Why I love PB27 Prussian Blue in watercolor. My favourite brands and mixes.

Hello friends!
I’m Elisabetta, an Italian watercolor artist with a passion and a curiosity for art supplies and pigments.
Today we are swatching and comparing quite a few different brands of PB27 Prussian Blue: Winsor & Newton, Sennelier, Schminke, Maimeri, Holbein, Rembrandt, Cotman, Van Gogh, Paul Rubens and Lukas.
Prussian Blue was very popular in the past but I'm afraid it's out of fashion now....I would love to explain to you why I love it so much!
I will also try a simple sketch. And lots of mixes...
----------------------------------------------------------
LINKS Hereafter my affiliated links to the products swatched:
If you live in Europe, I suggest to visit Momarte, my favourite online store. They are very friendly and have extraordinary offers and sales. They ship internationally and will help you in English if you contact them.
MAIMERI BLU www.momarte.co...
- DANIEL SMITH: www.momarte.co...
WINSOR & NEWTON www.momarte.co...
REMBRANDT www.momarte.co...
SCHMINKE: www.momarte.co...
COTMAN www.momarte.co...
VAN GOGH www.momarte.co...
_______________________________________
Jackson's Art (this link will give you 10% discount if it is the first time you shop at Jackson's Art):
Sennelier Prussian Blue www.jacksonsar...
Maimeri Prussian Blue www.jacksonsar...
Winsor and Newton Prussian Blue www.jacksonsar...
Winsor & Newton Antwerp Blue www.jacksonsar...
Schminke Prussian Blue www.jacksonsar...
Schminke Paris Blue www.jacksonsar...
---------------------------------------------
The sketchbook I'm using is made by Arteza
Swatches
Amazon Com amzn.to/3OQaodx
Amazon UK amzn.to/44YOavb
Amazon France amzn.to/3Ys3dLv
Amazon Italy amzn.to/3DPMaJY
My porcelain palette is by Meeden
Amazon Italia amzn.to/45ED3bd
AMAZON US amzn.to/481TmAw
Amazon France amzn.to/47VQfu1
Amazon UK amzn.to/3R59viJ
------------------------------------------------
Also, if you appreciate my videos, don't hesitate to like and subscribe to my channel, that would be amazing.
You can follow me on Instagram to see my art: / elisabettafurcht
I am also a Skillshare teacher with over 20 watercolor classes, especially suited for beginners or intermediate students. My link will give you 1 month free trial: www.skillshare...
That's all for now!
Ciao from Italy
your Elisabetta xxx
#prussianblue #watercolor #swatches

[@ChantelleArts]

This is such a beautiful shade, though I'm really surprised how different all of the brands look from each other ❤❤

[@WatercolorElisabetta]

Don’t tell me! I thought to myself, they will be identical….but they are not at all! Thanks for commenting 💕💕

[@awatercolourist]

Prussian Blue will never be out of fashion for me. Even if it is not lightfast, I can always use it in sketchbooks 🙂.

[@WatercolorElisabetta]

I think that if you don’t mix it with white it should be ok!

[@keepyourshoesathedoor]

@@WatercolorElisabettaIt should be ok with zinc white, but not titanium white. Zinc always makes my paintings look like they have thick sunscreen, but it protects sometimes.

[@KaterinaGundar]

Right, I absolutely love Prussian blue 🥰

[@awatercolourist]

@@KaterinaGundar Thanks for your comment! It’s a colour that deserves more attention and more love 🙂.

[@lolaadesina5362]

The sennelier looks the most like what I expect Prussian blue to look like. The rest look like darker shades of Ultramarine

[@WatercolorElisabetta]

Interesting point of view… I do prefer the Sennelier as well!

[@alicem1111]

I use prussian blue on my palette (I don’t get on with phthalos) and my favorites are sennelier, Rembrandt, and winsor and Newton. I always keep schmincke’s on my portrait palettes because it’s even lighter and easier to control- so it’s a must have for me, but definitely different from the others. I enjoyed seeing Antwerp blue painted out- it has similar qualities to the schmincke. I may have to try that one out next- schmincke has gotten really expensive lately. I feel the same way about PG7 being too overwhelming- I use sennelier’s mix with viridian and mix in more viridian to soften it out more and add more subtle granulation.

