Understanding Cobalts | swatching M. Graham Cobalt watercolor set & discovering the Cobalt family

[@awatercolourist]

The pigmentation of M Graham paints is at another level entirely!

[@WatercolorElisabetta]

I agree !

[@awatercolourist]

Yaay! Cobalts!

[@WatercolorElisabetta]

Glad you appreciate it!!! ❤️

[@awatercolourist]

I have to agree with you, M Graham has the best looking tubes! They make me feel like a true artist😅

[@WatercolorElisabetta]

:D ditto!! absoluty I feel so professional with them.

[@jenneke9763]

Dr. Oto Kano recently did an overview of all the MG paints. Of all the tubes, she also only had an issue with the cobalt violet. When she contacted them, they said that one batch was indeed problematic and since her tube’s batch number matched, they quickly sent her a replacement tube. The company is renowned for excellent customer service, btw, so you might consider contacting them regarding your own CV experience. I have a number of MG tubes ( which I squeeze into pans and palettes and allow to dry) in various colors and I’m always extremely impressed with them. Cobalt blue ( Pb 28) is the only cobalt though. And while they dry slightly tacky to the touch, I’ve not had the overflow issues some folks have…and I live in SW Ontario where it’s quite humid much of the time. Always hasten to watch your color videos when they show up on my feed. They’re wonderful!

[@WatercolorElisabetta]

Dear Jenneke, I am a little envious that you can just go out and buy MG paint where you live!! I have also paints that remain sticky after pouring in pan (like some Sennelier) but honestly I prefer that to certain tubes that dry in pans harder than a rock and are impossible to rewet. So it’s good news to me! As I like to pour my tubes. It’s part of the entertainment! Thank you so much for your very kind words, it obviously means a lot to me. Have a very lovely week. Elisabetta (PS I think the small binder issue with CV was totally acceptable)

[@michelemarchesani5139]

Your enthusiasm for watercolor is delightfully inspiring! Thank you!

[@WatercolorElisabetta]

Thank you so much Michele! Happy that you didn’t find it boring…have a lovely week :)

[@dianakoeppel3492]

Love your deep dives into color! Fascinating. Thank you very much.

[@WatercolorElisabetta]

Thank you Diana! I’m glad you found it if some interest! :)

[@debbiefalconer2756]

Awesome explanation of the Cobalt family, thank you Well done! love these colors so Australian outback!

[@WatercolorElisabetta]

I have never been to Australia….it’s my dream! Thank you for your comment 😍

[@morrisonwatercolors]

Good job on this video! For the longest time, my only cobalt color was cobalt teal blue. Then I got the regular cobalt blue, very nice but similar to my ultramarine blue. I know Irit Landgraf loves cobalt violet, I may need to get that color next! :)

[@WatercolorElisabetta]

Thank you Morrison! Yes Irit Landgraf loves CV, especially the Rembrandt one! I love her videos obviously…I don’t use it very often but I find it adorable, I should incorporate it more in my shadows for the delightful granulation….I think I will use it today!! Take care 😊

[@derwood206]

here in US West Coast so was easy to get a number of M Graham for a palette (One store had a buy 2 get 1 free sale where i was this summer). I love painting with them. So easy to re-wet; only drawback is they are very sticky and messy when putting together my palette and trying to move pans around ha. I needed to wash my hands a lot. Now that they are there, I am enjoying. The paints with iron give off a metallic odor which i never experienced before with other watercolors but you get used to it. I asked M Graham about it and they said people have differing reactions to the paint and odor. I love the Cobalt Blue, Mineral Violet, Azo Green, and Terra Rosa. Great focus on Cobalts!

[@WatercolorElisabetta]

Lucky you! I hope you took advantage of the sale! Ahaha I understand the stickiness problem, the French brand Sennelier has the same problem! They also have honey . I will have a look at Mineral Violet and Azo Green, they make me curious… and Terra Rosa of course, everyone is mentioning it ! thanks a lot for your comment! Have a lovely week.

[@vatiammatri2660]

Thanks, very helpful! I only have Viridian and Azo Yellow in M Graham. I love all those Cobalts, especially the teal and the green ❤

[@WatercolorElisabetta]

Thank you Vati. I found that exploring the cobalts was absolutely fascinating.

[@hannahthufvesson]

Cobalt Blue (Cerulean Blue) can also be made with PB36. Just a small addition ☺️ And PV14 seems to have other instability-problems than lightfastness, like heat/humidity/acidity, according to Kimberly Crick (and also labelling on W&N Cobalt Violet). I like the bright green and the viridian hue of PG50, as well as the teal one. They are all stunning. 🥰

[@WatercolorElisabetta]

Thank you Hannah for your addition! 😄 actually, my cobalt Blue by Maimeri is made with PB36. It’s beautiful. Take care and have a lovely week! Elisabetta

[@hannahthufvesson]

@@WatercolorElisabetta Thank you, and you too! ☺️

[@editaedita473]

I find this very interesting and I also like the presentation with larger swatches compared to other people I watch on YT. Thank you for explaining about the pigments. I have no knowledge about them and learn only recently.

