Can Paint This Cheap Be Any Good? (Rosa Gallery Watercolor Review)

Today we are finally going to be reviewing Rosa Gallery Watercolors: amzn.to/3yb38y8 (affiliate links used)
They recently popped up on Amazon and I purchased a 12 color set to try. The price on that set has increased so if you are interested in trying out these I recommend the 24 set in the cardboard box as the best value: amzn.to/3ztFpZW There are sts in tins that are also a good value, be sure to look at the color selections before deciding to make sure it contains the colors you like best. amzn.to/3yb38y8
Visit this blog post for photos of charts and swatches: thefrugalcraft...
Please note I am reviewing the professional Rosa Gallery watercolors, they also make a student grade line called Rosa Studio which I have not tried.
Pros:
*Extremely saturated clean and vibrant color
*Quick to rewet
*Open stock availabe: amzn.to/2VcSWGI *Although they are much more economial in sets per pan
*Price (much lower than other comprible brands)
*Mixes well
*Contain real cadmiums which are usually very expensive
*Pigment info disclosed
Cons:
*These are a liquid poured pan that can become sticky in humid enviroments so probably not the best for travel as an sideways palette could get messy.
*These can be hard to find in the USA, I jump on the chance to order a set when they came in stock on Amazon.
*Most of the sets have Cadmium colors in them so not suitable for children. Also many artists wish to avoid cadmium so I thought I'd list it here as it is a con for some.
Bottom line:
You really can't go wrong with these paints at this price. I know the price fluxuates on Amazon so I'd say these are totally worth a try if they are less than $2 per pan in sets especailly if in a tin. I'll probably get more if I have the oopurtunity to! Visit the Rosa Gallery Store: amzn.to/36Xi5aL
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Music: Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
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[@anayansi5275]

Hi Lindsay and fellow frugal crafters… Thought I would share this hack… I have been using Rosa since 2019 and also live in a very humid climate. I save those little silica packets that come in my vitamins and reuse them by popping them in my Rosa box and tins to reduce the moisture in the paints. It seems to keep them in the pans. Hope this helps and keep the video coming. Fave triad: Violet, English Red and Cobalt Turquoise - OH WHAT FUN! Thanks for all you do for the WORLD OF COLOR!

[@chrismalone617]

I like Rosa. They have some unique colors that have come out in the last 12 months. Pans and tubes. They are even cheaper here in Ukraine. :)

[@thefrugalcrafter]

That's awesome! I don't know how they make them at that price.

[@chrismalone617]

@Kamalita Rajagopalan they seem about the same to me. They dry sticky like the pans are sticky. They are just as heavy with pigment. I the pans are the same formula, just poured. The pans aren’t extruded.

[@JestemGlonojadem]

I appreciate this review so much! I'm glad you mentioned that they're not similar to White Nights, I'd definitely agree with that :) I originally wasn't interested in Rosa Gallery just because I worried they weren't any different from them (I don't like White Nights at all), but then your video piqued my interest. And holy smokes do I enjoy these paints now! I ended up collecting almost 40 colours, haha. I really like how these watercolours handle, they don't cauliflower regardless of their crazy flow, they're bright and robust. A total steal too, considering they're professional quality. Thank you & glory to Ukraine!

[@rikkimaru1]

Greetings from Ukraine! Thank you for such a detailed review. These are my favorite watercolor paints (although I have tried only three brands) In our country, these paints are the cheapest (about $ 1 for pans)

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Great price!

[@huskytail]

There's no catch unfortunately. Ukraine has struggled economically due to the geopolitical situation and the salaries are pretty low, even for Eastern Europe. I wish them well, so the next set I buy will be one of those, but when the general economic level is low, the prices are low too 😟

[@thefrugalcrafter]

I wish them the best as well. They make some darn fine paint!

[@chrismalone617]

@@thefrugalcrafter It's so great that they are gaining traction outside of Ukraine. This will help the company continue. They actually make a full line of both craft grade and fine art grade supplies. They recently came out with a line of brushes that are pretty good. Their oil paints are exceptional also. And priced very competitively as well. Plus they have all kinds of other art supplies. And all made right here in Ukraine 🇺🇦!

[@djhadaverde]

You are so right. I must say, I like them more than the White Nights! I really recommend them to everybody.

[@djhadaverde]

@Kamalita Rajagopalan I have both and they are wonderful! The tubes reminds me to Sennelier watercolours, they never dry completely, they remain juicy and sticky :D I just love them :)

[@slvva]

Rosa Gallery its actually more expensive than Roman Szmal. Those are quite normal prices in central or western Europe since I remember.

[@MyLadyAmalthea]

I’m so glad you reviewed this paint! I recently bought the 12 set and the White Nights 12 set and actually ended up liking the Rosa set more!

[@dominofalling2038]

I am in the UK and just bought myself the 12 set, thank you for the recommendation, watercolours are my guilty pleasure. So much fun, playing like I did as a kid. Thank you Lindsey for the inspiration, the happy Sat Chats and being an inspiration on KZbin. Congratulations on 20 years of marriage x

[@bbrown8353]

You did it again!! They are out of stock but "in stock soon" at the new price of 16.99. Amazon should be paying you even if people don't go direct from your link!!! I love your reviews.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

If the price if the 12 set rises you might consider the 24 set for a few dollars more. It has a violet and other nice colors including all the ones in the 12 set. You can't go wrong!