[@WatercolorElisabetta]

Thank you got this articulate comment! I find very interesting your remark about Sennelier Viridian ….I do not know it! Thank you!

[@Egy166]

In Art school we used Prussian blue with Red Vermillion and yellow lemon as primary colors.

[@WatercolorElisabetta]

I agree that in mixes Prussian Blue is glorious ! I might try tomorrow some mixes with these 3 colors 😃 thank you for your suggestion!

[@HeyLauraVan]

How interesting! Thanks for this comparison. The only one that looks like what I consider a Prussian Blue to be is the Sennelier. Most of the others look more like they belong in the warm quadrant of blues - phthalo blue red shade/indanthrone/ultramarine. Not sure how to feel about my opinion bing obviously outnumbered by all these great brands’ versions 😂

[@WatercolorElisabetta]

😂😂 for me Sennelier was THE Prussian blue!! I still love to see the variety of interpretations ….thank you for commenting! Take care, Elisabetta

[@tavenchristensen3157]

I agree. PB isn’t red leaning. I’ve used Windsor & Newton for quite a while, BUT now…. I’ll be buying a tube of SENNELIER Prussian Blue! - I’ve used PB for 60 years and Sennelier looks like the authentic colour.

[@WatercolorElisabetta]

Sennelier is beautiful!!! It really stands out!

[@LowKey_izildura]

@HeyLauraVan I came to the comment section to check if anybody noticed the same)) At least on screen, I`d also consider Sennelier`s the true Prussian blue shade. Although, my Schmincke pan of it, looks more like Sennelier, in person. And it`s lower tint than Schmincke tube here.. Thank you @WatercolorElisabetta!

[@WatercolorElisabetta]

@lolizam Sennelier is so different from others! But for me also is very beautiful and faithful. Schminke has phtalo Blue in it…very strong tinting power! But maybe the pan behaves differently. Thanks a lot for commenting 😊

[@reneaclark7689]

Lukas quality took a dive after being bought out a couple of years ago. Their paint is chalky, very chalky one dry. I really like the van gogh, so pretty.

[@WatercolorElisabetta]

I think that tubes have a better quality than pans ….I should compare them. Such a shame for a quality brand like Lukas…

[@reneaclark7689]

@WatercolorElisabetta I purchased tubes, and some of the colors literally wiped off the paper with paper tissue. They we so chalky. I had older tubes that are vibrant and beautiful. I returned them, I genuinely thought there was something wrong with them.

[@WatercolorElisabetta]

Such a shame….they are probably trying to position Maimeri as their top brand….

[@a.cornelia]

I replaced my Holbein Prussian blue pb27 with a mix of M.Graham anthraquinone(Indanthrone) blue pb60 and phthalo blue (gs) pb15:3 in a half pan 😊 It’s so close!

[@WatercolorElisabetta]

Such an interesting mix!! So any lightfastness issue is solved 💪 thank you!

[@wendychampness1901]

I love Prussian blue! The only one I have is WN and I was happy to see that in your swatches, I preferred the WN😊

[@WatercolorElisabetta]

So you are safe!! Winsor and Newton is never, never disappointing….

[@silkspinner7010]

There is one more paint brand that never seems to get a mention and that is Daler Rowney. Their Artist range is excellent and their Aquafine student range is very good too. You can’t get them from Jackson Art Supplies. I’d love to see you do a comparison including Daler Rowney

[@WatercolorElisabetta]

I’m happy you said that!! I’m a big fan of Daler Rowney…I have a few tubes and I have a video with an in depth review….unfortunately I don’t have a Prussian Blue…here is the link to my video kzbin.info/www/bejne/q5rPgI2qosdrotUsi=IFqo4tVIVzHKROCa

[@LavenderDebs]

Sennelier and Paul Rubins are my Prussians... and I LOVE Sennelier. It is what I am looking for when I dip into Prussian.... or Hookers green. P.R. is my go to Hookers. I struggled to get that olive green that I loved in PR. Jut a touch of burnt sienna brought it out. Debs in Montana

[@WatercolorElisabetta]

Thank you Debs!! Yes, I love what you said! Sennelier has a wonderful Prussian Blue and PR has beautiful, often underrated colors!