[@WatercolorElisabetta]

Thank you so much! This makes me happy 😄

[@ewwwobbie]

I love my M.Graham paints. I live in Canada and have 26 colors. I find them very high quality. I love the results of my paintings using this paint. I have several Daniel Smith, but it doesn't compare to the pure colors of M.Graham.

[@WatercolorElisabetta]

It’s very difficult to find in Italy, but I make sure to buy some tubes every time there is a sale at Jackson’s….it is really wonderful paint…thanks a lot for your message!

[@sararamer-dean7846]

i live in Canada. I like the M. Graham watercolours too. I have Permanent Alizarin Crimson, Phthalo Green, Phthalo Blue, Phthalo Blue Red Shade, Terra Rosa, and Quinacridone Rust - oh, also Neutral Tint and Scarlet Pyrrol. The Quin Rust and Terra Rosa are some of my favourites.

[@derwood206]

yes, so many great colors in their line! I love Quin Rust and Terra Rosa as well!

[@WatercolorElisabetta]

Mmmmhhh this Terra Rosa and Quin Rust seem to call me from Jackson’s Art online shop!!! Thank you for your comment and suggestions ❤️ Sara !

[@sararamer-dean7846]

@@WatercolorElisabetta uou are very welcome! You won't regret buying them.

[@anitadavidson1266]

I had no idea just how large and varied the Cobalt family was, thank you so much. I look forward to seeing more in-depth videos. Living in Scotland, I have the same price issue in trying to purchase M Graham- it’s such a shame… I did manage to purchase two almost full tubes on eBay for an excellent price, so intend to keep my eyes peeled for similar bargains. Perhaps you could find some on the Italian eBay? It is surprising how many people sell partly used, and even full tubes. Good luck! 🎨🖌👩‍🎨

[@WatercolorElisabetta]

Hello Anita!! I never buy on eBay: I will look tonight! Thanks a lot for the tip! Still, you can easily buy from Jackson’s during its great sales…. After Brexit not so easy for us. Do you know a Scottish author named Alexander McCall Smith? I love his books ❤️. Thanks a lot Anita for your message. Have a lovely Sunday!

[@anitadavidson1266]

@@WatercolorElisabetta Hi again, I managed to snag two new 15ml tubes on eBay for a total of £5 incl shipping! I got one other partially used, but more expensive pigment for a little over £4 incl postage. Don’t get me wrong, I had to look for a long time to grab the bargain, but I also managed to get quite a lot of Daniel Smith - a brand I find inferior, but just as expensive as M Graham. I will save up in time for the next big Jackson’s sale - sometimes, they take £2 off and call it a sale. Bah!! Alexander McCall Smith is a Scottish legend. Such a talented writer. I love the 44 Scotland Street series, along with the No 1 Ladies Detective Agency, and more recently, The Detective Varg Series. All very different, and all superb 😁❤️ x

[@WatercolorElisabetta]

I don’t know this last serie. But I also like the Isabel Dalhousie one. I adore his books! ❤️

[@starr-starr]

Lovely swatches. I’m in the States, so M Graham is readily available here. I got the jewel set to try, and the cobalt violet tube was a complete brick - they had a bad batch. Cut the tube open and crumbled into some pans. The rest of the colors I can only use fresh from the tube - I tried them in a palette once and that was a mistake. They never dry completely, and they will crawl out of any pan if it is not kept level. Lesson learned! But so fun to paint with.

[@WatercolorElisabetta]

Thank you for your suggestion!! I always pour my paint in pans but good to know it’s a challenge with this paint! I will check out their jewel set 😊

[@awatercolourist]

Cobalt Teal may also be made from PB28. I think that is what M Graham uses. PB74 also has a deep turquoise hue; Deep Deep Light sells it. I never heard of PB13, I’d like to try it one day.

[@WatercolorElisabetta]

ehehe yes! M. Graham uses PB28 but it's the first time I come across Teal made with PB28! thank you for you comment :) always enriching.

[@awatercolourist]

@@WatercolorElisabetta Thank you for your kind words 🙂. I think another company also uses PB28, but I can’t remember who.

[@WatercolorElisabetta]

Maybe Rosa Gallery

[@awatercolourist]

@@WatercolorElisabetta Maybe. But I think it was some other company. I'll check.

[@awatercolourist]

​@@WatercolorElisabetta Turner, Holbein, Roman Szmal (Cobalt Sea Blue), White Nights, M Graham, and Rembrandt. Interestingly, Rembrandt has two cobalt turquoises: one made using PB28 and the other using PG26.

[@arsinoe8336]

Very nice overview of the cobalt family. The Winsor and Newton professional watercolor tubes are also available in 15ml or even 37ml tubes. The 37ml tubes have the best price per ml. Maybe you can buy them somewhere at your place as well 💜😊

[@WatercolorElisabetta]

Maybe I should buy my favourite colouring a large size! I always run out of Yellow Ochre and Burnt Sienna ❤️ thanks a lot!! I will look for them.

[@arsinoe8336]

@@WatercolorElisabetta you're very welcome 😊💜 I've just bought a big tube of Winsor and Newton professional brown madder because the PR 206 will be discontinued in all brands (the pigment will be no longer produced). The tube looks gigantic next to a small one😂

[@WatercolorElisabetta]

Good to know!! Thank you!