[@sueallen952]

@@thefrugalcrafter out of stock in the 🇬🇧 perhaps they can't keep up with the demand

[@KimberlyCrick]

Rosa Gallery's Magenta PR122 is by far the most beautiful intense version I've ever tried in any pro grade brand, I really wish it was easier to get them individually here in the USA. There are a couple pan set options that include that Magenta, which is actually SO good I'd change my mind about what set to get based on it lol. They share some of the same ingredients and pigment sources that White Nights gets for their paints and definitely can get a bit sticky. Until they become stocked at a shop like Jackson's/Blick I don't see them being able to compete with White Nights for that individual replacement convenience. I found the single magenta on etsy once and bought 3 pans of it just to never run out :D

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Thanks for chiming in! I wanted to try these since your review. I'll look for that color:)

[@simonettahelena986]

You have to keep an eye open for sales, I have gotten some great deals that way,…like, $13 for an entire (cardboard) set! Magenta full pan + cobalt blue included!

[@tv-bb6vg]

aaaaargh !!!! I do not need those. I do not need those. I have a 36 set of White Nights waiting for me at my boyfriend's, I DO. NOT. NEED. THOSE. Thanks for the review - and the granulation tests, those really made my heart go boom.

[@mariusvaiciulis5072]

well, when i buy yet another set of paints, it is not because i need it, it is because i want it :)

[@tv-bb6vg]

@@mariusvaiciulis5072 NOT HELPING ! Aaaaaaargh...personally I always build up a huge list of pros and cons, that usually helps me. For example, what's in it I don't already have, aren't there any single pigment tubes in a good name brand I wouldn't like for the price, how much have I used what I already have, is the tin also easy to repurpose for other WC, what's the balance between cheap for-sketchbook-use-only watercolors and high quality ones in my stash...yeah, I know.

[@mariusvaiciulis5072]

@@tv-bb6vg well, that is a really sad way to make a decision.

[@tv-bb6vg]

@@mariusvaiciulis5072 it is A way to make a decision, among many, and that suits my depleted wallet. Have a good day.

[@mariusvaiciulis5072]

@@tv-bb6vg yes, it is. the happynes of your wallet is inversely proportional to your own happyness at times indeed. :)

[@Ravyne]

Thanks for reviewing these, Lindsay. I'd just seen them on Amazon this weekend and was kind of iffy about buying them because of how cheap they are, but now, I may just order them. I also appreciate all of your knowledge about the paints (the mixed pigments, opaqueness, and transparency) and have never had anyone explain all of that the way you did. Any chance you may write a book on that topic? Hope you have an artful week ahead!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

I would if there was a publisher interested.

[@Ravyne]

@@thefrugalcrafter It would be lovely if you could find an interested publisher. Some of the information you gave today, my watercolor art teacher in college didn't even mention. I am sure I am not the only one who was never taught some of that information. And I know self-taught watercolorists probably don't know much of it either. Anyway, just putting it out there into the Universe and maybe it will happen! I'd snatch a book of that information up in a heartbeat!

[@katzarm]

@@thefrugalcrafter You could always do a e-book and list it as a automatic download on Etsy - just like so many of the decorative painting epatterns and ebooks are now listed. Also, many of the decorative designers list the ebooks on the website and send the ebook in a email.

[@mjpete27]

If you watch videos on the channel "In Liquid Color" Denise has loads of pertinent information and has even taught me, a watercolor painter of over 40 years a thing or three!

[@Ravyne]

@@mjpete27 Thanks... I will check him out.

[@ClarkFineArt]

The granulation 🤩 I love when watercolors do that. Really appreciate that you talk about pigments by their pigment number, it really helps vs just seeing a company’s name for the color, not all are the same and knowing the pigment used makes all the difference. 🤦🏼‍♀️ another set of watercolors on the wishlist. Thanks Lyndsay 😊

[@sondrabrown442]

Great thorough review! I love seeing your mixes, that is so helpful. I’m going to watch again and take notes. I grabbed the botanical set, couldn’t resist 😉 Thanks Lindsay!

[@gwensimmons_gigi1629]

Great ROSA review Lindsay!! Yes love that mint! 😂🥰👍🏾 Thank you Lindsay!!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

My pleasure!

[@3ooth]

thank you Lindsay, am happy you talked about one of my current fav paints, they've been my go to palette for the past 2 years or so. similar to you, they don't remind me of the white nights, but of the popular asian brands plus the color movement. i love english red is very beautiful and it granulates, became stable in my stash, they also have a nice rose color called madder rose but i don't think it's very lightfast, but still a very lovely color.

[@jewelsauls3103]

I really think making mixing and value mixing charts is one of the best ways to learn what your paints can do. I also think taking two colors and making a spectrum is helpful. The lack of a quin rose or magenta kept me from ordering one of these sets. A blessing, since I REALLY don't need any more paint! :-)

[@letspaintit6961]

Ooof! These are so different but they didn’t turn out as bad as I thought! Thanks for this review!

[@leenb.7936]

Thanks Lindsay, I just bought this set because of your review. Was debating for a while and another artist didn’t like them in works after loving them in swatches. So I kept going back and forth whether to buy them or not. But this review (and the many comments too, so if any of those people read this, thanks to you as well!) has eased my mind about the quality of the paints. I like and do more art like yours and do almost nothing like the other artist so I’m pleased with my purchase. Bought the biggest set 😅😇

[@thefrugalcrafter]

I've done several paintings with these and even bought a larger set because i like them so much!