[@gabrieledreler145]

Thank you very much for these detailed considerations, I would never have thought that a pigment could be so different and I don't understand it either. Do you have an explanation for this? I think Sennelier is too green, it's totally out of line, even though it has the same pigment as Schminke. I would never have thought that, I'm going to try it out today and I'm excited. Thank you very much for your effort. Best wishes

[@WatercolorElisabetta]

Yes, it’s wonderful how different they can be….I think it depends on source and manufacturing process, but it is one of watercolor misteries… thanks for watching and sharing! Enjoy your swatching!

[@babathegoodmansamba8533]

The best Prussian is from M.Graham ! BTW Manet and Monet used it most times. There is one pic ' boy in blue, all in Prussian ! Best greens are made with this colour too ! Sennelier is very good too.

[@WatercolorElisabetta]

Hi! I got plenty of comments about Sennelier Prussian Blue so I eventually bought it! I have learnt to love greens made with PB as well. I will add M. Graham on my wish list…. Thanks for sharing!

[@arsinoe8336]

Hope you had a wonderful summer 😊❤ You bought the tube opener I recommended 😍 glad it did help you. I really love that one so helpful Wanted to say wonderful video as always but please be aware that PB27 is not lightfast at all even when all the companies give it highest lightfastness. It will always fade in sun, some brands faster than others. It is able to recover when put in the dark but not to it's original strong ness. It is one of those pigments that are wrongly rated by the art industry. Sadly because I really like the color it's a beautiful dark blue. But I can only recommend only use it in sketchbook or in works which are not displayed or sold. Better go with PB60 indanthrene blue for artwork which are sold or want to hang on a wall. Wish you a wonderful evening ❤

[@WatercolorElisabetta]

It was you to tell me about the tube opener! It’s a life changer 😃. I read on Handprint that he believes that good brands are lightfast, but I know it controversial…I will put my portrait in the sun! Thanks a lot for stopping by…

[@wendyostlund3482]

Thank you so much for this video. I love Prussian Blue, so was so happy to see your comparison. I think I lean towards the Winsor Newton. I’m not so fond of those hues that are similar to Ultramarine Blue. I would love it if you compared Indigo as well.

[@WatercolorElisabetta]

Indigo is even more interesting because each brand has a different formula..like Payne’s Gray….I will take your suggestion into account! Thank you!

[@clairevalentine9220]

To be exact pb27 is just like a vampire to some extent: it lose color in sunlight but recovers in darkness.

[@WatercolorElisabetta]

I love your metaphor! A vampire …

[@E4Alabbasy]

I Adore Prussian blue 🥰💙 I espacially love roman szmal's version, it can go so dark yet so vibrant when watered down, thank you for the comparison, winsor and newton version looks nice!

[@WatercolorElisabetta]

It really makes me happy to see that many people like this colour in all its shades! Thank you so much for your comment.

[@paulinabm_]

I love prussian blue and its mixes. I have the Schmincke and cotman. I stopped using it after the lightfast rumours but I kept the painting I did with in on my studio wall. And it's been at least 2 years since I place them there and they have not faded so... I guess the problem is constant direct light which is no good for any original artwork... or prints or photos anyway. So maybe I'll use it again.

[@WatercolorElisabetta]

Hi Paulina! I honestly believe that if a brand like W&N says it is lightfast, I believe them! Such a beautiful colour, I don’t want to listen to internet rumours…so I’m very happy about your paintings not fading! Thank you for sharing 😃

[@elaineg60]

Is it just me…Sennelier’s PB27 Looks MUCH more like “real” Prussian blue? Also…since we are going to be mulling outside today; I might break off a small piece of my real gamboge to play with mixing. Last time when I did a mixing chart with PB33, both gamboge and PO49 produced a bright orange halo around the green..I wonder if I mull it together if we can get rid of the halo? As neat as it looks, it’s just not practical in most paintings.

