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La Petite watercolors rewet easily and flow really well but are highly variable;some colors are extremely weak (like Burnt Umber and Cobalt Blue Hue)and some are extremely strong (like Deep Green and Primary Blue). Most of the colors are nicely transparent,but for some odd reason I had a difficult time cleaning Sennelier watercolors from my brushes.
So to reduce the price, paint manufacturers use less pigment or cheaper versions which simulate true pigments but have lower manufacturing costs. Yep… It’s the pigments that cost money. Winsor & Newton watercolors are known for their softness and transparency, and most of Cotman’s colors showcase these attributes. Although Cotman performed extremely well on cotton watercolor paper, I didn’t think these characteristics worked as well when journaling on standard papers—even on the good stuff. Sap Green: PO48/PG7/PY150 (Transparent – multiple pigments). Ok I admit it. I include this one because I’m lazy! It gives me a consistent sap green appearance when I want a fast color for vegetation. It provides a natural looking green that can be used straight from the palette. Earth Colors:Ok… Now imagine you’re looking at a manufacturer’s paint chart. What exactly should you be looking for ? Cobalt Teal Blue: PG50 (Semi-transparent & single pigment). This is another beautiful blue-green hue. The paint retains its saturation well after drying. You’ll find the same pigment used in paints with various names, but “Teal” is the pure version of this turquoise color. This paint is quite granular.
Yellow Ochre: PY43 (Transparent & single pigment). This yellow earth pigment is a very useful addition to even a limited palette. I use it all the time. The color remains well saturated even after drying. I have to admit…when I first started watercolors I agonized over my choice of paints. It can be pretty confusing trying to compare different brands, colors, and all the various characteristics of this beautiful art medium. Don’t worry… The paint will slowly dry out, and can easily be re-wetted without any loss of handling quality. Granular paints tend to have a grainy texture when dry. This appearance is due to the uneven distribution of pigment particles on the paper surface. Granular pigments react this way because they are larger, heavier, and more irregular in shape than other small, fine pigments. This is a characteristic of the pigments themselves. How to choose? Prussian Blue: PB27 (Transparent – multiple pigments). This pigment mixes easily with others and I find it great for shading and cool shadows. It produces wonderfully saturated darks. I love this low-key color and I often use it on its own.
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Also, the case is bulky and the colors are close together which causes constant accidental mixing. (Contamination is easily apparent in the lead photo.)There aren't any pans so the paints must be completely used or removed to reuse the box. The hinge is very flimsy, and the case sometimes has trouble remaining flat during use. Raw Sienna: PBr7 (Semi-transparent & single pigment). This color has a similar appearance to Yellow Ochre. One of its distinctive qualities is that you can paint superb glowing skies without giving a green tint to you blue sky wash! If a set showcased a high level of brighteners in more than 75-percent of its colors, I ranked it heavy ;50 to 75-percent earned a rank of moderate ;less than 50-percent ranked light . Quinacridone Burnt Orange: PO48 (Transparent & single pigment). This is a beautiful orange earth color. It has a similar color appearance to burnt sienna, and makes some wonderful colors when mixed with blue. I’m sure there are others, but these are some of the best known paints – although I still believe that Daniel Smith, Winsor and Newton, and M. Graham count as some of the highest quality paint brands. Which Colors to Choose?
Several years ago, I briefly tested a major brand of student grade watercolors. I was very pleased with them so I've often recommended that brand to readers, students, and beginners.However, I've learned a lot since then so I thought it was time to retest my initial impressions to see if there was a another budget watercolor set that could beat it. Blending with these colors is easy, but the effect is a little simple. Unlike with richer liquid watercolors that come in a tube, the blending is subtle and, well, watered down. I couldn’t achieve a good vibrant blend with this palette. The effect does end up being a bit one-dimensional. Winsor & Newton Cotman Water Colours are a range of water colours that are made to our normal high quality standards but costs are kept to an economical level by replacing some of the more costly pigments with less expensive alternatives. For a start, not all brands of paint are available in pans. So if you’re keen on trying some M. Graham paints for example, you simply can’t buy them in pans!
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Beyond pigment, a paint’s texture can make a big difference—some are creamier than others and easier to blend with water. The texture can also affect how the paint goes on the canvas (or any other material).
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