[@leenb.7936]

@@thefrugalcrafter I just might have to repurchase these upon arrival 😂 I was bummed that I lost out on de yellow tin Sonnet and the White Nights (wanna support artists everywhere but I don’t wanna support Russia in any way) but with what I’m seeing and reading here, this might just have turned out as a better deal for me with the Rosa Gallery instead 💜

[@donnalieblick8478]

I bought these in the set of 24 several months ago and I adore them. They are on my desk right now. Love them.

[@mariusvaiciulis5072]

was using rosa paints for more than a year now, and was wondering, when they will explode on youtube, since they are really good, but were kind of unnoticed. some people claim (usually russians), that rosa paints are the same as white nights, but i find it to be so far from truth that it hurts.

[@debrhodes7021]

Lol Lindsay! This was a fun review!Your excitement over these paints is infectious! I was determined that I was only going to listen to the review and before I knew it, I was over on Amazon checking them out…hahaha. And you had me cracking up as you described the colors that result from mixing with ochre as both modern and vintage! What magic have these Rosa paint makers conjured?!! Thanks for the thorough and entertaining review !

[@thefrugalcrafter]

😆

[@waymire01]

I recently made a small palette to follow an artist that uses sepia as their "dark".. and I have fallen in love with it. It looks good mixed with everything.

[@terryclark4589]

Thanks for the review....I ordered mine today....They do have very beautiful colors, can't wait to start mixing and painting with them.

[@starshinesoldier]

Such a gorgeous paint set! I’m glad you mentioned mijello mission gold. I love those paints. Thank you for such a detailed review! These are going onto my Christmas wish list! :)

[@momma8487]

they have a mono pigmented sets now that i love -i believe 21 colors and 12. i got the 12 set and it’s been perfect for mixing. these are ukraine based and they’re oil paints are said to be top notch as well. i placed an order for them on etsy and it was like 11 dollars. i can’t wait to explore the world of oil colors. would love to see some reviews on van gogh and other oil/acrylic sets!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Thanks for sharing!!

[@gaila.c.602]

Hi Lindsay. LOL "It's a bummer umber". You continue to amaze me with your vast knowledge of watercolors, etc! TFS

[@viridian4388]

Thanks. Had to put you on 1.5 speed to get things moving, but I'm very glad you talked about the granulation. I've unfortunately bought too many paints that utterly fail to granulate, so no matter how cheap they are, if they don't give me texture, I do not need them.

[@whyiwakeearlycreative]

In the US, I purchase the White Night singles from the Etsy Seller Omnia Pro Art supplies located in Florida. They have the Rosa brand listed and in singles, too! Kimberley Krick Art highly recommended the Magenta Rose from Rosa. Thanks for the review!

[@jendubay3782]

Wow, the tubes are cheaper than Renessans’ pans even, wow.

[@lookupdownAni]

Very good review, Lindsay! Very helpful!

[@user-wk1mw9nj3i76]

Great review! I bought the 24 full pan Rosa Gallery traditional set in their blue metal tin a couple of years ago, from a different seller and for more money, and have been very happy with them. I use them all the time. Here’s some more info for the WC community: the metal tin is quite high quality (better than Meeden types) and it’s a very pretty med-dark blue, with a pure white enamel interior. Flawless fit and condition, too. So I’m a big fan of the metal tin! Also, because I have the full “traditional” set, part of which is reviewed here, I can tell you that the Cobalt Blue (a pigment I use a lot) is my all-brands favorite, for the quality of color and delicately beautiful granulation. My comparison brands are Daniel Smith, Winsor & Newton, and Holbein. I’m not a huge granulation painter in other brands, but I love the amount and kind of granulation in the Rosa Gallery UltraBl, Cobalt and Umbers. A prettier granulation?? Also, this brand is the only Yellow Ochre I use; it can be more transparent or more opaque as needed in a mix. I think this is sort of a paint set for those who don’t need super opaque, heavy granulation, but do like some granulation possibilities. Also, I had the same reaction at first of wondering if the paints would be used up quickly, but actually they’re not worse than WN, DS, etc. They rewet really easily in very dry conditions, but have never sloshed out of the pan (like M. Graham can here in a humid Minnesota summer.) So traveling to art classes with the metal tin set has been mess-free! The seller I bought from included a free and excellent natural-hair squirrel brush in my order, but that doesn’t mean the current seller will. I’m not connected with the Rosa company or the Ukraine in any way. I saw a Russian painter living in Montreal who really liked them, after a friend gave him some to try. The friend said, “grab these before they’re gone or the price goes up!” I think perhaps they’re a true bargain because the Ukraine is in tough shape economically after its war with Russia, so labor and production costs must be low. NOTE: There’s a student line of Rosa watercolors, so make sure you buy the Rosa Gallery level for the artist grade paints. I think they’re a real steal of a price for true and interesting artist-grade paints.

[@TheSpinDoctor]

Love the ultramarine-umber mix - I use cobalt blue with burnt umber often for storms.

[@susanfisher9751]

I ordered the 12 set after watching your loose floral video .. st $13.99 and got it via Amazon prime in 2 days. SO GLAD I DID ... now it's more expensive and a month out. They are vivid !

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Im so glad you like them! (And you got them before the price jump!)

[@gailrodgers3079]

I would love to see the technical way you do this chart. I have gotten more interested in mixing colors since I got a book on mixing acrylics and oils but it didn't have anything about mixing watercolors. Colors are what fascinates me and I would love to see how you did this. I'm a bit of a geek as well.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

I filmed making one on my prang review I think. kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZpSmeHeheqhlidE

[@PatriotsComing]

I bought the 24 pan cardboard box set for $22 two days ago on Amazon. Today it’s $30. Price fluctuates wildly.