[@arsinoe8336]

@@WatercolorElisabetta I'm glad when it helps 😊

[@Jlalode]

I have many M.Graham tubes of paint. The price was very good here in Canada. Less expensive than Winsor & Newton or Daniel Smith. The only downside is that they stay sticky in pans.

[@WatercolorElisabetta]

Lucky you! I confess I prefer sticky pans to those tubes that dry as hard as a rock and are impossible to rewet! Thanks a lot for your comment Johanne 😍

[@shadowguard3578]

I have some cobalt watercolors. I have PY40 and I love the color. Informative and enjoyable video thank you!

[@WatercolorElisabetta]

Thank you so much for your kind words. I will soon publish a video about cobalt yellow. What brand have you got?

[@shadowguard3578]

@@WatercolorElisabetta you’re welcome. I have Jackson’s Art PY40. They had a sale not too long ago so I purchased a full pan. 😊

[@WatercolorElisabetta]

I think it’s made by Sennelier , I love that brand

[@shadowguard3578]

@@WatercolorElisabetta Sennelier and Jackson’s/Sennelier are very enjoyable brands to work with.

[@martinanelsonartandpsychol6478]

I love the cobalt colors. But not too sure how to use them. 😊

[@WatercolorElisabetta]

I think it’s very common! Stay tuned for more videos on cobalt colours and thank you a lot Martina for stopping by!

[@NicoleLan622]

True cobalt Aureolin (PY 40) is worse than "not lightfast," at least from what I have heard it will turn gray! 😮 A more stable alternative is a hue like a PY151 (benzimidazolone yellow).

[@WatercolorElisabetta]

Hi Nicole! Thank you for your comment. Maybe you would like to watch my video about possible lightfast alternative to Aureolin. And yes! As you say, PY151 is one of them! You can see my video here: Cobalt Yellow PY40 (Aureolin), its beauty, issues and replacement with Nickel Azo Yellow PY150 kzbin.info/www/bejne/eqOUdI2Vbqyaabc

[@anjaanja7684]

Thanks so much for the informative video! I did not know that cobalt came in so many colors. The cobalt green was my favorite! Personally I would love to see more in depth videos like this. If you have time to answer, then I would like to ask if you had to pay taxes / VAT when buying the cobalt paints was it a shop Jaxon? Also I will check out the link to the art supply shop in your description box.

[@WatercolorElisabetta]

Thank you so much Anja! I bought the Cobalt set at Jackson's Art in the UK. Unfortunately UK isn't part of EU anylonger, but until 150 euros there aren't additional taxes for Italy. Momarte is my favourite shop and they are very very friendly with great prices! Take care Elisabetta

[@anjaanja7684]

@@WatercolorElisabetta Okay Then the rules are different in Italy then here in DK. Yes I took a look at Momarte I will definately go back! Thank you very much for your answer 🙂

[@kleineoOoStern]

Hi ! I just love your videos and your accent is refreshing and remind me of my time spent in Italy (I'm French and live in Hyères so I go to Italy frequently and used to speak the language but due to covid I'm totally rusted 😅). Seing the more Mediterranean style in watercolor is really cool and I already learned à lot from you so thanks a lot. If you ever create a Patreon or accept KZbin Members on your channel I'll gladly subscribe to help you 😊 Thanks again for your amazing content !

[@WatercolorElisabetta]

Chère Anaïs quelle belle surprise 🙂. I have lived in Paris two years! And spent many holidays dans le Var quand notre fils était petit, au Lavandou et au Canadel! Je parle français et j’adore tellement la France que mon fils à fréquenté le Lycée Français depuis la maternelle jusqu’au Bac ici à Turin. Your words are very very kind, I really appreciate your message. 🤗. I’m not on Patreon but I’m on Skillshare where I have over 15 classes, do you know the platform? With the link in the description notes you can have a free trial if you wish (to the whole catalogue not just my watercolour classes). Grazie grazie mille per il messaggio così gentile! A presto 😊😊Elisabetta

[@JacquelineJax]

These paint seems so light and don’t have a lot of tinting strength and vibrancy.

[@WatercolorElisabetta]

It’s maybe the screen; in reality they are incredibly pigmented!

[@awatercolourist]

Cobalt Violet comes in two shades: a purple shade and a pink shade.

[@WatercolorElisabetta]

😍

[@cricraicsicsics8287]

Mi piacciono moltissimo le tue lezioni, a vte preferirei averne qualcuna anche in italiano. Grazie 😍

[@WatercolorElisabetta]

Grazie mille cara Cricra! mi pongo sempre anche io il dubbio, ma alla fine se i video sono in inglese li possono guardare tutti, in Italiano solo gli italiani...siccome dietro ad ogni video ci sono tante ore di lavoro e ricerca, alla fine in Italiano ci potrebbero essere solo poche visualizzazioni. In ogni caso il mio inglese è abbastanza maccheronico per essere comprensibile da tutti, spero! un abbraccio e grazie mille del commento. A presto!

[@awatercolourist]

First!