 As you can see those are not primary colours which means that some mixing will be dirty. This has nothing to do with the quality of the paints. The set you have is not a primary set. If you want to mix bright colours you will have to buy a pr Mary blue (cyan) and a primary red (magenta). This is important. It would take too much time to explain why but if you want bright colours get the primary colours.

[@curtcrash9641]

Teoh, Sennelier's Cinereous Blue is NOT Phthalo Blue. Phthalo Blue is 326 while Cinereous Blue is 344 (watercolor chart here www.sennelier-colors.com/article/photo/dossier494/ColorChart-ENG-WATERCOLOR.pdf ). Cinereous Blue is meant to be an ashy blue, hence the inclusion of white. There was a previous version of this set that had a cool red (Carmine, I think?) in place of the Phthalo Green Light, but they switched it a year or so ago. That said, in general, most Sennelier palettes are marketed with plein air in mind, so the intent is naturally occurring colors and not the widest range available, so that could be why they replaced the cool red for Phthalo Green Light.

[@teohyc]

Thanks for the info. I always see PB15:3 as Phthalo Blue.

[@KaustavMukherjeeFineArt]

Thanks for the review. Colors are not even bright and the color choices are also not well thought after. Its not good to see that the company which was the major vendor to the impressionists, is not thinking too hard.

[@teohyc]

I'm going to use the Sennelier set more to get a better understanding of these colours to put out a proper review.

[@jasneskis]

You have 2 boxes pictured but never mentioned the second box. I thought it was pebeo because of the size and mixing area. Then I thought you would suggest replacing those pans as you could afford it, or dumping their paint and filling their pans with good tube paint.

[@teohyc]

+jasneskis It's a Pebeo box. The paints are lousy but metal box is good. I'll do another video on what colours to add and replace in the future. This video is just on exploring colours that you've already bought.

[@haicautrang5304]

Ahh I love Sennelier. Do you have any advice on how to start a youtube channel?

[@MeowMeowKapow]

My advice: Just start it. My second video is coming out tomorrow, and I'd recorded the footage for my first and held onto it for a month or so. I realized that if I didn't just start, even if my first video wasn't 'perfect,' I was never going to do it. Record something with whatever you already have and let that first pancake flip right out of the pan into the world. Like any art, you'll learn as you go and get better and better and better. But for now, just take that first step. You're ready, I promise.

[@teohyc]

+Rebecca Nelson I may make a video about that in the future. Meanwhile, you can check out my articles at www.parkablogs.com/tags/internet-marketing-artists

[@marjoriejohnson6535]

I have tried/ swatched/ painted with at least 30 brands / levels of watercolor. I dislike sennelier student grade. Dealer rowny, grumbacher, cotman/ winsor newton are all better in my eyes.

[@Angelwrites]

Aren’t they made to layer?

[@marjoriejohnson6535]

@@Angelwrites the professional grade of Sennelier does it beautifully but the student grade not so...requires alot of extra work to come close . Others in the student grade do better.

[@marjoriejohnson6535]

@@Angelwrites cotman is the lowest on the list of those I did mention. I suggest if starting with student grade replace used colors with professional grade one at a time so your pocket doesn't get hit all at once.

[@UJB123]

The 8 are their Pro grade, not the student grade. 😉

[@blacklikethesun]

First

[@SilverNachtmahr]

GaijinHunter congrats?

[@katsmith8263]

Oh, this is so tiny!

[@luiscoronado3931]

stop laziness and go to paint