[@margueritegouin2621]

Here on Amazon Canada, the 24 pan Cardboard is 81.44 CD (58$ US) not a real bargain compared to the price on the US site which is 30$ on Dec 9 22.

[@LanaGoesArt]

Thanks for the review, I got some dots of those myself recently and the swatching was fun, now I can't wait to test them thoroughly myself. From the contact with Rosa Gallery I learned, that their paints are vegan and don't use honey or ox gall. That may be why they feel different from the White Nights. The mixes are lovely and look so happy in your chart. I really admire your reviews and how thorough you test your colours with mixes and swatches. Just wanted to mention, that you're someone to look up to when it comes to quality of reviews. Thank you!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Really? That's cool! I would have thought that have honey and ox gall because they rewet snd disperse so well. But synthetic ox gall and glycerin could do that too.

[@LanaGoesArt]

@@thefrugalcrafter They were really nice and open about the info, we had some conversations about pigments - one of the rubes was mislabeled and I saw it as the best possible chance to ask what is used for the paints (I use it for the database I'm building) and they said no honey and no ox gall. The tubes itself only say, they contain gum arabic and pigments, but as you know there is more inside probably glycerin and synthetic ox gall. If I know more, I'll let you know. :)

[@creativesea.design]

Finally! I've seen these in my country and have not seen any reviews. Someone said they are the same as White Nights but they didn't seem like that to me.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

I think that comes from them being geographically close (and many people think Ukraine us part of Russia) andhaving the same size pans. They have the same unusual PG8 green color so maybe they use the same pigment sources but their mixed for other colors are diffetent.

[@dianeandrews7295]

I just saw this... a lttle behind. But I bought the full set from Amazon, forot and ordered a set of the floral ones from Jerry's. Loved them both, the floral set as 5 reds/pinks and a couple of purples + 4 yellows. I use this set more because I paint mostly flowers.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Jerrys sells Rosa paint?

[@justacatwhocantype]

The Rosa paints do look lovely, especially considering the price. So if you had to choose between these and White Nights, which one would your prefer, strictly based on performance? I think it's great that they include real cads in this set, at the same time though I don't find it ideal that both yellows are cads. I think having one cad yellow and one other yellow would have been a better choice. Apart from that I think the color choices are pretty good. And what a gorgeous cool red! As for the cad toxicity, I don't worry about it. Modern cad colors are so much safer than they used to be, and responsible use of these paints, even if it's daily, will not expose one to even a fraction of the amount of cadmium that one will absorb by simply eating regular foods. As you said, don't spray it. But then again, don't spray *anything* unless you know for a fact that it is safe. I think a lot of people are deadly afraid of cadmiums and maybe cobalts, while unfortunately ignoring all other potentially problematic ingredients that their supplies may contain.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Yes! Totally! Personally I prefer these rosa to my white nights but I might be biased because I prefer granulation and different colors having unique textures. White nights all seem similar from color to color. White night would be better for somone who dislikes granulation. Its not a fair thing for me to asses as I have about 50 colors of WN and 12 of rosa. Soimight be comparing rosa's 12 best with a mediocre selection of WN. I just felt more when I used Rosa but that is hardly objective 😆 they ate both good brands.

[@waymire01]

Unfortunately they do not offer any other yellows. They are all cadmiums, except for a naples yellow light hue made with yellow ochre and white.. and a golden yellow which is PY110. In a way it's good because at least they are lightfast, but they are also opaque so it can be an issue in mixing.

[@justacatwhocantype]

@@waymire01 Oh, thanks for letting me know, that's too bad. I think every line of watercolors should have at least one fairly transparent yellow. It's such a basic thing for mixing. Of course one could always add a transparent yellow from a different brand, but it would have been nice to have one right from this line to go with the rest.

[@justacatwhocantype]

@@thefrugalcrafter You are right, that wouldn't be really objective. Thank you for your honest answer. I think I will just end up trying the Rosa paints for myself, I had been wanting to do so for a while now anyways. The granulation really does look gorgeous, and I am always up for some of that.

[@waymire01]

@@justacatwhocantype another mixing issue is their ultramarine blue is semi opaque as well.. which I have never seen before in other brands. It's always transparent.

[@elaineg60]