[@WatercolorElisabetta]

Everyone make the same comment…about Sennelier being the true Prussian Blue! It’s actually such a beautiful shade of blue. Good luck with mulling! Experimenting is the only way to find out…

[@shadowguard3578]

Hello, I haven’t watched your video yet, but I will! I love Prussian blue. I need to tell someone and I think you’ll understand. I just saw on ‘Betsy’ quinacridone gold PO49 by Prodigal Son … and I just bought it! I wasn’t planning on buying anything until Thanksgiving time, but PS handmade watercolors don’t hang around and I wasn’t going to risk missing the chance to buy it! 🎉🥳🎈

[@WatercolorElisabetta]

Of course I do understand!! The joy of a new Watercolor….I know Prodigal Son is very beautiful 🤩. You could not miss this genuine PO49!!

[@shadowguard3578]

@@WatercolorElisabetta🤩 thank you Elisabetta, I couldn’t miss the chance to buy 😊PO49. I’m so glad I could share this with you. 🥰

[@WatercolorElisabetta]

😍😍 thank you! I’m happy too!

[@shadowguard3578]

@@WatercolorElisabetta 🤩🤩🤩🥰🥰🥰

[@morrisonwatercolors]

Prussian Blue is a beautiful color for sure. I think you are right that it may be out of favor due to lightfastness concerns. I have the Cotman version but have been reluctant to buy it in other brands out of concern for lightfastness. Elisabetta, what is your favorite dark blue?

[@WatercolorElisabetta]

I really like the Cotman version….your question is tricky!! The dark blue I use the most is by far Ultramarine, because it’s so versatile in mixes, shadows, and it has a beautiful granulation. However, I find that Indathrene blue is gorgeous….but I don’t use it much! I also like indigo but it really depends on brand….and you?

[@morrisonwatercolors]

@@WatercolorElisabetta I am similar to you. I use Ultramarine probably the most. But my favorite dark blue is Sodalite Genuine. Lately though I have really taken to WN Payne’s Grey.

[@WatercolorElisabetta]

@morrisonwatercolors this sodalite blue must be really beautiful… I will put it in my wish list! I have the impression that primatek colors are really unique…

[@emmahaslam1905]

I wonder if the hue of the Senellier is similiar to Holbein's marine blue. I'm not sure why I was expecting them all to veer more towards cyan. Your videos are so lovely to watch.

[@WatercolorElisabetta]

Thank you Emma! I think that PB looks more towards cyan when diluted…

[@djhadaverde]

Hello my watercolorist friend! I love this cool blue. I'm swatching all my watercolours in a sketchbook for comparison and I'm just doing the prussian blues today :) When it's dry, I will take pictures and show you my results. The brands I have right now are: Van Gogh, Schmincke Akademie, Roman Szmal, Daniel Smith, Sennelier, Mijello Mission Gold and Titan Ars.

[@WatercolorElisabetta]

Great idea! I loved the swatches ….

[@sandjune2753]

I do love Prussain Blue, but not for work as gifts for wall hanging due to the lightfast issue, but if you are scanning work it is fine. Schmincke, i like some of there colours but find they can be a bit powdery in the way they dry, as seen on your swatch test. So I have gone off them, and prefer maimeri Blu, sennelier, daniel Smith and rembrandt.

[@WatercolorElisabetta]

We share a common taste in watercolor! Especially Rembrandt…so underrated! I absolutely must make a video about Rembrandt 😊thank you for your comment!

[@marjoriejohnson6535]

From what i can tell from looking at tgese on tabket without going to all of my swatchs, daniel smith and m.graham are closer to sennelier and da Vinci is closer to holbein....I want to work on my swatch notebook....need to pull brand cards out and put pigment numbers together...and make 1 or 2 page s for each brand...might need another binder...

[@WatercolorElisabetta]

Thank you Marjorie….I definitely need to swatch at least Daniel Smith! Swatching is really a wonderful practice, happy swatching!!

[@suel4269]

I find it interesting how many versions of PB27 can be so different. Daniel Smith is granulating and staining.

