Winsor & Newton Markers - Was I Wrong?

[@maryannprzybycien2013]

I can't get past they don't work well on cotton watercolor paper. I've heard other artists say the quality isn't as good as they once were. Same with their Cotman watercolors. I'll stick with my Faber-Castells. Tombows, and Ecolines for sketchbooks. Thank you for revisiting this.❤

[@owingsart]

@@maryannprzybycien2013 I know what you mean. 😢

[@starshinesoldier]

It’s good that they dissolve better on cellulose watercolor paper. But for an artist grade Winsor and Newton watercolor marker, I would want them to dissolve completely too, or at least without the harsh lines. Otherwise I would just use the dye based Tombows or something similar. Thanks for the updated review Marty!

[@owingsart]

I agree with you and so as much as I loved the old markers, I’m not sure I’ll use these as much.

[@gertietheduck]

I find that watercolour markers (any brand) work really well on my Clairefontaine bamboo WC paper.

[@kathyhackney7950]

@@gertietheduck OoooOoo that sounds interesting. Do they make a sketchbook?

[@owingsart]

I might have to add that to my list.

[@gertietheduck]

@@kathyhackney7950 they do! It's a bit more like cellulose paper (though it's a different beast from that too) so you may find you don't like it as much for watercolour itself BUT... it is amazing for anything water-soluble like markers, pencils, sticks etc. They reactivate readily and the surface is quite smooth and very sturdy (I use my Ecoline markers on it as well and those normally easily pill my cotton and cellulose watercolour paper... but not the bamboo paper!) , so it will leave less drawing marks & there is no pilling

[@berolinastrassmann]

I like your tractor sketches, Marty! I can't figure these markers out. I have tried them...but I like standart watercolour paint better.

[@owingsart]

The original w&n wc markers made in France were better in my opinion and I found good use for them in my field sketching. Not sure I’ll use these very much now.

[@andreaharutunian3838]

Thanks for the update 🎉

[@owingsart]

You bet

[@BobbysWorld_of_Art]

Yeah it was very clear. Thanks for the update 😉😁

[@owingsart]

Thanks!

[@creativespace179]

Thanks much. I don't think it's nit picky to want the colors to completely disappear! I feel the same way. I tend not to use watercolor markers because of that issue. Now in my case, a lot of it may be user error because I'm definitely definitely not the most experienced with the medium.

[@owingsart]

Thank you for the comments. Someone else mentioned not letting them dry and and painting quickly. Once you get past all the caveats these seem to work well. I just don’t remember the old ones being so narrowly useable. In there defense W&N makes great products, it’s just I loved the version made in France. 🇫🇷

[@penniecormier8770]

This was an interesting update! I’m sorry they changed so much but great to know a different paper made such a difference! Was that canson mixed media paper?

[@owingsart]

Yes it was. I used both Canson mixed media and Canson Montval sketchbooks.

[@joymiller9668]

Ya leaving the colors to sit like you did leaves time for them to soak in. Like I’d swatch the color then put water on it, then do the next color, then put water on it. The darker colors are more likely to soak in faster.

[@owingsart]

Thank you! 😊

[@mageetu]

Interesting. Thanks!

[@owingsart]

Thanks for watching.

[@amicamiabella]

Did I say that I really like the new animated logo? 😊

[@owingsart]

Awwww, thank you!!!🙏 😊❤️

[@Rockymtnbloom]

Does it make a difference if you blend immediately after you apply (they may be drying before you blend)

[@owingsart]

Someone else mentioned that and in the sketches I did at the end of the video, I did add water almost immediately. They worked okay and I didn’t notice any big issues.

[@kathyhackney7950]

Albrecht durer it is 😂 Shoot, tombows are superior

[@owingsart]

Which makes me a little sad because the old ones made in France were the absolute best IMO.

[@ezgiltnsk]

I like Fabriano 160 grams paper for watercolor markers

[@owingsart]

I have some around here and should try it out.

[@joymiller9668]

Try The Faber Castell version.

[@owingsart]

I did, there’s a video and I really liked them.

[@joymiller9668]

@@owingsart ok i will take a look

[@joymiller9668]

@@owingsart yes I did as well, I wish they had pigment pens like the zig pens with a real brush head.

[@kathyhackney7950]

That lemon yellow is weak as heck. Almost invisible lol

[@owingsart]

Yes it is and they need to fix that up.

[@AlisaSauer]

It’s too bad the markers have changed. I hope you can still find ways to enjoy them.

[@owingsart]

I’ll do something with them, but just don’t know if I’ll use them as often as I did the old ones. 👍🏼🙏

[@Charlotte-sq8cq]

They work better if you do not let them dry before using the brush.

[@owingsart]

Thanks Charlotte. I don’t remember that being an issue in 2015, but then again that was a long time ago. In the sketches at the end of the video, you can see I did add water almost immediately and they did okay there. Thanks for watching and for the tip.

[@claychick100]

I just left you a private message on your Etsy page. I have a set of the ones made in France that I have never used if you are interested.

[@owingsart]

@@claychick100 I’ll take a look.

[@claychick100]

@@owingsart These would be a gift if you want them. I have had these for a long time and never use them.

[@essietangle9931]

Glad you retested them b u t why wouldn’t you test them on the paper you would use them on. I have a set of them. About all I use them is a little fill in touch up or small stuff. I do the same with the Faber Castell. Maybe I should do a little test of these markers vs the FC markers. Not__🤥Thanks Marty I enjoy your videos.

[@owingsart]

Good points Essie. Last time I tested them in 2015, I was sketching a lot in Canson sketchbooks, now I’ve upgraded most of my watercolor kit and try to use the best I can afford. So when folks rightly pointed out I was comparing apples to apples, it made sense to try them on the same paper. Now a few people have mentioned that I shouldn’t let them dry before painting, and I didn’t let them dry at the end of the video when I did the tractor sketches. I’m just not sure what changed with these and I’m probably being picky, but I loved the old ones that were made in France. 🇫🇷

[@essietangle9931]

@@owingsartGood point too, whenever I use mine, I have a wet brush in the other hand and move the color around quickly.

[@kellywilson2147]

Nit picky? Not at all! No one wants a paint that doesn't blend well!n I can definitely see a difference on each paper you tested, but the new set is certainly not the same quality as your old set. Companies are always trying to cut corners for profit gain, and I think that Winsor & Newton has changed something in these markers. I'm not a brand snob, but I have an autoimmune disease that makes me overly sensitive to smells and fragrance. When I find a product that works and doesn't give me side effects, I will stock up on it because companies are always "new and improving" things, making them unusable for me. TMI, I know. Maybe that's what's up with these markers! Unless there is something wrong or you have numerous complaints, leave it be. I wonder if these would perform better on vellum paper? I will say that they are pretty colors, but that lemon yellow is sad. Thanks for doing a follow-up video!

[@owingsart]

Thank you for this, I really appreciate your thoughts. Having to deal with an autoimmune disease must be a huge burden, not just in art supplies but just about everything the rest of us take for granted. I wish these were still made in France with the same formula or process, but I understand that people do not like paying more for products and the competition is stiff out there. Still, I thought the originals were selling well. I loved them. Hope you have a great day and thanks for the comments.

[@be666chan]

I feel like wn starts cutting corners too much

[@owingsart]

That could be the case and if so, it’s too bad because that usually means the products get worse.