After MUCH thought, watching reviews, playing “mad scientist” as my best friend says…tomorrow, my “special” for the month, (I live on SS, so, I don’t have much of a budget) is going towards Rosa’s single pigment set of 21. The white I’ll remove & replace with my smaller half pans of single pigment quin gold and raw sienna (DS)…also substituting my umbers..a hansa yellow and some of my more granulating colors like lunar black. These are all paints I have and I’ve tested. I believe I mentioned before that I’m TRYING to find colors we can use for both western and eastern traditional painting on Xuan paper…preferably with as little “additions” (mingjiao: a traditional paint glue made from fish bones-no, it shouldn’t smell-it’s what Kuratake paints have in them that enable that paint to be used on Xuan-or the Japanese equivalent…unfortunately, inside China, despite the decrease in quality of traditional paints; because K uses some dyes and not all natural or mineral pigments..it’s a BIT blasphemous among many professionals to “offend” their “intangible cultural heritage”; OR/And peach sap gum, which I just dissolve in a special jar. (The mediums AIN’T cheap!) the only paints I need to use both with are heavily granulating colors that just don’t want to stay on the paper. Now, after trying to learn about this stuff for the past year + (as far as our experiments with western paints); I can look at the pictures by the Chinese masters back in the 1700’s..or earlier, and I can tell they had to have used a LOT of these binders with their mostly mineral, VERY granulating colors. There’s more glue than pigment. It came to Rosa both because of the single pigments, the cadmium’s which very closely resemble some of the VERY bright orange, reds and yellows…(that USED to be standard in traditional paint sets), but most of all, a company rep assured me this set’s paints do NOT contain glycerin, honey or ox glass…or any other optical brightness. We shall see. I’ll get them before the weekend, (and barring any medical emergencies…me and my dear friend are off to a bit of a rough start this year); Liz is bringing her new lab coat she got to tease me and we’re going to have an old hippy slumber party..but instead of experimenting with groovy psychedelic substances….or me with my Petri dishes and microscope…we’re going to play with pigments, mediums, papers and wet mounting. Hopefully we won’t destroy any future masterpieces…😁. (And her wonderful husband will probably spy on us from outside because he thinks we’re “trouble” when we spend time together….🤷🏼‍♀️😉. We promised him no wacky-tobaccy…(he’s actually from Russia and had NO idea what we were talking about…the innocence. 😁)) Wish us luck! We’re excited! 😊

[@thefrugalcrafter]

😆 I haven't heard the term "wacky-tobaccy" in ages 😆

[@berolinastrassmann]

Wow, that sounds like a fun evening nerding out about colours. How did it go? It's over 2 years since the comment, but it probably was a memorable night.😂

[@georgesgentry5835]

Great review Lindsay. Love the chart and the SB painting. TFS

[@Faerysong1]

Bummer Umber....I laughed out loud, but no coffee this time! I'd love to try them, but just got a set of Daniel Smith. Sooooo yeah, not now. :)

[@thefrugalcrafter]

You can't go wrong with those either:)

[@SiameezyRPGer]

Just bought a set of this paint on Amazon a few weeks ago, I got the modern set for about $30. It seemed to be the cheapest paint of this quality that I'll ever find. I'm starting to slowly get into various art stuff as a causal hobby. I always loved painting as a teenager in high school and haven't really painted now in numerous years. I did acrylic more in school, but it seemed like it was much more budget friendly and simpler to get all the stuff to do watercolor at home rather than acrylic. I plan to practice first with cheapy lower quality paint I bought before though, because Rosa Gallery is starting to go up in price and vanish off Amazon again. I hope it comes back and doesn't permanently disappear. But with stuff still happening in Ukraine, I wonder if they're even still making this paint.

[@megsgonnamake]

Your painting with these is so awesome!

[@ngathanh7224]

I wonder which one is better: mungyo watercolor or rosa gallery. Can you help me

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Rosa

[@ngathanh7224]

@@thefrugalcrafter thanks for your recommend :3 i like your arts, they have attraction. have a good day

[@recoveringsoul755]

Great review and mixing chart, thanks for the HEALTH warnings about Cadmium colors. I got a cheap watercolor set from Costco for about $17 in Nov of 2019 and it has a Cadmium Yellow and Cadmium Red. All I really did was swatch them and do some mixing. Those two didn't make a very good orange, got a better orange from the yellow and Alizarin Crimson.

[@sandrafletcher1220]

Lindsey they have a Naples Rose PR101 and PW5 so pretty

[@griffithsOZ]

i just got the 28 botanical set. I haven't had a chance to use it yet but i will soon

[@firechick561]

WOW! That was a whole lot of very practical information about watercolor!! You had me looking up split primary color wheel ( yours look so cool- like flames bursting out 😅). I ordered the last Rosa 12 paint set after I saw Sat Chat...now I'm excited to get started. Just so I understand- mixing a stable color (lightfast) lends the attribute to the color that isn't? Thank you!!! 💖

[@thefrugalcrafter]

No, if you mix a lightfast color with a fugitive one the fugitive color eill fade and leave the lightfast one. That's why sometimes you will see done a of books that were green case to blue in the sun. The yellow ink was fugitive and bleached our leaving the blue.

[@bookishindian]

Hi Lindsay, I got these based on your review and LOVE them! Wondering if you might be interested / willing to do a watercolor tutorial or demo using these paints? Would love to see how you use them in a painting! (and especially, given the situation in Ukraine, it would be a wonderful way to give these paints a chance to shine!)

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Sure. I keep them on my fun art desk so I use them slit but don't often film it lol!

[@bookishindian]

@@thefrugalcrafter thanks Lindsay! :D

[@twiggalina]

Great review Lindsay!

[@waymire01]

I seriously considered adding these to my collection (a limited palette) but when Kim did a review on them there was a lot of inconsistent flow. Some colors take off like a rocket and some don't. I find that really frustrating when painting.... I can deal with one or the other in a brand as a whole, but never knowing what is going to happen when you reach into a pan makes life difficult. Like White Nights you have to be really careful what you choose from them if lightfastness is an issue.. among other fugitive pigments there is a lot of PR177 used, even in colors that shouldn't be an issue like Sepia and neutral tint (which they call Neutral Black) and worse those are labeled lightfast..and there is an extremely limited number of yellows, all of which are opaque. Another thing I found surprising and disappointing is the ultramarine blue is semi opaque as well... that would be a major problem for me. In the end I decided to pass. I would say if there was a specific pigment you like and you have access, it might be worth picking up a few. There is a seller on Etsy selling individuals in both pans and tubes from the US, but the last time I checked their stock was about half sold out.