[@WatercolorElisabetta]

That is the one I don’t have!! Not planning to buy it in immediate future but put it in Wishlist. Thanks!

[@mariarecuencocanas3653]

I also like this color, even if I don't use it too much. Mission Gold and Daniel Smith's prussian blue are on the greenish line of Sennelier's, very strong and beautiful. I think I will use it to make greens, as you did. Thank you very much.

[@WatercolorElisabetta]

Thank to you Maria! I wish I had swatched Daniel Smith….it looks interesting from your comment. Tfs!

[@sararamer-dean7846]

Winsor and Newton is my very favourite Prussian Blue! So rich and deep.

[@WatercolorElisabetta]

Thank you Sara for sharing this! I love how everyone loves a different brand for their palette 😍

[@sonyaoart]

Lovely comparison. I love Prussian blue, I use the Van Gogh version a lot in my sketchbook. I meant to do some lightfast testing on it this summer, but I forgot. My sketches will be fine though. I like the idea of monochrome portraits, I’ll give that a go.

[@WatercolorElisabetta]

Hello Sonya! I think I will expose my portrait half hidden to see what happens…I’m optimistic ! Let’s see….the Van Gogh is really beautiful and rich btw…

[@sonyaoart]

@@WatercolorElisabetta that’s a good idea, fingers crossed it will not fade 🤞

[@marjoriejohnson6535]

I love the greens that i get with prussian blue..

[@WatercolorElisabetta]

So do I!! ❤️

[@LowKey_izildura]

I already left the comment on Prussian blue under a viewer`s one. But if I may ask, is the Pyrrole Orange on your palette the Maimeri blu`s one? Thank you for your videos))

[@WatercolorElisabetta]

I have Maimeri in my larger studio palette, but the one I’m using here in this porcelain palette is from Lukas and believe they are both very beautiful. I use it a lot and Lukas is a big tube.

[@LowKey_izildura]

@@WatercolorElisabetta Thank you! I'm looking forward to my visit to Italy soon, and discovering more of their lovely paints, among other things 😊

[@WatercolorElisabetta]

@lolizam my favourite Italian handmade colours are by Della Magna watercolour! Check them out!

[@mzkatbee463]

I love my WNP Prussian Blue 💙

[@WatercolorElisabetta]

I’m happy that so many people like Prussian blue in all it’s versions! Thanks for sharing ❤️

[@sherryfurr9115]

I love Prussian blue and always have it on my palette!!! I am not a professional artist so I do not care if it is lightfast.

[@WatercolorElisabetta]

I really appreciate your comment because I find that lightfastness is overrated! The majority of us will not sell their artwork but just enjoy the process…

[@sherryfurr9115]

@@WatercolorElisabetta I completely agree. I have found that so many of the so called “rules” and cautions only take away from the joy of painting.

[@WatercolorElisabetta]

@sherryfurr9115 😀I have learnt to follow my heart (and eyes 👀)!

[@debbrantstevens8826]

I think I'd like to see prussian blue mixes v winsot blue green shads mixes.

[@WatercolorElisabetta]

It would be an interesting exercise…I will for sure do it! Thank you.

[@shadowguard3578]

I have Qor PB and Jackson’s PB. I cannot see a difference between the two. They both look similar to Sennelier PB. 😅

[@sonyaoart]

I think the Jackson’s paints are made by Sennelier. Now I got this from someone on the internet, so it’s best taken with a grain of salt, but it might explain the similarities in that case

[@shadowguard3578]

@@sonyaoart you could be right. I forgot about Sennelier possibly being the maker of Jackson’s watercolors. Your comment just reminded me of that!

[@WatercolorElisabetta]

I’m quite sure they are made by Sennelier…I have 2 colours that are IDENTICAL

[@shadowguard3578]

@@WatercolorElisabetta good stuff cannot hide it’s pedigree! 😀

[@awatercolourist]

3rd! 😂

[@WatercolorElisabetta]

A well deserved bronze 🥉

[@awatercolourist]

@@WatercolorElisabetta Thanks 😊