[@jilllusey7001]

Great in-depth review. BTW they are $16.99 on Amazon now. Still seems like a great buy.

[@created2bless322]

Thank you Lindsay! I like the new button for buying you "coffee" it's about time! "bummer Umber" heehee :-) I Love Love Love how you make water colors dance with your wand, which is your brush! Mouth dropping swatch @9:33 look at those colors!!!!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

You are so welcome!

[@TheBicycleLadyThings]

Great info normally I would have dismissed theses. Now do to your info I am reconsidering

[@samanthaglorioso8440]

Just got my Rosa Gallery set of 8 today. They are on Amazon for $47.90 US. They must have shipped from an Amazon warehouse because they got here in a week, and I don't have Prime. It was free shipping, I think USPS. Can't wait to swatch them and try them out, and they are REALLY the last bargain paints I am buying. I have unfortunately been experimenting with several handmade paints, and I am seriously HOOKED! Stone ground Paints, Greenleaf and Blueberry, and Julia K, and a couple from Mary Sanchez, who is where I first got hooked, when I saw her paint with them. I now have some 60 assorted pans, and about 30 generous dot samples of Julia K (she sells on Etsy, and I believe she is in Sweden) and makes lovely paints, tho the names of the colors are ...strange. So I REALLY REALLY have more paint than I can use this lifetime (I am 73 years old now). So thanks again for feeding my addiction, since clearly this is what it is, and it does bring me such joy. I laugh and s many of my friends who dabble in art/crafts say "Oh, watercolors are so hard. I tried them once and hated them." I LOVE them, and love the sometimes unexpected things they do. So Beautiful! Thanks for all your advice, inspiration, and great teaching!

[@samanthaglorioso8440]

Set of 28, not 8. Trying to remember to proofread before hitting send!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

The rosa have a bargain price but the quality rivals any pro brand. You will love them!

[@jrm2716]

I got the 12 set about a week ago. I really like them. Maybe not take them traveling after this review tho. No matter, I have plenty to travel with. Tfs.

[@susansacco7583]

Wow! Cads for that price is amazing! Love the skin tones with the umber. The muted colors are as pretty as brights. I’m with you on adding a quin rose to complete this set. I love their cad red and use it often for skin tones. Your color chart is gorgeous. Isn’t it amazing what we can get with split primary palette?🤷‍♀️ Your Starbucks painting is crazy good! I think I need this set especially at this price. Thanks so much for this putting in so much time and effort reviewing this set. You taught me how to paint. My lovely teacher. Thank you.💕

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Thank you!

[@djhadaverde]

Yes, they are artists grade, and yes, they are cheap and good. Why? As @Plamena said, there is a war conflict there (nobody talks about it) and they are an east-european country without euro currency. They still have their Ukrainian currency and it's cheaper too than euro. So there is no catch! They are pretty good. I have been using them since last summer and I just love them! I have to say, and I hope people don't kill me for saying this, but I like them better than the White Nights. They are more transparent and juicy... Really pigmented and with really good flow, some of them move just like the QoR watercolors. You forgot to make the wet on wet to check this out ;) You will be surprised! Thanks for this video. I'm so happy to find them cheaper here in Europe!

[@Idellle]

In Helsinki you can buy them in the (lovely) art shop in Hakaniemi next to the metro and tram stop

[@mandy.austin]

Hi Lindsay, and thanks for the review. I love the granulation in these paints, but check out the prices on amazon. Looks like they have gone up! And their postage is steep too.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Mine shipped free. I think they might have run out in the us warehouse and need to be sent directly. The larger sets are probably cheaper now.

[@mandy.austin]

@@thefrugalcrafter no theyre not!! They have hiked their prices!But then i am in Australia.... but i'm a prime member... i dont know. They are around $60 here so more in the cotman range where i tend to go for sennelier or lukas. Do you think they compete at that level?Is it worth trying them anyway?

[@thefrugalcrafter]

@@mandy.austin $60 for 12? Well, they are much more pigmented than cotman. They Most remind me of schminke and mission gold (except MG are more transparent and move less) and I like the rosa 12 set over the standard Lukas 12. $60 is pricey but 12 half pan artist grade in a tin is that much here. I know stuff is more expensive there so I don't want to steer you wrong.

[@mandy.austin]

@@thefrugalcrafter i will try them then - they sound fab . I'll let you know because i do love granulation. I am so looking forward to it - love supporting these so called less than companies who always turn out to be so much more. Thank you for everything you do xxxxx

[@debsmith7050]

:) great review as always; thanks !!!

[@MonikaBehr]

Super review. Thank you.

[@ZeeCeeCreations]

These seem like the Jack Richeson semi moist watercolors, that also have the name Yarka on them now through Amazon. I found them years ago because I love a semi moist paint. I would love you to check those out… Thanks Lindsay!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

I have used those for years. Jack richardson is an importer or many brands. Yarka st Petersburg sold through Jack richardson is the exact same as white nights. They are just different trade names for the same product. These Rosa paints ate not the same. I checked pigment mixes for commen namedcolors and they were different. Also they feel and preform a bit differently. Both are wonderful brands tho.

[@ZeeCeeCreations]

@@thefrugalcrafter Thanks Lindsay! The Jack Richeson pan paints are the only pans I’ve ever used…Seeing this review makes me want to buy the set to try… But I certainly don’t need them! 😉 I purchased some Albrecht Durer pencils on your recommendation. I really like them!

[@mariapop779]

Thanks for the review!

[@weirdamy4555]

Oh, you monster enabler...LOL I held off when you mentioned these on Sat Chat, but when I saw the review and the GRANULATION, I was sold...and ended up with the bigger set, because I have no self control...how anyone can not love granulation, I will never know! I've bought several things off your recommendations in the past, and I have not been let down, so I will be slowly dying inside until these are delivered. LOL

[@thefrugalcrafter]

I am glad you have enjoyed your purchases:)

[@koskey06]

I'll tell you what... I got the Masters Touch 18 color watercolor set and its not as bad as I thought, they will crack a lil but not bad and a nice palette. Just got the 48 color set and the colors "most" are pretty nice for what they are....but the smell of the 48......"the 18 dont smell" is just head ach and nausea inducing!! Hope it goes away or mostly away, just got them td....we will see.

[@pattybrewer3907]

Question. I pour my dirty water down a sink and rinse well. With cadmium paints, is it safe to pour dirty water down sink? Or what would you recommend? Thanks. I did order this set. I paint animals. I'm excited to get them..thanks. I just love your channel.❤

[@thefrugalcrafter]

It's really a small amount in your rince water so I think it's fine. Tylenol is more toxic and we take that and eliminate it into the same water system so I think it's fine. I wouldn't squeeze a tube of paint down the drain but since water should be fine. That said I don't plein air paint with cadmiums unless I am using a waterbrush to keep it out of nature.

[@cynthia0dlin797]

Thanks!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Thank you so much for the support:)

[@loondabo9207]

I'm extremely interested in these since I've been using Russian White nights and the amazing Rumanian CFP atelier watercolours, and these seem to be in-between these. Plus the rounded cornered pans....I can't help myself.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

The pans are a bit larger than white night too!

[@loondabo9207]

@@thefrugalcrafter Seriously? I am not waiting any longer then. I live way too close to the company to not own a few pans....

[@enyardreems]

The 24 set is currently listed on Amazon for $13.64... Crazy cheap!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

That is a steal!

[@MSKCCooke]

Can you please explain what you meant by "dominant " here? Did you only mean "more"?

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Yes, i let the color as the top of the collum have greater influence on the mix to yield a greater variety in colors.

[@rhondita95]

These sound fabulous! Would you consider them student or professional quality?

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Honestly, professional quality at student prices. They remind me a lot of schminke and mission gold.

[@rhondita95]

@@thefrugalcrafter that’s pretty high praise! Just ordered the 24 set in cardboard for $28 and change including tax! How do you beat that! Even has a phthalo turq in it!

[@zumaone3692]

I wouldn't call these cheap. They are a little high especially since there are some other really good watercolor paints out there for less and getting more colors in the sets. Some of the sets are not available, like the set you showed here. Great review though. I love product reviews but I notice that many times Amazon will increase the prices quickly after these type videos go out.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Yes they do that! I think anytime sales pick up prices automatically go up. I got in trouble for typing prices in my blog posts because Amazon will constantly change them.

[@stanTrX]

does it come with a mixing pallette?

[@thefrugalcrafter]

This set doesn't but they offer several sets that do. I liked these so much I bought their modern colors set in a tin which is very nice.

[@stanTrX]

@@thefrugalcrafter thank you

[@dilliya]

Good morning 🤩

[@craftergin]

I feel smart that I bought these paints. LOL!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

You are!

[@therezanicheartes]

Belíssimo 👍🏻

[@loracharis6814]

Oh my. This channel always makes me want to buy stuff that I don’t even need. Sigh 😔

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Write it down in a "want list" and look at it in a month and see if you still want it.

[@loracharis6814]

@@thefrugalcrafter added to cart. I will look back in a few days and decide if I deserve another birthday gift. 😊

[@StrangeArrangements]

White Nights are superior in my opinion.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

I think they are different, it depends on what you like. I haven't tried the whole rosa line but I have used many colors of white nights and they are both lovely brands.

[@olgasilivra6576]

Oooh, I'm so excited to see those sold outside Ukraine, and you doing a review on them too! Before, the White Nights used to be most people's go-to brand because of their long-established reputation, but a lot stopped buying them along with other Russian products after Russia invaded Ukraine. And then it turned out Rosa was there all along! Thanks for the review, I learned a lot about watercolor, and it would be amazing if you reviewd their other products!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

I bought the 21 modern set too in the tin and put them together in a tin. They are so wonderful!

[@Psychodynamic431]

Thanks!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Thank you so much for the support:)

[@Psychodynamic431]

@@thefrugalcrafter Thanks much for all videos. I have been learning so much from you:)

[@nadeaner.cowley513]

Hi! Yes, great review, I love these paints! These paints definitely move in water, (similar to Qor and/or M. Graham, which I love)--Plus all the wonderful things Lindsay mentioned in this video...Rosa Gallery are just all around great paints and I love them. I have the 24 box set which i purchased for $26 plus shipping. Great colors, good selection and 100% worth the price!!! Great video, thanks for sharing and much love!!

[@boyinblue.]

I was expecting these to be terrible but I'm presently surprised. They seem to work well and the blues (the most important color for me) are lovely.

[@annettefournier9655]

Thanks Lindsay. Amazon already raised the price on all the sets by 3 dollars. I got mine two days ago the 21 set in a tin. LOVE THEM. I loved mixing them. They are a joy! And I didn't have any cadmium colors and there they were ! 33 bucks for 21 full pans and a really good tin that holds 28 full pans. I did pages and pages of mixing. Swatched on wood pulp and cotton paper. Did a flow test on them all. Just the cad lemon and cad light didn't flow much but all the others moved great. Some as much as QOR! The granulation using the earth tones is very nice. And the burnt sienna mixed with ultramarine was worth it just for them alone. Made THE richest deepest warm brown I've ever seen and then the most beautiful warm gray when pushed to more blue. And epic granulation! I ordered the 24 set in cardboard box just to get more colors at 1 buck a pan! Also has gone up today BTW. I mixes great greens too. The indigo mixed with different yellows make nice green. So many greens so cleanly mixed with thus set! And has dioxazine violet . Woohoo! I like them better than the mission gold I bought.😁💜

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Now who is enabling who? 😆 that set sounds great!

[@annettefournier9655]

@@thefrugalcrafter 🤣

[@DeniseBrooks1955]

Very in-depth and informative review Lindsay. Mine arrive tomorrow! Also, thank you for reminding us how really important mixing charts are. I get lazy sometimes, but it’s so important!

[@christicovington]

I love these watercolors. They are some of my favorite. Glad to see you reviewing these. Thanks again for another wonderful video!! ❤

[@jfrechette]

Hi Lindsay! You mentioned and showed examples of granulation. I found the definition online but as a suggestion to maybe a Sat Chat video, could you talk more about granulation, why some would want it to happen and others wouldn't, is it just for added texture, tips or techniques to get it or avoid it? Thank you so much and really appreciate the review and I'm waiting for my set to arrive.

[@jfrechette]

I had another question came to mind as you were reviewing the individual colors. I'm assuming there are some colors/pigments that are more expensive than others. On cheaper priced sets, how confident can we be that the color name and pigment information that is on the label is accurate and what is in the pan?

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Great topic!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

I would be generally confident that the pigment was correct (altho I I've seen typos) but cheaper brands may use more fillers and extenders to bulk them out and they don't have to disclose that.

[@dmcclintock1457]

The colors remind me of Beatrix Potter's illustrations! They're so earthy? If you dried the set out do you think it would reconstitute well? That would probably take a while to test but it might be worth it to try! ;)

[@thefrugalcrafter]

For sure, but they will take moisture from the air so I doubt they will dry rock hard.

[@maureenkennedy3234]

I love love love this paint, I won't pay more for the high end pigments anymore.

[@ranamcmahon7653]

This was extremely helpful. Yesterday I ordered the botanical set. 28 full pans in the metal box. I'm very pleased. Thank you 💜🌿

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Those look lovely too!

[@deborahbeatty]

Kimberly who? Would like to check her out. Love these. Might just have to try.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Kimberly Crick.

[@DottieStanley]

Wow! I learned so much from this video about these lovely paints! I got the set of 24 from Amazon on sale for $5.99 recently. What a bargain. Watching your video I learned that the little labels actually peel off! I can't wait to swatch them so that I can get a feel for how they work. Thanks so much for reviewing them here!

[@janbrad1]

Thanks for reviewing these. I've watched this set on Amazon for a while. I couldn't find the 12/set on a general Amazon search, but the link above led me right to them. They're 16.99 with free delivery (prime) August 26-Sept 1st. I use watercolors on stamped images for cards I make. I am so excited to try these!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Awesome! Enjoy:)

[@sandrafletcher1220]

Thanks Lindsey now I have two Rosa sets Rosa Gallery 21 pans and yesterday the Romantic set of 21 came some duplicates which I’m okay with I’m gonna try and by some additional pans from the Botanical set that are not in the other two. I am obsessed with these and your review is awesome as always….

[@thefrugalcrafter]

I bought the modern set too. So good!

[@JanineMarieChrysler]

Thank you for geeking out on these paints! I just received my set today and did unboxing, swatching, and color mixing on the palette tin flaps. You speak well on some of the stuff I observed in my set. Thanks again! ❤❤❤

[@pinkflamingo5628]

Oh Lindsay … oww, oww, arriving tomorrow 😂🌺

[@lynncooper1781]

"Watercolors remain the cream of the crop,so to speak,and a little more water for creamy good texture. "-Lynn Always a pleasure when you post Lindsay,love it.🥂♥️👍🙂

[@jendubay3782]

Do... do you quote yourself? That’s really weird.

[@judyoger]

Awe I love the little Daffodils on your swatch page in you sketch book. Though ours here in Illinois have long sense faded from our view. I admire your patience in making that grid and mixing those wonderful colors. I have great difficulty with mixing. Do you have a video explaining the terms you use, for instance "granulation" I did a little watercolor in High School, but our teacher leaned toward acrylic and oils, and pottery. So I am sadly lacking in a good foundation to this medium. Thank you for sharing your time and talents. Looking forward to Sat. Chat.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Granulation refers to the texture that is created when the pigment particles sediment out in a wet wash.

[@jannecapelle_art]

i love that you review and show us all kinds of watercolors, not just the main brands!! so many brands that are really good that id have never thought to try - like the pretty excellent, and now these! i wont buy them probably bc i already bought way too many watercolors this past year that i havent even used that much (help), but i love having this at the back of my head in case anyone in my life ever asks me what they should buy if they wanna start watercolor, so at least i dont have to say "cotman" just bc theyre everywhere here🤨

[@juliawhite7938]

Love your in depth reviews. There was so much great information in this! Thanks!!!